Valentine’s card sent to murder suspect read out to jury

A jury has been shown a Valentine’s card allegedly sent to the woman charged with murdering the sender by driving him into a harbour, where he drowned. The court also heard that she had denied driving into the water deliberately.

Marta Herda, aged 29, of Pairc Na Saile, Emoclew Road, Arklow, Co Wicklow, is charged with the murder of Csaba Orsas, aged 31, on March 26, 2013.

The Polish waitress has pleaded not guilty at the Central Criminal Court to murdering the Hungarian at South Quay, Arklow. Both had worked at Brook Lodge Hotel in Aughrim.

Garda Anthony Crehan testified that he had taken a voluntary statement from the accused, in which she said that the deceased had been in love with her but that she had told him that they couldn’t ever have a relationship.

She gave the garda a Valentine’s card that she had received from the deceased.

Garda Crehan held it up in the witness box so the jury could see. He explained that it had pink roses in a vase on the front of the card and included the words, ‘Thinking of you’, printed inside. A love heart had been drawn around this, he said.

He then read what had been handwritten on both sides of the card.

“LOVE LETTER!” “Dear Marta, I would just like to tell you in letters how much I love you. Seriously, I feel that I find you finally, the girl I was looking for in all my life. I wish to share my life with only you.”

Gda Crehan explained that Marta was then spelled out, with a love heart drawn around each letter.

“I’m ready to do anything for you. I can change all my bad habits for the way you wish. Millions of kisses.

“Thinking of you in every second. I love you Marta. I can promise that I will be the best husband and you will never regret it.”

A phone number was given and a smiley face drawn before the final words: “I’m mad about you”.

The card was dated and timed, 21/5/12, 22.54.

The accused woman’s former boyfriend, Eamon Ibrahim, also gave evidence.

He testified that she had been suspicious of his former girlfriends and “maybe a bit jealous”.

He was asked how she was with other men while they were together.

“She got on with other men,” he replied.

He was also asked about her swimming ability and he described it as good.

The trial continues today.