Accused ‘told garda he burned bloody top’

A man accused of murdering his ex-girlfriend’s partner set fire to a blood-stained hoodie he had been wearing on the night of the fatal fight, the Central Criminal Court heard yesterday.

James Connors, aged 29, of Rosemount, Drinagh, Co Wexford, has pleaded not guilty to the murder of Jason Ryan, 27, at Hollyville Heights in Wexford Town on January 25, 2012.

Detective Garda Alan Byrne told the court he interviewed Mr Connors at Wexford Garda Station on the afternoon of January 28, 2012. He said that, in the course of that interview, Mr Connors said he had forgotten to wash the hoodie when he washed the rest of his clothes following the fatal stabbing.