Murder trial hears victim was mutilated and had cardboard in the back of her mouth

Chief State Pathologist was giving evidence in the trial of Trevor Rowe for the murder of Kilkenny pensioner Ann Butler

Trevor Rowe told garda: 'I'm in trouble now, it's going to be in the papers and on the news. My family don't know I killed her on Friday.' Picture: Dylan Vaughan

The body of a pensioner was discovered in a mutilated state after she had been beaten, stabbed and had her throat slit in her own home, while a large piece of cardboard was also found in the back of her mouth, the Chief State Pathologist has told a murder trial.

Trevor Rowe, 30, with an address at Abbey Street, Kilkenny, has pleaded not guilty to murdering 71-year-old Ann Butler at her home at Maudlin Street, Kilkenny, on March 20, 2020.