Jury retires in case of housecleaner accused of stealing €28,000 of paintings

The jury has retired for deliberations in the trial of a housecleaner accused of stealing paintings worth more than €28,000 from the home of a Dublin artist.

Roza Komorova (46), from Brehon Grove, Ballinteer, Dublin, has pleaded not guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to theft of the paintings from Louise Mansfield's home on Brennanstown Road, Cabinteely, on September 5th, 2011.

On Friday, Ms Komorova testified that she did not understand questions gardaí asked her when she was interviewed.

In those interviews she said that the paintings were hers, and that she was going to hang them on her wall.

She told John Berry, defending, that Ms Mansfield asked her to move the paintings. She also alleged she had an affair with Ms Mansfield's husband, Theo Hanley.

Mr Hanley testified that he has never been unfaithful in the 38 years of their marriage.

On the first day of the trial Ms Mansfield denied she had told Ms Komorova to take the paintings.

She said Ms Komorova seldom helped her move paintings and did so only under her supervision.

The trial continues today before Judge Mary Ellen Ring.