Murder accused told gardaí he turned gun on self for ‘peace of mind’, trial hears

A murder trial has heard that the accused man turned a gun on himself for “peace of mind” hours after his wife was shot in the family home.

Oliver Kierans (57) of Drumbannon, Bailieborough in Cavan has pleaded not guilty to murdering Patricia Kierans (54) on September 5th 2013 at the same address.

He also pleaded not guilty to unlawful possession of a 12 gauge double barrel shotgun and not guilty to possession of the same shotgun with intent to endanger life.

Taking to the stand, Detective Garda Jerome Crawford confirmed with Garret Baker BL prosecuting that on September 9th, he asked the accused in a Garda interview where the shotgun was adapted to which he replied: “In the shed”.

Det Garda Crawford confirmed that when asked if the accused had the gun when he first met Patricia at Thomas Street carpark on September th before they both drove to the family home together, he said ‘no’.

When asked what their conversation was like in the carpark, the accused had replied “there was no screaming or shouting”.

The court heard that when he was in The Square Bar in Bailieborough on the afternoon of September 5th a gunshot had gone off.

Det Garda Crawford said that when the accused was asked “what about the gunshot you left off in the pub” , he replied “the gun slipped and fell, I had gone and turned the gun to my chest to shoot myself for piece of mind”,”

Det Garda Crawford said that when the accused was asked if it was because he had killed Patricia Kierans and could not live with that, the accused replied “I’d say so, I was hurting, I knew wee Pat was gone”.

The trial continues this afternoon before Ms Justice Aileen Donnelly and a jury of five women and seven men.