Man was shot in head sleeping next to girlfriend, court hears

A man was shot twice in the head as he lay sleeping beside his girlfriend, the prosecution claimed this morning at the trial of a Cavan man accused of murder.

Trevor McCabe (aged 34), Mountpleasant, Ballyconnell, Co Cavan has pleaded not guilty to murdering Darren McGrath in Belturbet, Co Cavan on May 20 last year.

Opening the prosecution case, Anthony Sammon SC told the court that the case involves the allegation that the accused murdered Darren McGrath by shooting him while he was in bed, asleep, beside his partner, at 5am in his home in Belturbet.

The court will hear evidence from Mr McGrath’s partner, Nicole Lennon.

Mr Sammon said that Mr McGrath and Ms Lennon’s thirteen-month old daughter was also in the house, asleep in another room, at the time of the alleged murder.

His brother was also in the house, as were two other men.

The court will also hear of a car that was found in the North, which the prosecution say was being used by Mr McCabe on the day of the alleged murder.

The court will hear that Mr McCabe rented a house in Dromore, Co Tyrone shortly after the alleged murder.

Mr Sammon said: “From the earliest stages of the investigation into this outrage there was immediate suspicion of the accused.”

The court will hear that Mr McCabe was arrested seven days after the alleged murder.

The trial continues.