Murder accused told mother ‘I did it’

The mother of a Limerick man accused of murdering an elderly man with a sweeping brush said he was in tears as he admitted he did it.

Christopher McNamara, aged 21, of Good Shepherd Villas, Pennywell Rd, Limerick, has pleaded not guilty to murdering James Boyce, aged 71, at St Munchin’s St, St Mary’s Park, Limerick, on Mar 6/7, 2011.

In a statement read to the jury by Micheál O’Higgins SC, prosecuting, mother of the accused, Pauline Whelan, was giving an account of the days following the death of James Boyce.

“On Sunday Mar 6, I overheard Christopher on the phone to Mr Boyce telling him he would be over to fix the fire.”

“I woke at 9am the next morning and Christy rang to say he had a surprise for me. He had a new 42 inch television. When I asked where he got the money for it, he said he had robbed two building sites.”

The statement went on to say Christopher had said “who murdered Jimmy” when he heard a murder inquiry had begun and “was very stunned when he heard there was a murder inquiry”.

“I told him I heard the coffin was closed and said: ‘Did you do it son?’ He said: ‘I did mam but I didn’t do that to the man.’ He was crying.

“I said why and he said he didn’t know why he did it. I asked him was there anyone else involved and he said no.

“He said he choked him with the handle of a sweeping brush. He showed me with the motion of his hands pushing.”

Autopsy results showed Mr Boyce was the victim of an assault.

The trial continues.