Weapon found next to body of pensioner

A court heard that the body of a pensioner covered in scratches was found by gardaí with what was believed to be the murder weapon lying nearby.

Christopher McNamara, of Good Shepherd Villas, Pennywell Rd, Limerick, has pleaded not guilty to the murder of James Boyce, aged 71, at St Munchins Street, St Mary’s Park, between Mar 6 and 7, 2011.

A statement given by the garda who discovered the body of Mr Boyce was read out at a murder trial at the Central Criminal Court yesterday.