A deputy state pathologist has told the trial of a North Clare man accused of murdering guest house worker Deirdre McCarthy two years ago that the cause of death was manual strangulation.
Colm Deely of School Road, Ballyvaughan has pleaded not guilty to murdering the 43 year old in March of 2011.
Giving evidence on Day five of Colm Deely’s murder trial – Deputy State pathologist Dr Khalid Jabbar told the jury that Ms McCarthy died from manual strangulation- He went on to state that blunt force trauma to the head, trunk and extremities was a contributing factor.
Under cross examination Dr. Jabbar agreed that there was no evidence of sexual assault but said that such an event would not always carry a physical manifestation.
He accepted that he did not visit the scene of where the body was found, and that no blood was found at the deceased’s home or in Mr Deely’s cars, which had been technically examined.
He also agreed that a body in tidal water would move around a lot and come into contact with objects and sand.
The trial continues.
