Murder trial told that gardaí searched accused’s home and seized phone and gloves

A murder trial jury has been told that gardaí searched the accused man’s home under warrant and seized a mobile phone and a pair of gloves.

Lorcan Merriman (25) of Lealand Close in Clondalkin has pleaded not guilty to murdering Mr Thomas Farnan (37) at Kilcronan Close, Clondalkin on April 25th or 26th, 2016.

Detective Garda Sharon Duncan told prosecution counsel Roisin Lacey SC that she took part in the search of Mr Merriman's home on May 4th 2016 and found a JD Sports Bag in a small wardrobe in a corner of a box bedroom to the front of the house. Inside the bag she found an empty box for a white Nokia mobile phone.

The detective then went outside to a green area at the rear of the house where she found two black, woollen gloves. She gave all the items she seized to the exhibits officer Garda Paul Dolan who told Ms Lacey that he brought them to Clondalkin Garda Station.

Garda Eamon O’Brien told Eoin Lawlor BL, prosecuting, that he examined mobile phones that were received by gardaí as part of the investigation into Mr Farnan’s death. He said he had been told that one of the phones belonged to Lorcan Merriman’s mother, Carole, the other belonged to another named man.

Gda O’Brien said both phones had various entries under the name Lorcan. He detailed calls made to and from the numbers under the name Lorcan on different dates in May 2016 including the day Mr Farnan was shot dead at his front door.

The trial continues.