DNA on knife matches that of dead woman, court hears

DNA on a knife found in the car of a retired member of the Defence Forces matched that of a woman he is accused of murdering in Co Westmeath four years ago, a jury has heard.

Jimmy Devaney (66) of Monksland, Athlone has pleaded not guilty at the Central Criminal Court to murdering Marie Greene (37) in Westmeath on February 13th, 2011.

The court has heard that Ms Greene, who was working as a prostitute, was last seen alive on February 13th and her body was found in a bog near Ballykieran outside Athlone nine days later.

Det Garda Lynn Johnson told Alex Owens SC, prosecuting, that she recovered a number of items on February 22nd from the area.

The court heard that on February 21st the accused was arrested at his home. Mr Devaney’s phone was taken from him and items including a bloodstained shirt were recovered from his house. An examination of Mr Devaney’s phone showed contact had been recorded on 60 occasions between the phone number of the accused and that of Ms Greene.

The trial continues.