The man accused of murdering German tourist Ms Bettina Poeschel admitted to a Garda inspector that he went back to his victim's body days after her death, removed some of her clothing and hid it in a graveyard skip, the Central Criminal Court was told yesterday in Dublin.
Garda Insp Gerry O'Brien told a murder trial that after a brief appearance at Drogheda District Court on November 2nd, 2001, the defendant, Mr Michael Murphy (42), confided in him while he was having lunch in a cell at Drogheda Garda station.
Mr Murphy has denied murdering Ms Poeschel (28), a journalist, at Donore, Co Meath, on or between September 25th and October 17th, 2001.
"He asked me could he have a cigarette," said Insp O'Brien. After Mr Murphy was given a cigarette, Insp O'Brien asked if there was anything else he could do.
"He said he was working on the motorway and had some money, and he wanted the money to go to his mother," said Insp O'Brien. He rang Mr Murphy's solicitor for him so he could make the arrangements.
When the private phone call was over, Mr Murphy allegedly asked Insp O'Brien: "Why are you so kind to me after all I have done? I'm sorry for everything."
Mr Murphy then asked: "How is that girl's family? Have you found the red shoes yet?" according to Insp O'Brien.
The jury heard Mr Murphy went on to say: "Look, I went back to the body two or three days later. I took the red shoes and trousers and hid them in the graveyard in Donore. Have you found them?"
He told Mr Denis Vaughan Buckley SC, prosecuting, when he heard this he went to look for another Garda. He made notes based on Mr Murphy's comments in front of another Garda. Mr Murphy nodded to confirm the notes were correct.
Insp O'Brien directed a garda to the graveyard to see if there was a skip there. "A short time later he called me and confirmed there was a skip at Donore."
Ms Poeschel's mud-stained black trousers, red shoes and black socks were held up in court yesterday, and identified by Insp O'Brien as the clothes in the skip.
The trial continues today.