Murder accused denies shaking baby

A man accused of murdering his ex-fiancée’s baby seven years ago denied losing his temper and shaking the child, a court has heard.

Philip Doyle (aged 34) of Tinakilly, Aughrim, Co Wicklow has pleaded not guilty at the Central Criminal Court to murdering three-and-a-half-month-old Ross Murphy at Creagh Demesne, Gorey, Co Wexford on April 5, 2005.

The jury has been watching videos of Garda interviews with the accused after he was arrested on April 27, 2005.

In a fourth interview, gardaí put it to Mr Doyle that State Pathologist Professor Marie Farrell said injuries were consistent with vigorous shaking of the baby.

The painter and decorator was asked if he would agree with Prof Cassidy and whether he shook the baby but he denied that he had.

Mr Doyle, who has two children of his own from a previous relationship, also denied losing his temper with the child and told gardaí he did not let him fall.

He was also asked if something had fallen on the baby’s head to which he replied: “No, definitely not.”

Mr Doyle told gardaí in earlier interviews that the baby was swinging his head from side to side and vomiting.

The trial has previously heard the accused told gardaí in a later interview that he tripped on the corner of a mat and fell on a timber floor with the child in his arms.

Mr Doyle originally told gardaí the baby’s mother Leona Murphy was in the house at the time the baby became ill on April 3, 2005.

Inspector Sean Clince told the court he formed the opinion Mr Doyle was alone with the child when the baby suffered his injures.

He said he suspected Mr Doyle was responsible for the injuries to the baby and he was arrested at 7.55am on April 27, 2005.

The court heard he was arrested on suspicion of assault causing harm to Ross Murphy on April 3, 2005.

When he was arrested Insp Clince said Mr Doyle had nothing to say and was taken to Gorey Garda Station.

He said he was taken to an interview room with Detective Garda Ian Hayes and was given a notice of his rights including his right to see and solicitor with whom he had at least one consultation.

The court has heard the baby was initially taken to Wexford General Hospital on March 31, 2005 because he was ‘lifeless’ and getting sick on the bed.

The baby was kept in for observation because of a rash on his neck and released on Sunday April 3 but returned to the hospital that evening in cardiac arrest.

He was rushed to Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital Crumlin in the early hours of the next morning but died the next day.

The trial continues before a jury of six men and five women on Tuesday presided over by Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy.