Benson death: Court told of sword find

Gardaí investigating the killing of a Dublin man who was hacked to death recovered a sword in the wardrobe of the home of the accused’s friend, a murder trial has heard.

Detective Garda Andrew O’Keefe was giving evidence at the Central Criminal Court today in the trial of Jacqui Noble and Paul Hopkins who deny the murder of Ms Noble’s former partner, Derek Benson.

The court heard that while in custody, Mr Hopkins told gardaí that after the killing, he asked a friend, Lorna Langan, to keep the sword at her flat at Sillogue Road, Ballymun but did not offer any explanation.

Detective Garda O’Keefe told Mr Tom O’Connell SC, that when gardaí arrived at the flat, they were invited in by Ms Langan’s partner. She arrived some time later and allowed the gardaí to search the flat.

Jacqui Noble (aged 38) of Knowth Court, Ballymun, Dublin and Paul Hopkins (aged 24) Sillogue Road, Ballymun have both pleaded not guilty to the murder of Derek Benson (aged 33) at Sandy Hill Avenue Ballymun on May 13, 2000.

The trial continues.