Graham Dwyer trial: ‘I can’t explain, I know it’s sick’

Prosecution case ends after 37 days, 194 witnesses and more than 320 exhibits

Graham Dwyer, a 42-year-old architect from Kerrymount Close in Foxrock, is charged with murdering childcare worker Elaine O’Hara (36) on August 22nd, 2012. File photograph: Cyril Byrne/The Irish Times
Graham Dwyer, a 42-year-old architect from Kerrymount Close in Foxrock, is charged with murdering childcare worker Elaine O’Hara (36) on August 22nd, 2012. File photograph: Cyril Byrne/The Irish Times

In the final day of prosecution evidence in the Graham Dwyer murder trial, the jury heard the accused was asked by gardaí why he looked at images of women being stabbed and mutilated.

“I can’t explain, I know it’s sick,” Mr Dwyer said.

The 42-year-old architect, from Kerrymount Close in Foxrock, is charged with murdering childcare worker Elaine O'Hara (36) on August 22nd, 2012.

He has pleaded not guilty.

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Mr Dwyer had been taken through links and images found on his work phone during his last interview with gardaí on October 17th, 2013.

He described them as being from “horror” sites and movies.

When the interview was over, Mr Dwyer was asked if he wanted to make a final comment. He said he was “not guilty” of the offence with which he was charged and there were “lots of people” gardaí should be talking to.

“Anybody else like me who had contact with Elaine O’Hara,” he said.

Asked by gardaí who the men were, he said he did not know their identities.

Final interview

He signed the final interview at 6.50am on October 18th and said gardaí were painting a picture of what he looked at, based on a proportion of what he looked at.

“Please don’t present to people that that’s all I look at,” he said.

After 194 witnesses, 37 days of evidence and more than 320 exhibits, Seán Guerin SC said the evidence for the prosecution was complete.

Mr Justice Tony Hunt advised the jury of five women and seven men to take a break from the case and "put it completely to one side".

He also said it was important they did not leave the court thinking they had heard everything.

They would not have heard everything until he gave them their final directions.

The judge also told the jurors there might be legal discussions on Monday and they should return next Wednesday at 11.30am, when the defence is expected to begin its case.

Fiona Gartland

Fiona Gartland

Fiona Gartland is a crime writer and former Irish Times journalist