A Cork man was yesterday charged with killing the mother of his 16-month-old daughter, wrapping her body in a blanket inside a plastic sack weighed with stones, and throwing it over a bridge in Kinsale nearly 10 years ago
The trial of Mr Timothy (Tadhg) O'Driscoll (46), of New Street, Macroom, Co Cork,opened at Cork Circuit Criminal Court yesterday.
He pleaded not guilty to three charges of assaulting and killing his partner, Ms Michelle McCormack (26), and disposing of her body in a manner so as to prevent her lawful burial in July 1993.
Mr John Edwards SC, prosecuting, said in his opening statement that despite the fact that the body of Ms McCormack was never found, the State's case was based on confessions given by Mr O'Driscoll to gardaí.
The State alleges that the couple had a turbulent relationship, and were on holiday with their daughter at a caravan park at Owenahincha, west Cork, in July 1993, when the incident occurred.
It is alleged that the couple returned to the mobile home on the night of July 20th, 1993, after having a few drinks in a hotel.
They were in bed when a row broke out, causing Ms McCormack to attempt to leave the scene.
The State alleges the accused then hit his partner in the left eye, causing her to be knocked against a partition, and that as a result of her injuries the woman died.
According to the State, the accused stayed with the dead body until early the next morning, when he went to the hotel car-park and retrieved a Cortina car.
After bringing the car back to the caravan park, it is alleged Mr O'Driscoll wrapped Ms McCormack's body in a blanket and placed it inside a large plastic sack, into which he put stones.
Mr Edwards said the State's case was that the accused then backed the car up to the door of the mobile home, and placed the sack in the boot.
It is also alleged that the couple's toddler, Leona, was present during the disposal of the body, and that she was placed in the front seat of the car when Mr O'Driscoll drove to Kinsale Harbour.
"He (Mr O'Driscoll) was a keen fisherman, and from his experiences he knew there were deep waters and strong currents under the bridge at Kinsale," Mr Edwards said.
The court heard that the accused allegedly went to the boot, got the bag with the body and threw it over the railings into the water.
Gardai were alerted to Ms McCormack's disappearance by her sister the following day.
Despite an extensive search of the water by a Garda sub-aqua unit, her body was never found.
The trial continues today.