A loan company agent was killed for the money she was due to lodge in the bank, a murder trial jury at the Central Criminal Court heard yesterday.
Opening the prosecution's case, Seán Gillane told the jury that Mary Walsh (54) had sustained nine head injuries that caused significant damage to her skull and brain. She was also found with a piece of rope around her neck, which also contributed to her death.
He said the jury would also hear that Samuel Jennings (61) was due to meet Ms Walsh on August 30th, 2004. After this date Mr Jennings saw a significant improvement in his financial condition and there were lodgments in bank accounts associated with him.
It was the opening day of the trial of Mr Jennings, previously of Ashtown, Kilmacthomas, Co Waterford, who has pleaded not guilty to the murder of Ms Walsh, a mother of two, Glendalligan, Kilrossanty, Co Waterford, in August 2004. Her body was found in the boot of a car on August 31st.
The jury of 10 men and two women heard that Ms Walsh worked as an agent for Provident Personal Credit Ltd. It was part of her job to lodge the loan repayments she had collected.
Mr Jennings had spent a brief time working for the same company and he was also a client. Ms Walsh had given him training for the job, Mr Gillane told the jury.
"At the time of the killing Samuel Jennings was in serious financial difficulty. He had acquired a knowledge of the business and a knowledge of the lodgment of the money."
Peadar Walsh said that on August 29th his wife Mary had placed the lodgment bag beside the bed ready to bring to the bank the next morning. He reported her missing at about 7pm on August 30th when she failed to return home. The trial continues before Mr Justice Barry White and the jury.