Closing arguments in Carlow murder trial

A jury at the trial of a Laois man accused of murdering his ex-girlfriend today heard closing speeches by the prosecution and the defence.

Gordon Molloy (aged 24), Ballinakill, Ballickmoyler, Co. Laois has pleaded not guilty to murdering Ciara Ni Chathmhaoil (aged 22) at her home in Ardmore Gardens, Carlow, on November 12, 2007.

It is the prosecution’s case that Ms Ni Chathmhaoil’s death was the “culmination of drink and jealousy.”

The court has previously heard that the accused and Ms Ni Chathmhaoil had met two years previously and had separated five weeks prior to her death.

Mr Molloy found out that she had met another man the evening before her death, the court has heard.

He told gardaí that he went to Ms Ni Chathmhaoil’s house after having been drinking in Carlow and that she returned home at approximately 8am.

They had an argument and he picked up a knife and stabbed her, the court has heard.

A consultant psychiatrist told the jury that the accused man suffers from a borderline personality disorder, which was enough to “substantially diminish” his responsibility for the killing.

Today prosecuting counsel Patrick McCarthy SC told the jury that Mr Molloy killed Ms Ni Chathmhaoil because of a “jealous, drunken rage.”

Patrick O’Connell SC, defending, said that there was “ample evidence” to find that Mr Molloy was “substantially suffering from a mental disorder and that his responsibility was substantially diminished at that time.”

The jury will retire on Monday morning to consider its verdict.