A DUBLIN schoolgirl died as a result of extremely severe head injuries which destroyed part of her brain stem, the Central Criminal Court heard yesterday.
The State Pathologist, Dr John Harbison, said he noted 47 injuries on 15 year old Melanie Gleeson, whose naked and battered body was found in the grounds of the Dominican Convent, Ballyfermot, on November 1st, 1995.
He said the most serious injuries were to her head, which had been struck so severely that the top part of her brain was severed from the bottom portion. The indications were that Melanie was still alive when some of the injuries were inflicted.
He agreed it was a possibility that the injuries could have been inflicted by a person in a frenzy.
The cause of death was lacerations of the brain following multiple fractures of the skull due to multiple head injuries. There was also evidence of attempted strangulation, but that had not killed the girl.
Dr Harbison was giving evidence on the second day of the trial of Keith Kelly (19), of Colepark Drive, Ballyfermot, who has denied the murder of Ms Gleeson, of Colepark Road, Ballyfermot, in the grounds of the Dominican Convent on October 31st, 1995.
Kelly has admitted the manslaughter of Ms Gleeson. In a statement to gardai, he said he hit her on the face and head with a stone "three times at the tops" after an argument about her alleged relationship with another man.
Evidence in the trial concluded yesterday and closing speeches will begin this morning. Mr Justice Flood will then charge the jury.