Murder trial jury to consider its verdict

A murder trial jury will this afternoon retire to consider its verdict in the case of James Joseph Byrne, the Dublin man accused of the murder of his five year old daughter.

Mr Byrne, 44, of Cromcastle Drive, Coolock, has pleaded not guilty to murdering Nicole Byrne at the family home on 6 July 2000.

During the three-day trial, the jury at the Central Criminal Court heard that Nicole was strangled with a length of pyjama cord. In uncontested garda statements, the accused admitted killing the child.

James Byrne is currently detained in the Central Mental Hospital Dundrum.

The medical director of Dundrum, Dr Charles Smith has told the court that the accused suffered from serious depression before, during and after the killing.