BAIL was granted by the High Court yesterday to Mr David Murphy (35), who is charged with the murder of his wife, Mrs Patricia Murphy.
The body of Mrs Murphy was found behind a skip near her home off Griffith Avenue, Dublin, on May 28th, 1996. She had been strangled.
Mrs Justice McGuinness granted bail to Mr Murphy, of Goldsmith Street, Phibsboro, Dublin, on his own bond of £200, with an independent surety of £4,000 and a cash lodgment of £2,000. Among the conditions of bail are that he will not seek a passport or interfere with witnesses and that he report to gardai twice daily and reside at his father's address.
Det Sgt Tom McCarrick said he believed that, if granted bail, Mr Murphy would not stand trial in answer to the charge because of the seriousness of the charge and the weight of evidence. He believed there was a possibility that he might interfere with witnesses.
Mr Murphy, in evidence, said that, if granted bail, he would live wherever the court stated. He had never held a passport. If granted a bail, he would undertake not to apply for one. He would also undertake not to, go near witnesses.