Kerry man pleads not guilty to murder of taxi driver

A Co Kerry man has pleaded not guilty at the Central Criminal Court to the murder of a Co Clare taxi driver.

However Anthony Kelly (aged 54), of Emlagh na Muck, Emlagh More, Waterville, Kilarney admitted to six other charges including robbing hackney driver Liam Moloney (aged 56), of car and house keys, a pocket knife, a wallet and €10 in cash.

He also admitted taking a motor vehicle and damaging it by fire to it on the same date on February 11, 2005.

Kelly also pleaded guilty to going to Barrack Close, Barrack Street in Ennis, County Clare with the intent to commit theft, and to the possession of a sharp object, namely a knife as well as an axe and a machete in a public place on the same date.

Finally Kelly, who appeared in court dressed in a dark grey suit, pleaded guilty to the possession of a sawn off shotgun in Co Kerry on the later date of February 24, 2005 giving rise to the inference that he did not have it in his possession for a lawful purpose.

Mr Moloney's body was discovered on farmland near the village of Ruan in Co Clare.

A jury of five men and seven women has now been sworn in for the trial of Kelly on the charge of murder, which he denies.

Speaking ahead of today’s arraignment proceedings, Mr Brendan Grehan SC told Mr Justice Paul Carney that this was a case in which the matter of diminished responsibility would be raised.

The case is due to go ahead on Wednesday morning and is expected to last until next week.