Evidence in Cork cold case 'insufficient' to prove murder, Noel Long's lawyers argue

Long has launched a bid to overturn his conviction for murdering Nora Sheehan, arguing there was a prejudicial delay in bringing the case and that DNA evidence should not have gone before the jury

In August 2023, a jury unanimously convicted Noel Long (pictured) of the murder of 54-year-old Mrs Sheehan, whose naked and bruised body was discovered in Shippool Woods, Co Cork, six days after she went missing in June 1981. File picture: Collins Courts

A Cork man jailed for life after a cold case review ended in the oldest successful murder prosecution in Irish history has argued that his conviction should be quashed, as there was not enough evidence to prove the intent of murder.

Barristers for Noel Long, aged 77, submitted to the Court of Appeal that the prosecution had failed to prove Long did anything more than assault victim Nora Sheehan with "slaps and punches" to the head and face.