Graham Dwyer trial: Over 20 gardaí searched home, office

More than 20 gardaí searched the home and workplace of murder accused Graham Dwyer on October 17th, 2013, the Central Criminal Court has been told.

Gardaí arrived at Mr Dwyer’s door, in Kerrymount Close, Foxrock, Co Dublin, at 7am that Thursday.

An hour later, a separate Garda team arrived at the offices of A&D Wejchert, Lower Baggot Street, Dublin 2, where the accused worked as an architect.

Mr Dwyer (42) is charged with murdering childcare worker Elaine O'Hara (36), on August 22nd, 2012. He has pleaded not guilty.

Insp Brian O’Keeffe told the court he obtained the warrants for the searches from Dún Laoghaire District Court on October 16th, 2013, and was in charge of the search of Mr Dwyer’s home.

Gardaí went to the front and back door of the property shortly after 7am and Mr Dwyer answered the door. He was arrested and gardaí began searching the property at 8.40am.

The family’s cars, an Audi and a Land Rover, were taken away for technical examination, the court heard.

The search continued until the early hours of the morning, was suspended and then resumed at 8am, finishing at 11am on October 18th.

Insp O’Keeffe agreed with Remy Farrell SC, for the defence, that items removed from the house included a hard drive, USBs and a “bull-clip”.

Removed

Asked if the bull-clip was removed because others were found at “Site B”, a site separate from where Ms O’Hara’s remains were found at Kilakee Mountain, Rathfarnham, the inspector agreed.

Garda Michael McArdle, exhibits officer during the search of Mr Dwyer’s workplace, gave evidence of seizing items there. These included computers and laptops, a computer memory stick, a membership certificate for Roundwood Golden Eagles, a business card for the International Aerobatic Club and a letter from Tower Hobbies.

Records were seized, including a 3G mobile phone record for 2011, an annual corporate membership of the Irish-Polish Business Association for Mr Dwyer, and emails from him about his pay.

There were printouts from a Visa card, a feasibility study form for travel to Poland, a timesheet for 2012, and a mileage spreadsheet and payslips for 2012 and 2013.

Timesheet

Gardaí also seized Mr Dwyer’s daily attendance record from May 30th, 2010, to October 7th, 2013, his holiday attendance sheet and a timesheet from July 1st to July 22nd, 2012.

The court also heard items taken from Site B included masking tape, plastic sheeting, twine or rope and water bottles, items of clothing, including grey trousers, denim shorts, a diving mask and a number of bull clips.

Garda Fionnuala Whelan, exhibits officer at the scene, said a condom and wrapper, spotted on September 16th, had not been seized until September 21st because they were believed to be “fresh” and so not relevant to the investigation. A decision was made on September 21st to include them, she said.

Asked by Mr Farrell why her statement said she had seized two condoms, Garda Whelan said she believed that was “an error”.

The trial before Mr Justice Tony Hunt continues.