Murder accused ‘depressed’ in days leading up to wife’s death

A murder trial has heard that a Cavan man, accused of murdering his wife, appeared "depressed" in the days leading up to her death and talked about "having a gun in his mouth".

Oliver Kierans (57) of Drumbannon, Bailieboro, Co Cavan has pleaded not guilty to murdering Patricia Kierans on September 5th, 2013 at the same address.

He also pleaded not guilty to unlawful possession of a shotgun and not guilty to intent to endanger life with the same shotgun.

Ronan Lynch told the court he had known both Oliver and Patricia Kierans for over 10 years.

He said Mr Kierans contacted him at about 9.00am on August 31st, 2013 to ask if he could borrow his 4x4.

“I met him at 3pm outside The Square bar and he dropped me back home.”

When asked about Mr Kierans demeanour, Mr Lynch described the accused as having been “depressed”.

“He wasn’t in great form. He seemed down in the dumps. He was talking about Pat and how she was accusing him of having an affair,” he said.

“He was talking about having a gun in his mouth and saying he was going to shoot himself and how he looked over at a photo of his grandson and thats what stopped him. He seemed depressed.”

The court heard from a local dressmaker, Sandra Miller, that Mrs Kierans had made an appointment to meet her on September 5th, 2013.

“She (Patricia Kierans) was supposed to call to my house. I rang her to let her know I wouldn’t be there and there was no answer.”

When asked if she had seen Mr Kierans, Ms Miller said he had come to her house the Sunday before. “He called over and asked me did I see Pat. He wanted me to give her a message that he was concerned about her.”

Under cross-examination, defence counsel Anthony Sammon SC asked Ms Miller if Ms Kierans had been involved in tarot cards. “Yes,” she replied.

When asked if she herself used tarot cards, she replied no but added that she had gone to a medium whom she had first heard of through the deceased.

“I used to go to a medium. Patricia said there was a medium coming to her sisters and she asked me if I was interested.”

Damien O’Reilly, manager of Clarkes off-licence, said Mr Kierans bought two naggins of whiskey on the morning of September 5th.

“I opened as usual at 7.30am that morning. At around 9.00am, Oliver called in and bought two naggins of whiskey.”

The trial continues before Ms Justice Aileen Donnelly and a jury of five women and seven men.