Accused’s DNA was not found on knife

A knife that was allegedly used to kill a man did not have the accused’s DNA on it when examined by a forensic scientist, 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, aged 27, at Hollyville Heights in Wexford Town on January 25, 2012.

Stephen Clifford, a DNA expert at the State Forensic Science Laboratory, told Gerard Clarke, prosecuting, that he examined a knife and a baton that were found at the scene. He said they were given to him by gardaí from Wexford Garda Station along with DNA swabs from Mr Connors and Mr Ryan.

Dr Clifford said that the knife contained DNA which matched Mr Ryan’s DNA. Two other samples were found but they did not match the DNA of Mr Connors.

Speaking to Michael Delaney, defending, Dr Clifford agreed that the longer a person holds on to an item, the more likely they are to transfer their DNA to that item.

Dr Clifford also examined samples from the baton found at the scene. He said he took blood samples from the handle and middle of the baton that matched Mr Ryan’s DNA.

He agreed with Mr Delaney that this blood could have come from Mr Ryan’s hands after he touched his wounds.

He said he detected two other DNA profiles on the baton but these were incomplete and therefore he was not able to make any judgment as to whom they belonged to. He said none of the DNA found on the baton matched the DNA of Mr Connors.

Justice Margaret Heneghan told the jury that there will be no more evidence given in the trial and the prosecution will begin its summary today.