Man: I would have told gardaí anything

A man has told his murder trial that he would have said anything to get his garda interviews finished when he described the woman he killed as "a complication".

Robert Corbet said he lost self-control and couldn’t stop gripping Aoife Phelan around her neck after she threatened to ruin his life.

Mr Corbet, aged 25, of Capoley, Sheffield Cross, Co Laois, has pleaded not guilty to murdering Ms Phelan, aged 30, at Capoley. He has admitted her manslaughter between October 25 and November 7.

Mr Corbet said yesterday he was in his garage with Ms Phelan on October 25.

“I asked her straight out about the pregnancy and an argument broke out.

“She started making threats that she’d ruin my life and my business if I didn’t face up to what would be a pregnancy.”

He said he caught her around her neck with his right forearm, they fell, and he kept his grip. “I released it at one stage. I hit her on the back of her head and then I resumed my grip around her neck. I don’t know how long for.”

Under cross-examination, he said he was suicidal when interviewed by gardaí. He agreed with gardaí Ms Phelan had been a complication and a barrier to him getting back with his ex-girlfriend.