WHEN INTERVIEWED by gardaí the man accused of murdering 14-year-old Melissa Mahon said: “I’ve been waiting some time for this.”
Ronald McManus was arrested on April 10th, 2008, and when asked by Det Sgt Dermot Flannery and Det Garda Paul Casey how he was introduced to Melissa, he said, “Just read the newspapers. You’ve let me be abused and attacked and done nothing about this”.
Mr McManus (44), also known as Ronnie Dunbar, of Rathbraughan Park, Sligo, has pleaded not guilty at the Central Criminal Court to murdering Melissa Mahon in September 2006. He also denies threatening to kill one of his daughters, Samantha Conroy.
Melissa went missing from the care of the Health Service Executive on September 14th, 2006. A missing person investigation was launched by gardaí and her remains were found on the shore of Lough Gill in Sligo in February 2008 following a statement to gardaí by Samantha Conroy.
Det Sgt Pádraig Scanlon told the court that the accused was arrested on suspicion of murder on April 10th, 2008. Under cross-examination by Brendan Grehan SC, defending, Det Sgt Scanlon said the accused was not arrested in the days following the discovery of remains at Lough Gill as further inquiries had to be carried out.
He said he could not accept Mr Grehan’s suggestion that “gardaí were happy to simply dangle Mr McManus out there and let the media get involved and turn this into a circus”.
Det Sgt Scanlon agreed with Mr Grehan that he called to the accused man’s home on February 23rd, 2008, in relation to damage that had been done to his house and a threat which had been made to him. Det Sgt Scanlon also agreed that Melissa’s parents had refused to make a statement to gardaí about her disappearance and had indicated that she was in England with relatives, but would not provide an address for her.
Det Sgt Dermot Flannery told Isobel Kennedy SC, prosecuting, that he was present for four interviews conducted with Mr McManus on April 10th and 11th, 2008. When asked if he understood why he was arrested and detained Mr McManus told gardaí, “I’ve been waiting for this for some time”.
He denied killing the girl and said “I was trying to get her out of harm’s way”. He told gardaí, “If social workers had done their job right I wouldn’t be here now”.
Mr McManus said he would not be made a scapegoat and said he had a “father daughter” or “platonic relationship” with Melissa. He said she never slept in his house, apart from an occasion when he was not present.
He described Melissa as, “a rebel, she knew how to play people, she was clever and articulated [sic]”.
He told gardaí that Melissa was openly affectionate towards him and was looking for a father figure. He denied that he manipulated her, preyed on her and fed her rubbish about the new world and demons.
Mr McManus repeatedly told gardaí “I am an innocent man, I have given you a full account” as he was questioned about the murder. When asked about his daughters’ statements, he said “I can see that any solicitor will wipe the floor with those conflicting statements”.
He told gardaí that he had convinced Melissa to go into care and was trying to get her off the streets. He said she was drinking and taking drugs with other young people in houses in Sligo. He said he had taken her “out and about to get her away from trouble in the town”.
When asked if he had had a sexual relationship with Melissa he said, “You’re reading too many papers”.
He said her own parents treated the girl like an animal. He told gardaí that his youngest daughter could clear up the situation and as far as he knew his daughter Shirley Conroy was not privy to what had happened to Melissa.
The trial continues.