Shotgun murder accused was ‘wobbly’ from drink

A barman has told a murder trial that the accused man aimed a sawn-off shotgun at a garda the same day his wife went missing.

Oliver Kierans, aged 57, of Drumbannon, Bailieboro, Co Cavan has pleaded not guilty to murdering Patricia Kierans on September 5 at that address.

He also pleaded not guilty to unlawful possession of a 12 gauge double barrel shotgun and not guilty to possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life.

Taking to the stand, barman Richard Quinn of The Squire bar confirmed with Michael O’Higgins SC prosecuting that he knew both Oliver and Patricia.

Mr O’Higgins read from a statement by Mr Quinn which said that after Patricia and Oliver separated, Oliver had given up drinking.

The court heard that on September 1, the accused began drinking again and was “very wobbly” on September 5.

Mr Quinn confirmed that the accused asked for a pint and said “its not easy — there is going to be big news in this town tomorrow”.

After finishing work at six o’clock, the jury heard that Mr Quinn found the accused sitting downstairs in the nightclub section.

After leaving and returning with Garda Tommy Fay, the jury heard that the accused told him “Tommy, please leave”.

Mr Quinn confirmed the accused had remained seated as he reached for a sawn-off shotgun, raised it to his head and aimed it at Garda Fay saying “please Tommy, go, please leave”.

Under cross-examination by Anthony Sammon SC defending, Mr Quinn agreed that Oliver Kierans was an alcoholic.

He described the accused as “very upbeat” throughout the period he was no longer drinking.

Mr Sammon confirmed that in a statement to gardai, Mr Quinn said that on September 5 Oliver Kierans was the drunkest he had ever seen him. “Olly can hold his drink very well and that day he was very wobbly.”

Mr Quinn confirmed that the accused was “depressed” because of his son, who he was very close to, moving to Australia.

The court heard from a local delivery man, John Gerraghty, who said he saw Oliver Kierans on the same day.

“I made my delivery as normal to the back of the pub. I was just on my way back up and nearly at top of the entrance and seen Oliver Kierans coming up. He had the head down and just walked past. thought he might have waved at me or said hello but he said nothing.”

The trial continues.