Man accused of killing infant 'changed story', court hears

A man on trial for murdering his fianceé's baby told gardaí he was too petrified to tell his partner that he fell while holding the infant.

Philip Doyle (aged 34) of Tinakilly, Aughrim, Co. Wicklow denies killing Ross Murphy at his former home in Creagh Desmesne, Gorey, Co Waterford on April 5, 2005.

The court heard that more than three weeks after the infant's death Mr Doyle changed his story, telling detectives that he had tripped on a mat and hit the wooden living room floor while holding baby Ross.

Prior to this he hadd insisted that Ross had seemed fine that evening, until he returned from putting on the kettle to find the baby lying limp on his blankets.

In CCTV footage of the garda interview, he appears to cry.

Asked why he had delayed and what he had to fear in not disclosing this tragic accident, Mr Doyle said he was afraid he'd be blamed or that he'd lose his fianceé Leona Murphy.

He denied that he had become angry after the fall, and said he couldn't explain why his account didn't match the medical or post mortem evidence which suggested baby Ross had been vigorously shaken.