A GARDA ballistics expert told a murder trial jury yesterday that a design on the heel of boots taken from an accused man was similar to bruising on the face and breast of a dead woman.
Det Sgt Seamus Quinn, of the Ballistics Section, Garda Headquarters, said there were two four sided stars on the boots taken from Mr Stephen Davis.
He told the Central Criminal Court that in his opinion this design was similar to bruising found, on the left cheek and to the right of the right nipple of Ms Mary Doogue.
Det Sgt Quinn said there was bruising on four areas of Ms Doogue's body beneath her chin, on the left cheek, on the breast and to the right of her navel. He said he found the four star design on only two areas.
Del Sgt Quinn was giving evidence on the ninth day of the trial of Mr Davis (20), of Clonmullin, Athy, Co Kildare, who has denied the murder of Ms Mary Doogue (30), of the same address, in Athy on October 20th, 1995.
The trial has heard Ms Doogue and Mr Davis had a relationship for two years and he was the father of the youngest of her sixth children. Ms Doogue was pronounced dead in hospital on October 20th, 1995 from what the State pathologist, Dr Johns Harbison, said was delayed shock due to subdural haemorrhage, contusion of the larynx, dislocated shoulder and a ruptured bladder.
Det Sgt Quinn told prosecuting counsel Mr Kenneth Mills SC that he was present at the post mortem by Dr Harbison at Naas General Hospital on October 21st, 1995.
He saw a pattern of bruising beneath the chin and on the left cheek and also to the right of the right nipple and to the right of her navel. He sketched the pattern in his notebook.
On November 8th he examined a pair of suede boots taken from the accused.
On the heel he noted two four sided stars, one above the other. This was similar in his opinion to the abrasions or bruising found on the left cheek and on the right breast of Ms Doogue.
Earlier Sgt Gerard Connolly told the jury he took clothing, including brown boots, from Mr Davis. Sgt Connolly said he had put the boots, which had suede uppers and rubber soles with a design on them, in paper evidence bags.
The State case concluded yesterday.
Mr Justice Budd told the jury of 11 men and one woman that they should return to court on Tuesday when they will hear closing speeches from counsel and his charge.