Murder accused cried to gardaí

A murder accused started crying and admitted to stabbing his girlfriend when gardaí confronted him about inconsistencies in what he had told them.

Darren Murphy of Dan Desmond Villas, Passage West, Co Cork has pleaded not guilty to the murder of Olivia Dunlea, 36, at Pembroke Crescent, Passage West, Co Cork on February 17, 2013. He has pleaded guilty to her manslaughter but his plea was not accepted by the DPP.

Sergeant Anthony Harrington told prosecuting counsel Thomas Creed SC that he took a statement from Mr Murphy the day after Ms Dunlea’s body was found inside her burning home. Mr Murphy told gardaí he had been out for between seven to 10 pints with Olivia in the Rochestown Inn. When they went to Olivia’s house they had a “heated” row so he went home and only found out about the fire when Olivia’s sister called him.