Clare man fails in murder appeal

An appeal brought by a Clare man against his conviction for the murder of his former girlfriend in the grounds of a church was dismissed by the Court of Criminal Appeal today.

In June 2006 a jury found Raymond Donovan guilty of strangling Ann Walsh (23) to death in the grounds of St Senan's church, Kilrush, Co Clare, on August 24, 2005.

Donovan (aged 26) New Houses, Cooraclare, received a life sentence from Mr Justice Paul Carney after the jury delivered a unanimous guilty verdict following a seven-day trial at the Central Criminal Court.

Donovan denied the charge.

Today the CCA of Ms Justice Fidelma Macken presiding, sitting with Mr Justice Declan Budd and Mr Justice Brian McGovern, rejected Donovan's appeal against his conviction.