Murder accused described killing to gardaí, court hears

A murder accused told gardaí how he put a length of wire around the neck of the victim while his co-accused was squeezing her neck.

In the Central Criminal Court today the jury in the trial of Mr Brian Walsh and Mr Thomas Penkert for the murder of Ms Nora Kiely in Cork city in 2002 were shown video recordings of the interrogation of Brian Walsh.

The jury heard Mr Walsh say he grabbed the victim by one arm while his co-accused held her other arm and "Thomas [Penkert] pushed her onto the bed".

When asked "did you squeeze her neck with your hands?" the accused replied: "No, I used the wire".

Along with Mr Thomas Penkert (aged 20), Brian Walsh (aged 24) is accused of the murder of Ms Nora Kiely (aged 46) at her flat in Leitrim St., Cork city on July 15, 2002.

They have both pleaded not guilty to the murder charge but pleaded guilty to the theft of less than €20 and two items of jewelry from Ms Kiely on that date.

Relatives of Ms Kiely from Cork who were present in court for yesterday's proceedings cried as they listened to details of the killing.

The trial continues tomorrow.