Murder victim had 11 stab wounds along with incised and slash wounds

Olivia Kelleher

A 61-year-old man who was found dead at his home in Macroom, Co Cork, suffered 11 stab wounds in addition to incised and slash wounds, lacerations and abrasions, a murder trial has heard.

Daniel Hourigan and Linda O’Flynn, both aged 32, are on trial at the Central Criminal Court in Cork, charged with the murder of Michael Foley.

The trial has previously heard that that both accused blame the other for the injuries suffered by Mr Foley. They both deny the murder.

Mr Foley was found dead in the kitchen of his home in Annville Housing Complex in Barrett’s Place, Macroom, Co Cork on February 6th, 2024.

The jury on Wednesday heard evidence from Assistant State Pathologist Dr Margaret Bolster. She said that she attended the home of Mr Foley on the evening of February 6th, 2024.

She noted that there was a large amount of blood smeared on the ground of the kitchen.

The kitchen bin was overturned, and there was a smearing of blood on the bin lid.

Dr Bolster said that there was blood on the walls consistent with a weapon being swung upright.

“There was a lot of blood on the wall up to about six feet in height. The body of a male was lying on the ground.”

She made a note of the fact that there was a mop in the kitchen. It looked like an attempt had been made to clear the floor. There was blood stains on the sofa.

The deceased was lying on his right side with a cushion partially under his head. A second cushion was also blood-stained. There was a large pool of blood under the head of the deceased.

Dr Bolster said that Mr Foley suffered 11 stab wounds to his person. He had also sustained slash and incised wounds. One wound to his scalp cut right through the skin and into the skull bone. Bruising was found on the upper lip and on the lower jaw. Linear abrasions and grazes were also detected on the body.

Dr Bolster said that the right lung had partially collapsed, arising out of a stab wound. A stab wound to the abdomen had also cut through the small bowel. Elevated levels of alcohol were detected in his system.

The jury also heard that Mr Foley had minor bruising to his hands consistent with having defended himself. Dr Bolster said that the “combination of injuries” led to the death of Mr Foley. She said that Mr Foley died of haemorrhage and shock having suffered stab wounds and incised and slashed wounds.

Defence barrister Ray Boland, SC, representing Mr Hourigan, asked if Dr Bolster could tell from the injuries whether they were inflicted on Mr Foley by one or two people. Dr Bolster said that there was absolutely no way of knowing.

Evidence was also given by Dr Craig Mullen of the fingerprint department of Forensic Science Ireland. He said that a print found on a mug in the kitchen of Michael Foley’s home matched the right ring finger of Linda O’Flynn. A print from the door frame of the bedroom matched the left palm of Daniel Hourigan.

Both defendants are charged with the murder of Michael Foley at a date unknown between January 31st and February 1st, 2024, both dates inclusive, in Macroom, Co Cork.

They have both pleaded guilty to acting in such a way as to impede the apprehension of an offender contrary to Section 7 Subsection 2 of the Criminal Law Act, 1997.

Ms Hourigan is originally from Farranree on the northside of Cork city, whilst Ms O’Flynn previously resided at Hollyhill in Cork.

Mr Foley was a native of Clonakilty in west Cork. The case continues.