Riedo inquest jury says students should avoid shortcut

A jury at the inquest into the death of Swiss teenager Manuela Riedo has recommended that no student should ever walk the line between Ceannt Station and Renmore in Galway city alone.

The jury of six men and two women has returned a unanimous verdict of unlawful killing of the 17-year-old at her inquest at Galway courthouse.

The inquest heard witness statements from her best friend, her teacher, her host family, gardaí and the man who found her body.

Her parents Hans and Arlette Riedo were not in court.

Martin Tierney, of 136 Renmore Park, was in court today and agreed with Galway West Coroner Dr Ciaran McLoughlin that he advised Manuela against walking the line alone at night.

State Pathologist Dr Marie Cassidy told the inquest that she was of the opinion that Manuela's death was due to neck compression and there was a sexual connotation to her death.

The jury returned a unanimous verdict of unlawful killing and recommended that no student should ever walk the line alone, at any time.

Gerald Barry was convicted of her murder in March and given a life sentence.