Murder trial jury asks to see clothing worn by accused and deceased

The jury in the trial of a man accused of murdering a 90-year-old in his home has asked to hear evidence from two pathologists again and to view a hoodie belonging to the accused and a hat worn by the deceased.

Ross Outram (28), of Ferryland, Waterford Road, Clonmel in Co Tipperary, has pleaded not guilty to murdering retired farmer Paddy Lyons at Loughleagh, Lismore, Co Waterford, between February 23rd and 26th, 2017.

Having spent two hours and 29 minutes deliberating on Thursday, the jury was sent home for the evening.

Forensic scientist John Hoade gave evidence in the trial that he examined a grey hoodie belonging to Mr Outram and found blood on the right sleeve and hood which matched Mr Lyons’ DNA profile.

Michael O’Higgins SC, defending, said in his closing speech that Mr Outram told gardaí in his interviews on two occasions that Mr Lyons was alive when he left the house because he [the deceased] had put on a grey hat.

“That’s an unusual memory fragment and why would Mr Outram invent that detail?” counsel said, adding that a garda had given evidence that he found a grey hat in the vicinity of Mr Lyons’ fireplace.

There was a further inquiry from the jury as to whether Mr Lyons’ grey hat had blood on it.

"The answer is no, no blood was found on that," replied Mr Justice Paul Coffey.

The jury also requested to re-hear the evidence of Assistant State Pathologist Dr Margaret Bolster concerning Mr Lyons' injuries as well as a defence pathologist's findings.

The jury will resume deliberating at 10.30am on Friday.