Waterford man John O’Brien has been found not guilty of murdering his wife Meg Walsh in 2006.
Meg Walsh
The mother of one's body was recovered from the River Suir on October 15th. She had died from blunt force trauma to the head.
Mr O'Brien (41) with an address in Ballinakill Downs, Co Waterford denied murdering 35-year-old Meg Walsh on a date between October 1st 2006 and October 15th 2006, somewhere within the State.
Meg Walsh’s brother John today said the family were numbed and devastated by the decision.
"We are at a loss to know why this would happen to us. Meg lived through a terrible ordeal and kept her terrible difficulties to herself", he said.
"Justice would never have brought Meg back, but at least it would have
given some meaning to the way she suffered and her bravery," he said.
Mr O'Brien's solicitor, Finola Cronin said: "John and his family would like to thank the jury for looking at the facts and reaching their decision."
"We would ask the media to respect their privacy and allow them to grieve for Meg and for John's father who passed away during this traumatic time," he said.
Speaking in his own defence this week, Mr O'Brien told the court he had taken "no hand, act or part" in his wife's murder.
The Central Criminal Court jury was sent to a hotel overnight. It returned a verdict of not guilty today after deliberating for a total of five hours and 20 minutes.
The jury had been told that the prosecution's case was based almost entirely on circumstantial evidence. The murder weapon was never found and the exact location of her death had never been established.
Mr O'Brien showed no emotion as the verdict was read out. His sisters Teresa and Jackie burst into tears as did Sasha Keating, Meg Walsh's daughter from her first marriage.
Addressing the jury, Mr Justice Barry White said: "Sitting in judgement on your fellow man is not an easy task. You have spent the last four weeks sitting in judgement and have taken your task and duty seriously." He exempted them from jury duty for two years.