Man accused of 'shallow grave' murder in Wicklow

A 27-year-old man has gone on trial accused of murdering a man whose remains were found in a shallow grave in Wicklow.

A 27-year-old man has gone on trial today accused of murdering a man whose remains were found in a shallow grave in Wicklow.

Michael Dickenson with an address at Darragh Park in Wicklow town denies killing Stephen O'Meara at Ballydonnell Wood, Redcross, on or around August 6, 2009.

Opening the case, the prosecution said there will be evidence that Stephen O'Meara left his girlfriend's house saying he was going for a walk that evening.

She grew more and more worried when he did not return and two days later contacted gardaí to report the 26-year-old missing.

The jury will hear a witness Scott Murphy will say he saw Stephen in Wicklow town getting into a grey Nissan being driven by the accused towards Redcross.

Michael Dickenson was arrested four months later on December 21 and on Christmas Eve gardaií uncovered a body in a shallow grave.

The prosecution alleges another man shot Stephen O'Meara, but it is alleged he was present when the fatal shooting took place and that he helped drag the body to the grave.