Cork man accused of murdering partner told gardaí they were soulmates, trial hears

Adam Corcoran is on trial charged with arson of the apartment and murdering Daena Walsh at their home in Midleton on August 2, 2024. He told gardaí she stabbed herself. File picture: Larry Cummins

The man accused of murdering his partner at their apartment in Midleton told gardaí they were soulmates and best friends — and that he had plans to propose to her, get married, and buy a house.

Adam Corcoran, aged 31, was arrested on suspicion of murder within less than two hours of Daena Walsh being found in the burning apartment with multiple stab wounds to her face, neck, chest, and stomach, and her left arm was partially amputated.

Brendan Grehan, defending, said Mr Corcoran told several gardaí and people who arrived at the scene on that Friday afternoon, August 2, 2024, that Daena’s death was a suicide.

Mr Grehan was cross-examining Detective Inspector John O’Connell and put to him a number of comments made by the accused when he was questioned after the incident: “He said he did not kill Daena. That he loved her and they were closer than ever and supported each other.

“He said she was his soulmate. And the relationship was the best it had ever been. She was his best friend.

“He planned to get engaged to her and marry her. He was going to propose to her.

“He planned to buy a home for her and the kids. They both had relapsed onto drink and drugs. He had been drinking that day.” 

Det Insp. O’Connell confirmed that Mr Corcoran said all of these things when interviewed by An Garda Síochána. The accused man also said: “I don’t know, it is like replaying a nightmare. I don’t know how I am in a station. I don’t understand why she would do it. How will I tell the kids? It is the worst day of my life.” 

Garda Conor McCarthy was on duty when Mr Corcoran was brought into Mallow Garda Station just after 5.30pm on August 2, 2024. He confirmed that the defendant had a cut over his right eye, his left eye was bloodshot, and his speech was slurred and incoherent.

When a doctor called to the station to examine him, he said Mr Corcoran would not be fit for interview for six hours. It was noted by Garda McCarthy in the custody record: “He was crying and not making sense with what he was saying.” 

Several gardaí from the Garda National Technical Bureau forensically examined the apartment from 9am on Saturday, August 3, 2024, when the remains of the deceased remained in situ.

Detective Garda Andy Gibbons showed to the jury of eight men and four women and Ms Justice Siobhán Lankford a red bread knife. Both the blade and handle were red but stained black. It was explained that the black stains were blood and matched the DNA of the deceased. The knife was found in an off-licence bag in the living room.

Detective Garda Treasa Kelly found a large blue carving knife in a beige handbag in the bedroom. Both handle and blade were blue and stained with black. Again the black stains were described as blood with a DNA match to the deceased.

Dr James Cafferkey of Forensic Science Ireland who examined blood samples from both knives described them as matching the DNA of the deceased. He also said that blood on a jacket, a pair of jeans, and a left runner worn by Mr Corcoran were a DNA match for the deceased.

Det Garda Kelly said two envelopes addressed to the deceased were found on the bed and that both envelopes were bloodstained.

Mr Grehan suggested  the knives appeared to have been part of a multi-coloured set or block of knives.

Det Garda Gibbons said the legs of the deceased were partly under a yellow chair in the kitchen/dining area and that on top of the chair was a partially damaged Lynx body-spray deodorant cannister. He said it was dented in at least two area and the top was gone. He said this damage was consistent with it having exploded.

Mr Corcoran is on trial charged with arson of the apartment and murdering Ms Walsh at their home at John Barry House, Midleton, on August 2, 2024. He told gardaí she stabbed herself.

The trial continues on Monday, March 16.