Accused stabbed man in a ‘rage’

The man charged with the murder of archaeologist Emmett Connolly initially told gardaí in an interview he panicked and stabbed the deceased after a fight but later told them he had stabbed Mr Connolly in a “rage”, a jury has heard.

Kevin Moran, aged 30, of Lodgeview, Coothill, Co Cavan, but originally from Shankill in Dublin, is charged with the murder of Emmet Connolly, aged 32, at Lodgeview, Cootehill on September 29, 2013.

When asked how he pleaded to the charge when the trial opened on Monday, Mr Moran, a widowed father-of-three said “not guilty. Not guilty of murder, guilty of manslaughter”. This plea was not accepted by the DPP.