Man accused of murdering his wife in Wilton will not sign guilty plea, court told

Regin Parithapara Rajan to face trial for the murder of Deepa Paruthiyezhuth Dinamani at their home last July

Regin Parithapara Rajan, appeared in Cork District Court by video link from prison. He is charged with the murder of 38-year-old Deepa Paruthiyezhuth Dinamani at their home in Cardinal Court, Wilton, Cork, on July 14 last. Picture: Dan Linehan

The man accused of murdering his wife in Cork city indicated on Wednesday there would be a no guilty plea and that a book of evidence would have to be prepared in advance of a trial by judge and jury.

Sergeant Gearóid Davis confirmed at Cork District Court directions had come through from the Director of Public Prosecutions who directed trial at the Central Criminal Court or the accused could enter a signed plea of guilty at the district court for sentencing at the Central Criminal Court.

Defence solicitor Eddie Burke said on behalf of 41-year-old Regin Parithapara Rajan there would not be a signed guilty plea and a book of evidence would have to be prepared.

In those circumstances, Judge Mary Dorgan adjourned the case until January 31 to allow time for preparation and service of a book of evidence.

The defence had complained previously about the delay in directions from the DPP.

Detective Inspector Jason Lynch said previously: “It is a very complex investigation. The deceased is an Indian national. Relevant lines of inquiry were pursued in India, Britain, and the United States. 

"A significant amount of telephonic evidence had to be analysed, which amounted to 850,000 pages of data. There are 110 statements on file as well as substantial technical data.” 

The accused man, Regin Parithapara Rajan, appeared in Cork District Court by video link from prison. He is charged with the murder of 38-year-old Deepa Paruthiyezhuth Dinamani at their home in Cardinal Court, Wilton, Cork, on July 14 last, contrary to common law. 

When Detective Garda Alan Johnson arrested and charged him with the murder last July, Mr Rajan made no reply.

The deceased, Ms Dinamani, a native of Kerala in south-west India, was a chartered accountant and she had moved with her husband and young son to Cork three months before to take up a position as a fund manager with a financial services company, Alter Domus Fund Services based at Cork Airport Business Park.