Prosecution finish in German tourist murder case

The evidence against a Louth labourer accused of the murder of German journalist Bettina Poeschel was "overwhelming" against the accused, a jury at the Central Criminal court heard today.

In his closing speech, prosecution counsel Mr Denis Vaughan Buckley SC told the jury of seven men and five women that "the evidence that you heard in this case has overwhelming evidence against the accused".

He also said that a comment by the accused, Mr Michael Murphy, amounted to "an admission that the accused took the life of Bettina Poeschel".

Mr Murphy (42) has pleaded not guilty to the murder of Bettina Poeschel (28) at Donore, Co Meath on a date on or between September 25 and October 17, 2001.

During his period of detention at Drogheda Garda Station after his arrest on October 27, Murphy allegedly said to detectives: "Just tell that girl's parents I'm sorry for taking her life and for what I did to her. I'm so so sorry".

"That is an admission, I would submit, that the accused took the life of Bettina Poeschel," said Mr Vaughan Buckley this morning.

He recalled a second comment by the accused when asked by detectives how he killed Poeschel: "I don't want to say anything else, I'm just so sorry about it".

"You can infer guilt from that," added Mr Vaughan Buckley.

The closing statement from the defence counsel, Mr Patrick MacEntee SC is expected to be heard this afternoon. Ms Poeschel's younger sister Cornelia and her father were present in court today.