Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

Leon Farrell/Photocall Ireland

State Pathologist says she was surprised by Graham Dwyer guilty verdict

“We knew there was no pathology evidence to support anything, so it came down to what other evidence did they have.”

DR MARIE CASSIDY, the State Pathologist, has said she was surprised by the ‘guilty’ verdict delivered in the Graham Dwyer murder trial.

Speaking at an event at University Hospital Limerick, she said she hadn’t expected the trial to proceed, due to a lack of pathological evidence.

“We knew there was no pathology evidence to support anything, so it came down to what other evidence did they have,” Cassidy said.

“It’s up to them to make a case and to present this case, and if they think the case is going to stand up in court, the DPP will go ahead with it.

“In that case I thought ‘no, they’ll not go ahead with it’,” she explained.

On the day of the verdict, in March, she said she had been expecting the jury to reach the opposite verdict.

We were waiting for the verdict coming in, and we were sitting outside [saying] ‘ah it will be not guilty, has to be not guilty’.

Dwyer was sentenced to life in prison on 20 April, with Justice Tony Hunt saying it was a punishment he “richly deserves”.

The Foxrock architect was found guilty on 27 March of the murder of Elaine O’Hara, who was last seen on 22 August 2012. Her remains were found on Killakee mountain a year later.

More: How long will Graham Dwyer be in prison for?

Graham Dwyer judge: ‘You can’t convict a man of murder and have any lingering doubts’

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

Close
81 Comments
    Submit a report
    Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
    Thank you for the feedback
    Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.
    JournalTv
    News in 60 seconds