Murder accused: Victim was 'love of my life'

A Romanian man has denied murdering his ex-girlfriend in Sandyford in Dublin just over a year ago, telling the Central Criminal Court, she was the love of his life.

Mihalace Marian has told the jury he was in a relationship with Loradena Prisjan for 13 years, and had planned to move to Ireland to be with her.

Giving evidence through an interpreter he described coming to Ireland to see Ms Prisjan, who worked in a Ballsbridge nursing home.

The 49 year-old, who is a trained lawyer, said he met Ms Prisjan off a bus and returned with her to his accommodation at the Irish management institute.

He repeatedly told the jury "we were happy", saying Ms Prisjan told him she did not love another man.

Asked know how the 35 year-old nurse suffered two cut wounds on her throat, he replied: "I can't say what happened".

Mr Marian described how the victim had instead cut him, and asked whether he had the courage to end her life.

The accused described Ms Prisjan as the love of his life, and in a pre-prepared statement read to the jury said: "I love her, even if the others don't understand me."