Quinn murder trial begins in Dublin

The trial has begun at the Central Criminal Court of an 18-year-old man, who is accused of murdering a 36-year-old mother-of-two in Kilkenny City two years ago.

Yesterday, Mr Mark Costigan, with an address in Aylesbury Road, Kilkenny, pleaded not guilty to the murder of Christine Quinn on December 5, 2002 at her home on Greenfield Road in the city.

Mrs Quinn’s son, an army private, found his mother dead in her kitchen on his return from his barracks at 4.45pm that afternoon. She had been stabbed 35 times and the blade of a knife had been left in her scalp. Jason Quinn dragged his mother out onto the front lawn where he attempted in vain to resuscitate her.

Mr Alex Owen, SC for the prosecution told the jury of six men and six women that Christine Quinn lived at the house with her two sons, Jason, the army private, and Ronan, a schoolboy. She had a partner, Paul Byrne, and both he and Mrs Quinn were separated from their spouses and in the process of getting divorces.

The court heard that on the day of the killing, Mr Byrne had visited the deceased at lunchtime and had returned to his health-board job at about 1.50pm. Between this time, and the return of Jason Quinn from his barracks, Mr Owen, SC told the jury an intruder came into Christine Quinn’s home and killed her. There was evidence of a struggle in the kitchen and hall, he said. Three separate fires had been lit in the house before the intruder left, one behind the couch in the living room, one beside the victim in the kitchen and one under the stairs. The doors had been shut, but the lack of oxygen meant the house did not burn down.

Mr Owens, SC, told the jury that all the evidence showed the intruder intended to kill or seriously injure the deceased; the only issue to decide was whether Mark Costigan was that intruder.

The prosecution offered a number of ways in which they intend to prove that this is the case. They say Paul Byrne spotted the accused nearby on his way back from lunch. At about 5.25pm, Mark Costigan arrived at "Gamesworld", a 25-minute walk from the Quinn home.

His right hand was concealed and he tendered a bloody €50 note to buy a playstation. The prosecution alleges the accused sustained a severe cut to his right hand during the attack.

The trial continues this afternoon before Mr Justice Michael Peart.