Tipperary pensioner died as a result of his head hitting the ground, murder trial told
Teddy Murnane was still alive in hospital at the time of the garda interview of the defendant.
The pensioner who was killed when he interrupted a burglary at the shed by his home in Tipperary died as a result of the impact when he fell backwards and his head hit the ground, the pathologist in the murder trial testified on Tuesday.
Dr Heidi Okkers also reported that facial injuries were consistent with multiple impacts to the face with a fist or an object with a flat surface while the impact to the back of the head was consistent with falling backwards on the ground.
Cause of death was trauma to the head, the state pathologist told prosecution senior counsel Karl Finnegan in her direct evidence.
In cross-examination, defence senior counsel Dean Kelly said: “You stated that the deceased suffered direct blunt force trauma to the face and head.” She replied: “That is correct.”
The state pathologist also said that the deceased suffered a significant impact when the rear of his head hit the ground. Dr Okkers agreed with Mr Kelly who said: “All of the fractures to the back of the head and the side of the head were caused by the fall — that is, all of the fracture injuries. And those fractures and the associated brain injuries caused Mr Murnane’s death.”
The defence senior counsel also said: “The injuries and blunt force trauma to the head and face were not a cause of death. They themselves were survivable.”
The pathologist agreed that those injuries were not the cause of death but added that they were what caused him to fall. Mr Kelly continued: “And if he had not fallen he would be alive.”
The state pathologist said nothing was found in the areas of the deceased man’s chest or abdomen that were deemed relevant to his death.
32-year-old Seán Harding of Marian Terrace, Tipperary Town, denies murder but accepted that he unlawfully killed the 80-year-old, pleading guilty to the manslaughter of Teddy Murnane at St. Michael’s Avenue in Tipperary town on September 12, 2025. Seán Harding also admitted three charges related to burglary on the occasion.
It was indicated on Tuesday that the prosecution is expecting to close its part of the evidence in the case formally on Wednesday morning.
Earlier on Tuesday, there was further evidence from the memo of interviews that Detective Garda Conor Gleeson and Detective Garda Diarmuid Bourke had with the accused man soon after the incident at the centre of the case.
The interviews were conducted when Teddy Murnane was still alive in hospital.
Asked about the tools he was stealing from Mr Murnane’s shed that night, Seán Harding said he was going to buy drugs for himself and to pay the drug-dealer with stolen tools.
It was put to Mr Harding that Mr Murnane must have suffered a terrible fright when he arrived at his shed to find the accused. Seán Harding replied: “More than likely, yeah. I hope the man is OK, that is what is on my conscience now.”
Asked: “Did he let a shout at you?” the defendant replied: “No.”
“Where did you push him?” he was asked. “Around the chest area, I’m not sure, I think anyway,” he answered.
“If he fell backwards where are his injuries going to be?” he was asked, and replied: “Back of his head, I suppose. I’m not too sure what way he landed.”
The trial continues.
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
