Man (70) pleads not guilty to murder of partner in Rathmines

A 70-year-old man has gone on trial at the Central Criminal Court charged with murdering his partner two years ago.

Desmond Duffy replied "not guilty" when charged with the murder of Des Sullivan (59) at the home they shared in Somerville Park, Rathmines, Dublin 6 on May 23rd, 2016.

The trial is expected to last two weeks and will be presided over by Mr Justice Paul McDermott.

Mr Justice McDermott told the jury of six men and six women to return on Tuesday when the trial will begin.

He said they are the sole judges of fact in the case and they should not discuss it with anyone outside their number.