Man with 'distinct limp' bought car used in alleged murder, court hears

The trial of a man accused of murder has heard that a man with a “distinct limp” bought a black Honda Civic two weeks before the alleged murder in Belturbet, Co Cavan.

The jury at the Central Criminal Court has previously heard that the accused man walked with a limp because of a motorcycle injury and that he was seen at a filling station in a black Honda Civic in Enniskillen, Co Fermanagh hours before the alleged murder.

Trevor McCabe (aged 34), Mountpleasant, Ballyconnell, Co Cavan has pleaded not guilty to murdering Darren McGrath (aged 33) in Belturbet, Co Cavan on May 20, last year.

It is the prosecution’s case that Mr McCabe shot Mr McGrath as he slept.

They say that Mr McCabe entered the house with a shotgun at approximately 5am, shot Mr McGrath twice, and then drove off.

A statement on behalf of Niall McNulty was read to the court.

The court heard that Mr McNulty is the director of car sales dealership in Enniskillen.

On May 7 last year a man with a “distinct limp” who said his name was Trevor bought a black Honda Civic from Mr McNulty, the court heard.

Previously, the court has heard from Gda Shane Dempsey, who told the court that he viewed a number of CCTV clips.

He said that the clip taken from Lakeside Filling Station on the morning of May 20 showed a black Honda Civic enter the forecourt and Mr McCabe alighting from the car.

Further CCTV footage was shown, including a clip from outside the Harbour Bar in Belturbet at 4.39am on May 20, last year.

Gda Dempsey said that the footage shows: “In my opinion, a black Honda Civic pass by, heading in the direction of Belturbet.”

He said that footage taken from the Gala filling station outside Belturbet shows a “small, dark-coloured car” driving by at 4.44am on the same morning.

The prosecution case is expected to close tomorrow.