Woman ‘stabbed partner’ four times

A jury has heard how a woman accused of murdering her partner in Co Louth last year allegedly stabbed the deceased four times with a large kitchen knife.

Paula Farrell, aged 42, with an address at Rathmullen Park, Drogheda, Co Louth is charged with murdering Wayne McQuillan, aged 30, at her home on January 1, 2014.

On Monday at the Central Criminal Court, Ms Farrell pleaded not guilty to murdering Mr McQuillan.

In his opening speech, Gerard Clarke, prosecuting, told the jury that in the early hours of January 1, 2014, Ms Farrell allegedly killed the deceased by stabbing him four times with a “large kitchen knife”.

The court heard that Ms Farrell and Mr McQuillan who was known as “Quilly” had been in a relationship for a year and he was 10 years younger than her and lived with his parents.

“You will hear from Mr McQuillan’s mother that when the two started going out, he stayed one night a week but that increased. Ms Farrell had a young son of seven years of age living with her,” said Mr Clarke.

Mr Clarke said the couple regularly “overindulged” in drink and particularly on this night in question which was New Year’s Eve.

Mr Clarke said an argument then broke out between the pair at Ms Farrell’s home in the early hours of the morning of January 1 2014.

Garda Dave O’Leary told the jury he found two knives in the sink, one larger than the other which he then took possession of.

Derek Kenneally, defending, asked Garda Dave O’Leary did he notice a trouser belt of some sort on the floor of the living room in the house which the garda agreed with.

The court then heard from Garda O’Leary how the kitchen at Rathmullen Park showed signs of disturbance including the bottom of a cooker out of place, part of a light switch broken as well as a set of salt cellars on the floor.

The trial continues.