Fatal shot to chest fired from distance of 4ft

A murder trial has heard that the cause of death of Patricia Kierans, a mother of four, was a shotgun injury to the chest.

Oliver Kierans, aged 57, of Drumbannon, Bailieborough in Cavan, has pleaded not guilty to murdering wife Patricia Kierans, aged 54, on September 5, 2013, at the same address.

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