Killing of infant was 'bizzare in the extreme', court hears

The killing of an 18-month infant was "bizarre in the extreme" but the guilt of the accused man depended on whether or not the act was voluntary, a murder trial jury heard today.

Opening the defence case, Mr Patrick Marrinan SC, said the accused man, John Reilly, is "somebody who is not thought to be capable" of doing what he is accused of - murdering infant Oisin Reilly-Murphy.

"To this day" counsel said, the accused man does not accept that he killed Oisin, but that the "stance he has taken" is that the evidence points to him.

Mr Marrinan told the jury it was the first time in 25 years that he has made an opening address for the defence and that the entire nature of the trial is extremely unusual.

"What we are presented with is the irrational, the bizarre," he said.

There was nothing to suggest a motive or reason "but maybe there is an explanation."

Counsel said the Central Criminal Court will hear evidence from an eminent neurologist, a psychiatrist, and experts in sleep disorders and the effects of alcohol.

He said the neurologist would outline for the jury the state of automatism, where the mind and body are detached.

John Reilly (32) of Crooksling, Brittas, Co Dublin has pleaded not guilty to the murder of Oisin Reilly- Murphy of Manor Kilbride, Co Wicklow on 5 June 2000 at Kiltalown Road, Jobstown, Tallaght, Co Dublin.

The court has heard that the infant was stabbed to death in the sitting room of his uncle’s house where the accused had spent the night.

The court has also heard that the accused, a former Irish Army Ranger and former UN sanctions inspector in Iraq, was drinking and playing cards with the child’s parents and two other adults hours before the killing occurred.

The trial continues.