THE GARDA investigation into the disappearance and death of 35-year-old Waterford woman Meg Walsh is ongoing following the acquittal earlier this year of her husband on a charge of murdering her, a court was told yesterday.
Insp Pádraig Dunne told Waterford District Court that the circumstances of Ms Walsh's death remained under active investigation.
Ms Walsh's husband, John O'Brien, applied under the terms of the Police Property Act for the return of a number of items seized by gardaí. His barrister Elaine Morgan said while gardaí had agreed to return most of the items, a number still remained outstanding. Gardaí wanted to retain possession of a bank card, a wallet and black purse, a Mitsubishi Carisma car which was registered to Ms Walsh, a gold necklace found on her body and a ring, the court was told.
Insp Dunne said gardaí wished to retain these items for evidentiary purposes, as both the car and the ring had contained blood stains. Ms Morgan argued that forensic tests were already carried out on these items.
The court heard that Ms Walsh's daughter from her first marriage, Sasha Keating, is also contesting Mr O'Brien's claim
Judge John Lindsay asked lawyers for both Mr O'Brien and Ms Keating to prepare written submission and gardaí to prepare a written response. He adjourned the matter to April 7th next.