Murder accused claims sexual abuse

A woman accused of murdering her partner told a jury yesterday that she started drinking at 14 to “block” out being sexually abused as a child.

Paula Farrell, aged 42, of Rathmullen Park, Drogheda, Co Louth, has pleaded not guilty to murdering Wayne McQuillan, aged 30, at her home on January 1, 2014.

Ms Farrell yesterday toldthe Central Criminal Court she was sexually abused by a named man from the age of seven and did not tell anyone about it until she was 14.