Hung
jury in Wellview murder trial
The jury in the trial of Claire Nolan for the murder of 66 year old
Michael Duffy has failed to agree a verdict. Ms Nolan (23) from Sheephill
Green was charged with murdering Mr. Duffy who died when he was hit
by her car.
The court heard that Ms Nolan had been involved in a row with the dead
man's son, Francis Duffy, who had been seen trying to break into her
car.
After an altercation, she drove her car into his driveway at Wellview
Grove in Mulhuddart and struck his father who was a retired taxi driver.
The trial heard Ms Nolan was visiting the house next door and had been
drinking and taking cocaine and sleeping tablets.
She said she did not mean to kill anyone and had driven through the
garden gates to frighten Francis Duffy but had hit his father instead.
Ms Nolan told gardaí “I didn't mean to squash him. I don't
know what I meant to do. I couldn't stop, I couldn't brake and I ended
up squashing the man.”
This was challenged by prosecuting counsel Patrick Gageby who said “it
is manifestly clear that it was not an accident.” He said Ms.
Nolan had “tons of motive” and had acted from revenge.
Defence counsel Brendan Grehan argued that his client was provoked and
was “'totally out of control and unable to act in any reasonable,
rational or logical way.” He said she accepted that she had killed,
that she had taken a life but she was not a murderer.”
The jury was told that in considering the murder charge, it was irrelevant
whether or not the person killed was the person at whom the intent to
kill or seriously injure was directed.
However, after over six and half hours of deliberation the jury failed
to agree on a verdict.
The case has been adjourned to later this month when a new trial date
will be set.
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