Architect to go on trial for O’Hara murder

Architect Graham Dwyer, who is accused of the murder of Elaine O’Hara, has been sent forward for trial after he was served with an eight-volume book of evidence.

Mr Dwyer, who is originally from Bandon, Co Cork, but with an address at Kerrymount Close, Foxrock, Dublin, is accused of the murder of Elaine O’Hara, 37, in Co Dublin on Aug 22, 2012.

Her remains were discovered on Killakee mountain, Rathfarnham, in September, more than a year after she was last seen.

The 41-year-old married father of two was charged on Oct 18 and, when asked if he had anything to say, he had replied: “I do, not guilty.” He was subsequently refused bail and yesterday he appeared again at Cloverhill District Court, where Judge Victor Blake was told that the book of evidence would be served.

Mr Dwyer, whose father attended the proceedings, was wearing a navy suit, sat on the defendant’s bench before he turned and smiled towards the back of the courtroom. He then said “morning” to the judge.

Detective Sergeant Peter Woods served the book of evidence on the accused, who was then given the standard warning by the judge that if he intended to use an alibi in his defence he must notify the prosecution within 14 days.

Mr Dwyer replied “understood” and the judge then told him that he was making an order sending him forward for trial to the present sittings of the Central Criminal Court in respect of the single charge in the book of evidence.

Judge Blake said Mr Dwyer had already been granted legal aid and defence solicitor Jonathan Dunphy said that, in relation to this issue, there had been no change.

Solicitor Ronan O’Brien, for the DPP, asked for a Section 56 order to be made in relation to providing the defence with video evidence. However, this has already been complied with, said Mr Dunphy.

The judge noted that the book of evidence was made up of eight volumes, and the court heard that one of them contained statements and the other seven involved the exhibits.

At a previous hearing, the prosecution had said the file on the case was quite large: Gardaí had taken more than 300 statements and have in excess of 800 exhibits, the court was also told.

In November, the district court had ruled that Mr Dwyer could be granted legal aid as he is no longer on a salary and a mortgage on his family home was in arrears.

Ms O’Hara, a childcare worker from Killiney, in Dublin, who also had a part-time job in a news-agents, was last seen at around 6.15pm on Aug 22, 2012, near Shanganagh cemetery in south Dublin, where her mother is buried.

Her remains were found in undergrowth by a woman walking her dog on Sept 13 on Killakee mountain. A bag containing several items belonging to her were found near Roundwood, Co Wicklow, at different times in the days before and after the discovery of her body.

The opening of an inquest into Ms O’Hara’s death heard that no cause of death has been established and the inquest has been adjourned until the outcome of criminal proceedings.