Murder trial told of horrific injuries inflicted on mum

A MUM of three who was found dead in a flat had 125 bruises, cuts and lacerations on her body, a trial was told.

Cathal O’sullivan, 44, has pleaded not guilty to murdering Nicola Collins at his home in Co Cork last March.

Assistant State Pathologist Dr Margaret Bolster who carried out a postmortem on the 38-year-old’s body said she died of subdural haematoma arising out of blunt force trauma to the head.

She told Justice Eileen Creedon at the Central Criminal Court, sitting in Cork, that when she arrived at the property on Popham’s Road, Farranree, the deceased’s naked body was on the floor.

Ms Bolster said Ms Collins had black eyes, broken front teeth, a swollen and bruised face, blood coming from her nostrils, a fracture of the lower jaw bone, scratch marks, lacerations to the lip, bruises to her face, arms, legs, abdomen, ankles, breastbone and fingers. She added the victim also had old bruising on her thighs, abrasions and grazes to the left eyebrow and a 117g clot as a result of a subdural haematoma. She also sustained a diffuse axonal injury.

Dr Bolster said signs of medical intervention were noted and prescribed drugs were found in her system at the therapeutic range.

Ms Collins was originally from St Brendan’s Park in Tralee, Co Kerry, but was living at Clashduv Road in Cork at the time of the death.

Earlier this week, the court heard O’sullivan, originally from Charleville, told emergency operators over the phone: “Jesus Christ, she is not breathing, like. She is inside in bed. (Asked how old she was) 37 or eight or something like that. F***.

“(Asked if he tried to resuscitate) I pumped her a few times and gave her mouth-to-mouth. Nothing coming back. I am pumping her. She is on the bed.”

Fire Brigade officer Tadhg O’mahony was the first responder at the scene just minutes after the emergency call was logged at 3.09am on March 27 last year.

He immediately started CPR on Ms Collins. He said O’sullivan told him he had done mouth-to-mouth but the victim had not responded.

Mr O’mahony said he advised O’sullivan to go in to another room while CPR was being carried out but he refused.

He told the court the defendant said he was “used to seeing dead people”.

The trial continues.