Legal argument continues in murder case

Legal argument in the absence of the jury continued today at the Central Criminal Court trial of two men accused of murdering a woman in her Cork city flat.

Thomas Penkert (aged 21) and Brian Walsh (aged 22), with an address at Leitrim St in Cork have pleaded not guilty to the murder of Ms Nora Kiely (aged 46) on July 15 , 2002.

Ms Kiely - described in court as a private person who was always well-dressed - was found strangled in her flat, naked from the waist down with a small black-handled knife under her hand.

The jury has heard that Penkert and Walsh were living in a flat in the block. They have both admitted robbing Ms Kiely of less than 20 euro in cash and two items of jewellery.

The two men have denied a charge that they attempted to enter another flat in the building with intent to inflict grievous bodily harm on another neighbour, Ms Teresa Tatton, on July 15, 2002.

Penkert and Walsh have also pleaded guilty to stealing a blue-handled knife, a tub of butter, some groceries and drinks, and a phone charger from Ms Tatton's address.

Ut they pleaded not guilty to a charge that between July 8 and 14, 2002 they robbed Donal Scannell - another resident of the Leitrim St building - of less than 70 euro in cash.

The two men have denied a charge that they attempted to enter another flat in the building with intent to inflict grievous bodily harm on another neighbour, Ms Teresa Tatton, on July 15, 2002.

Legal argument began on Monday and the jury of six men and six women is expected to return to the trial next week.