Fingerprints and DNA of the man accused of murdering 83-year old pensioner Christy Hanley in Westmeath last year were found on a belt that had been tied around the deceased man’s wrists, the Central Criminal Court heard today.
Noel Cawley (47), of no fixed abode, but with a previous address in Castleblaney, Co Monaghan, has pleaded not guilty to murdering Mr Hanley at his home on Bridge St, Kilbeggan, Co Westmeath, on May 21st last year.
He has also pleaded not guilty to robbing Mr Hanley of an unknown sum of money at the same address on the same date.
It is the prosecution's case that Mr Cawley tied Mr Hanley up, robbed him and beat him to death.
Det Gda Aidan Dardiss told the court that he visited Mr Hanley's home the day after the alleged murder.
He examined the scene and removed a belt from around Mr Hanley's hands and wrists, then removed the buckle from the belt.
Det Sgt David Sheridan, who works with the fingerprint section of the Garda Technical Bureau, told the court that he examined the belt buckle.
He noticed a fingermark which, when examined, matched the left thumb impression of a set of prints taken from Mr Cawley.
Michael Burrington, a forensic scientist, told the court that he generated DNA profiles of both the accused and deceased.
He then examined a number of items taken from the scene of the alleged murder, including the belt buckle.
Mr Burrington said that there was a "mixed profile" on the belt buckle, containing the DNA of two people.
The court heard that "all the elements seen in Mr Hanley's profile were present and all the elements in Mr Cawley's profile were present".
The trial continues.