A VERDICT is expected today in the trial of a young Dublin man charged with the murder of his former teenage girlfriend in the grounds of the Dominican Convent in Ballyfermot.
Closing speeches in the trial of Keith Kelly (19), of Colepark Drive, Ballyfermot, were made yesterday, but Mr Justice Flood deferred his charge to the jury until today after hearing one of the jurors was unwell.
Kelly has denied the murder of Melanie Gleeson (15), of Colepark Road, Ballyfermot, on Hallowe'en night, 1995, but has admitted to manslaughter.
Melanie Gleeson died of severe head injuries after she was hit across the head and face with a stone by Kelly on October 31st, 1995.
Mr Denis Vaughan Buckley SC, prosecuting, said the State did not accept there was provocation in the case, and even if there were, it did not justify the very serious injuries inflicted on Melanie Gleeson. Even if Melanie had said she was seeing another man it did not entitle somebody "to batter in her brain".
Mr Patrick MacEntee SC, for Kelly, said all the evidence showed that Keith Kelly was provoked into a frenzied act of violence that was totally out of character. Kelly was provoked by "the girl he loved" telling him, after they had had intercourse, that she was seeing another man. The three day trial has heard how Melanie Gleeson's naked body was found in the Peace Garden of Ballyfermot's Dominican Convent on the morning of November 1st, 1995. After initially denying involvement in the killing, Mr Kelly later told gardai he hit Melanie across the head and face with a stone during an argument which broke out after they had had intercourse. He said the argument was over her relationship with another youth.