DNA of accused matches that from murder scene, court hears
A human identification expert has told a murder trial jury this morning that there was evidence that the DNA profile of one of two men accused of murder matched extracts taken from the victim's body.
At her lab in the UK, Dr Denise Syndercombe analysed several DNA extracts from swabs taken from the body of Ms Nora Kiely who was found dead in her flat in Leitrim St, Cork City two years ago.
Giving evidence at the Central Criminal court today, Dr Syndercombe said the matching profile from the deceased's rectal swabs was "evidentially very weak" but that "all components on Brian Walsh's profile were observed".
Mr Thomas Penkert (aged 21) and Mr Brian Walsh (aged 22) have pleaded not guilty to the murder of Ms Nora Kiely on 15 July 2002 at her home on Leitrim St., Cork City. However, they have both admitted robbing Ms Kiely of less than €20 in cash and two items of jewellery. The two men have denied a charge that they attempted to enter another flat in the building with intent to inflict grievous bodily harm on another tenant, Ms Tatton the same day.
The trial continues before Mr Justice Diarmuid O'Donovan.
