Murder accused pleads not guilty

A jury in a murder trial has heard that the accused told gardaí he would "do 15 to 20 years knowing that it is over" when referring to the death of Shane Rossiter in 2012.

Maurice Power, aged 31, of Dranganbeg, Kilmoyler, Cahir, has pleaded not guilty to murdering Shane Rossiter, 29, in Co Tipperary on October 17 more than one year ago.

The court heard that the accused told gardaí in interview that he had “decided to keep him [Mr Rossiter] close” and that he “didn’t want to show the fear”.

When asked if any effort could have been made to repair the relationship, the accused said “this was going on years. I should be dead five times over.”

Questioned as to whether he had come face to face with Mr Rossiter before he died, the accused said: ” I didn’t disguise my face. I was wearing a hood.”

Asked whether or not the accused regretted anything, he replied: “No. I didn’t want to be looking over my shoulder. I would either do 15 to 20 years knowing that it is over and feeling the way that I did.”

“I spent my whole life arguing and now its done. The way it is, he is dead, people can get on with their lives.”

The trial continues before a jury with Ms Justice Deirdre Murphy presiding.