Murder accused at deceased’s birthday

A murder trial jury has seen a video of the deceased celebrating his birthday with the woman alleged to have murdered him by driving him into a harbour, where he drowned.

The video was played to the Central Criminal Court yesterday on the seventh day of the 29-year-old’s trial.

Marta Herda, of Pairc Na Saile, Emoclew Rd, Arklow, Co Wicklow, has pleaded not guilty to the murder of Csaba Orsos, aged 31, on March 26, 2013, at South Quay, Arklow.

Mr Orsos’ brother, Zoltan Sandor, testified yesterday that he and his family had celebrated Mr Orsos’ birthday at his home in July 2012.

He was shown a video of the celebration in court. Ms Herda could be seen sitting at the table next to Mr Orsos as he blew out the candles on his cake.

Mr Sandor agreed with the defence that he (Mr Sondors) could be heard telling Ms Herda that she was the present or something similar. He was also asked if Ms Herda could be heard replying that she had come to the house to warn Mr Orsos that his manager knew he had lied when he had rung in sick.

“My English at this time is 50/50,” he replied, indicating that he couldn’t be sure what she had said.

The jury heard that Ms Herda had pointed to the bride’s and groom’s seats at a wedding, telling Mr Orsos: “This will be us one day.” The evidence was given by their colleague, Martin Penn.

Under cross-examination by the defence, he accepted that this could have been a line that Mr Orsos had used many times.

Katryna Sobek testified that she had known Ms Herda for four years by 2013.

The Polish woman said Ms Herda and Mr Orsos had been friends but that he had fallen in love with her and problems had started. She said Ms Herda had complained to her about him ‘many times’.

The court later heard from the man with whom Ms Herda spent the hours before the incident. Viktor Szentesi said he hadn’t been in a relationship with her, but agreed that they used to kiss.

The Hungarian said he and Ms Herda had gone to his apartment around midnight. He said she insisted on going home around 5am. He drove her home in her car and then walked the 25 minutes back to his home.

He said there were several missed calls on his phone when he arrived home and he called her back.

“She asked was I OK, had I got home,” he said. “She was looking for me.” He said there was loud music where she was and that he figured she was in her car.

He agreed with the defence

that he had told gardaí that Mr Orsos had been stalking her, but that she had refused his help in sorting it.

The trial continues.