Murder accused was ‘scared for her life’

A woman accused of murdering her partner last year has given evidence in her trial that she was “scared for her life” when the deceased began “strangling” her “to death” before she got a knife and stabbed him.

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

Two weeks ago at the Central Criminal Court, Ms Farrell pleaded not guilty to murdering Mr McQuillan.