Man accused of farmer’s murder ‘had hand injuries’

A MAN accused of murdering a 90year-old retired farmer had injuries on his hands and bruising on his thigh, a trial jury has heard.

Detective Garda Joe Wyse told prosecution counsel John O’Kelly SC that he took photographs of accused Ross Outram’s injuries in Dungarvan Garda station on February 28, 2017.

The witness agreed with Mr O’Kelly that photos showed ‘a mark’ on the knuckle of Mr Outram’s middle finger on his left hand, bruising and a scrape to the inside of the accused’s left thigh and ‘a cut’ to the knuckle of Mr Outram’s right index finger.

Det Gda Wyse yesterday that he went to victim Paddy Lyons’s home at Ballysaggart, Co. Waterford, on February 25, 2017. There he saw a damaged padlock at the entrance to the property and ‘skid marks’ outside the house.

He observed what he believed to be fingermarks on the front door and a ‘blood-like substance’ around these marks. Paramedics told Det Gda Wyse that Mr Lyons had a ‘deep laceration’ to his head.

Detective Garda Martin Keohane said he arrested Mr Outram on suspicion of Mr Lyons’s murder on February 27 and took a Samsung phone, €160 in cash and a set of keys off him.

Detective Garda Shay Keevans gave evidence that he searched Mr Outram’s house after his arrest and said a blue Volkswagen Passat was concealed at the rear and no number plates were displayed. There was damage to the bumper as well as to the sides of the vehicle, he added.

Furthermore, the witness said a grey hoodie with ‘possible bloodstains’ was found in the bedroom and he later became aware that Mr Lyons’ DNA was on this hoodie.

Ross Outram, 28, of Ferryland, Clonmel in Co. Tipperary, has pleaded not guilty at the Central Criminal Court to murdering Paddy Lyons at Loughleagh, Ballysaggart, Lismore, Co. Waterford, at a time unknown between February 23 and 26, 2017.

The trial continues before Judge Paul Coffey.