Prosecution finishes evidence in murder trial

The prosecution has finished calling evidence in the trial of a retired army private accused of murdering a prostitute who he claimed blackmailed him for up to €40,000.

Jimmy Devaney, a 66-year-old father of three, of Millbrook Avenue, Monksland, Athlone, has pleaded not guilty at the Central Criminal Court to murdering Marie Greene in Westmeath on February 13, 2011.

The court has heard that the deceased, who was working as a prostitute, was last seen alive on the evening of February 13 and her body was found in Anagorta Bog near Ballykieran outside Athlone nine days later.