Grave digger replies 'not guilty' as trial for murder of former partner begins

A grave digger will go on trial this week accused of murdering his former partner on the northside of Dublin six years ago. 

Martin Hayes, 34, with an address at Poddle Close, Crumlin, Dublin 12, was arraigned before the Central Criminal Court on Monday.

Mr Hayes is charged with murdering mother-of-two Amadea McDermott (27) at her home in Rathvale Drive, Ayrfield, Coolock on or about July 20, 2017. 

When the registrar read the indictment to the accused man and asked him how he was pleading, he replied: "Not guilty".

The prosecution case is being led by senior counsel Sean Gillane, while Ronan Munro SC is heading up the defence team. 

Addressing the jury panel, Mr Gillane said the events concerned evolved on July 19 into the early hours of July 20, 2017 at Ms McDermott's home. The lawyer said Ms McDermott and the accused were in a relationship with each other at the time. 

Mr Gillane said Ms McDermott has several sisters, whom the jury will hear from and that they would also hear from other witnesses. The garda witnesses in the case are attached to Coolock and Malahide Garda Stations, he added. 

Mr Munro said his client's family come from Kimmage in Dublin 12 and that they still live there. The barrister said that Mr Hayes was working as a grave digger in Mount Jerome cemetery in Harold's Cross at the time. 

Mr Justice Tony Hunt swore in a jury of eight men and four women to hear the trial, which will begin before Mr Justice Paul McDermott on Tuesday morning and is expected to last up to four weeks.