Closing speeches being heard in Noble trial

Defence closing speeches are expected to conclude today as the trial of a man and woman accused of murdering her violent partner enters its final stages at the Central Criminal Court.

Defence closing speeches are expected to conclude tomorrow as the trial of a man and woman accused of murdering her violent partner enters its final stages at the Central Criminal Court.

Jacqui Noble (aged 38) of Knowth Court, Ballymun, Dublin 11, and Paul Hopkins (aged 24) of Sillogue Road, Ballymun, both deny the murder of Derek Benson (aged 33) at Sandy Hill Avenue, Ballymun, on May 13 2000.

Today, Mr Tom O’Connell SC, closing for the prosecution, told the jury there was no defence in this case.

Evidence that Jacqui Noble "had a dog’s life at the hands of Derek Benson" was no justification for getting him killed, he said. "On this night, there was no attack on Ms Noble" as the killing was "coldly planned two days beforehand."

He concluded: "The prosecution asks you to bring in a verdict of guilty in relation to Mr Hopkins and Ms Noble."

Ms Isobel Kennedy, for Paul Hopkins, told the jury that the prosecution’s assertion that there was no defence in the case was "absolutely absurd". She said the defence of self-defence was clearly open to Mr Hopkins.

He did not go to the flat with the intention of killing the deceased, but to frighten him. She reminded the jury of the evidence in which the accused man said he was afraid of Derek Benson. The deceased had threatened to burn his girlfriend and baby daughter "after he was finished with them".

Ms Kennedy said Derek Benson should not have been killed. But she reminded the jury to look at the character of Derek Benson and that of Mr Hopkins who, up to this, had never been in trouble with the gardaí who themselves described the accused as "a decent fellow from a decent family".

In contrast, she asked the jury to recall evidence from the deceased’s mother who testified having been told her son was "violent and evil". For a mother to accept that is deeply shocking, Ms Kennedy submitted.

The evidence suggested Mr Benson was not only a violent man with a nasty temper, one known to carry blades, but who was also suspected of child sexual abuse.

Counsel asked the jury to consider how that may have operated on Paul Hopkin’s mind, given that the focus of his life was his 18-month old daughter.

Counsel for Jacqui Noble will begin closing tomorrow.