Man admits hitting and tying up murdered pensioner

A 30-year-old Sligo man accused of murdering a pensioner in his home told gardaí he hit him and tied him up.

The jury heard the claims while watching interviews with the accused during his detention at Sligo Garda Station.

Simon McGinley, of Connaughton Rd, Sligo, has pleaded not guilty to murder but has admitted the manslaughter of Eugene Gillespie, 67, in Sligo on September 22, 2012.

He has pleaded guilty to the false imprisonment of Mr Gillespie and trespass to commit robbery at his home in Old Market St on September 19, 2012.

The Central Criminal Court heard the manslaughter plea was not accepted by the State and a jury was sworn in for the trial.

The accused told gardaí that on the day in question he bought cans and went to “sign on” at the Garda barracks at 10pm.

McGinley said he walked towards Old Market St by himself, that he bought diazepam and was “drinking with the winos” at a car park.

He said walked up to Mr Gillespie’s house, went through the gate and “up around the back”.

“There was a rivet copper tank there. I seen the back door open. I thought there was nobody in the house,” he told gardaí.

When gardaí asked him if he knew the man, he said: “I know him to see. I didn’t know his name. I didn’t mean anything to happen that man.”

When asked how many times he hit him, the accused said: “One or two. It could be more. I don’t know.”

The accused told gardaí Mr Gillespie did not speak to him. “I tied his hands. I put a blanket or something under his head. I said ‘you’ll be all right. I’ll ring the guards’,” said McGinley.

He said he looked for money downstairs but did not find any so he went upstairs and got €60 in coins, but no notes.

McGinley told gardaí he went straight home to his caravan and burned his clothes.

He told them he rang them on Thursday.

When asked by gardaí who made the 999 call, he replied: “Me, I took 25 valium.” He said there was no one with him when he made the call.

He said he was in court that day and he thought he would be locked up.

“I thought I was getting locked up so I took diazepam. I was in court.”

The trial continues.