Samples from Cork woman's body found in 1981 were sent to UK in 2008 for DNA profile

Forensic Science Ireland lacked the techniques to interpret low amounts of DNA at the time, court told

Noel Long (pictured) has pleaded not guilty to murdering 54-year-old Nora Sheehan. Picture: Paddy Cummins

Material recovered from a woman who was killed 42 years ago had to be sent to the UK in 2008 to generate a DNA profile as Ireland lacked the techniques to interpret low amounts of DNA at the time, a cold case murder trial has heard.

Noel Long (74) with an address at Maulbawn, Passage West, Co. Cork, has pleaded not guilty to murdering 54-year-old Nora Sheehan between June 6 and June 12, 1981 at an unknown place within the State. Her body was found by forestry workers at The Viewing Point, Shippool Woods in Cork six days after she went missing.