A man charged in connection with the death of his former partner has been acquitted at Waterford Circuit Court.
Keith Hannigan (30), Fatima House, Clonea, Dungarvan, was yesterday cleared of manslaughter in the death of Lorraine Crowley (36) at her apartment in Beach Cottage, O'Connell Street, Dungarvan, on May 19th-20th last year.
Ms Crowley's 14-year-old son, along with his 18-year-old cousin, found her body under a duvet on May 20th. Cushions had been placed at her feet, stomach and head.
The accused, formerly of Philip Street in Waterford city, was arrested at the home of a friend in Co Tipperary following the discovery of Ms Crowley's body. He was charged with manslaughter.
Under questioning at Dungarvan Garda station, Mr Hannigan claimed to have no memory of any involvement in her death but told Det John Fleming that he must have been very angry.
When asked why, he replied, "She died, didn't she?"
State pathologist Dr Marie Cassidy, on the third day of the six-day trial, told the court that Ms Crowley's injuries were consistent with those found in victims of asphyxiation.
Toxicology reports from Beaumont Hospital in Dublin revealed that the amount of ethanol (alcohol) discovered in a blood sample of the deceased was originally found to be 371mg per cent, with 375mg per cent of ethanol present in a urine sample.
However, further testing revealed that the blood sample contained 228mg per cent, which is "between six and eight pub measures of spirits", said Judge Michael O'Shea, adding: "It is also between four and five times the legal drink-driving limit."
It was established that death from acute intoxication was possible given the level of alcohol ingested in the proven time period.
Summing up, the judge said: "I believe, the correct course of the law in this case is to not proceed. I am going to ask you [ the jury] to return a not guilty verdict."