BOTH SIDES have given their closing speeches at the Central Criminal Court in the trial of a Cork painter charged with murdering a local widow.
The prosecutor told the jury that if ever there was a murder, then the killing of Anne Corcoran (60) was it.
Oliver Hayes (49), Clancool Terrace, Bandon, has pleaded guilty to manslaughter but not guilty to murdering her between January 19th and 21st, 2009, after abducting her from her farmhouse at Maulnaskimlehane, Kilbrittain.
Hayes also admits falsely imprisoning her in his house and stealing €3,000 from her bank account following her death.
John O’Kelly SC, prosecuting, reminded the court of the defendant’s admission that he deliberately targeted the woman for money, seeing her as a soft target.
Mr O’Kelly reminded the jurors that intent to cause serious injury was also enough to bring in a murder verdict.
Blaise O’Carroll SC, defending, said Ms Corcoran had asked his client not to put anything over her head when he was abducting her and so he had not. “While Oliver Hayes embarked on a mad escapade that night, he had no intention of it ending up the way it did,” he said, reminding the jury that Hayes would have to pay for the unlawful killing and false imprisonment no matter the verdict.
Mr Justice Paul Carney has begun charging the jury, which will begin deliberating today.