Limerick murder trial: Accused told gardaí deceased had asked him for a lift and then asked for money

Defendant said he could not remember when he had last seen Lee Slattery

Kurt Ryan, of Moylish Crescent, Limerick, denies murdering 25-year-old Lee Slattery, pictured, on the grounds of Delmege House, known locally as the Dallies, in May 2010

The 32-year-old man on trial for murdering a young man in Limerick back in May 2010 told gardaí days after the victim’s disappearance he could not remember the exact day he last saw the deceased but said the late Lee Slattery had asked him for a lift.

Kurt Ryan, of Moylish Crescent, Limerick, denies murdering 25-year-old Lee Slattery on the grounds of Delmege House, known locally as the Dallies, in May 2010, and he is on trial before Ms Justice Eileen Creedon and a jury of seven women and five men at the Central Criminal Court sitting in Cork.

Defence senior counsel Brian McInerney said the defendant was a juvenile — being under the age of 18 — when he was first asked questions by An Garda Síochána on May 31, 2010, and he answered in the presence of his mother. 

Mr McInerney said people sometimes refuse to answer questions or refuse to sign to acknowledge they have been questioned. He said Kurt Ryan both answered and signed his name to what was said, as did his mother.

Detective Sergeant Tommy Griffin attended at Delmege House on Sunday May 31 when the remains of Lee Slattery were discovered. The deceased had last been seen on the night/early hours of Thursday/Friday May 28/29 2010. 

Later that Sunday, May 31, the detective went to the defendant’s home at Moylish Crescent and asked him a number of questions:

“Do you know Lee Slattery?” 

“Yeah.” 

“How long do you know him?” 

“All my life.” 

“When did you last see him?” 

“Wednesday or Thursday, can’t say.” 

“Where did you last see him?” 

“Down at Topaz. He was walking past, he asked me for a lift. I brought him to Monabraher Road. He asked me for money. I didn’t give it to him. My girlfriend was with me. He went in the direction of the community centre. I went home.” 

“Do you think it was Thursday night?” 

“I can’t remember.” 

“What time was it?” 

“I can’t remember.” 

“What did you do on Friday?” 

“I can't remember.” 

Ms Justice Eileen Creedon said the court would not sit on October 14 because of the public service strike and she told the jury to return for the resumption of the case on Thursday, October 15.