Kierans murder trial latest fatal wound was shotgun injury to chest

Anne Sharkey
At the CCJ

A murder trial has heard that the cause of death of a Cavan mother of four, Patricia Kierans more than one year ago at the family home, was a shotgun injury to the chest.

Oliver Kierans (57) of Drumbannon Bailieborough in Cavan has pleaded not guilty to murdering Patricia Kierans (54) on September 5th, 2013 at the same address.

He also pleaded not guilty to unlawful possession of a 12 gauge double barrel shotgun and not guilty to possession of the same shotgun with intent to endanger life.

Taking to the stand this morning (Wednesday), State Pathologist Professor Marie Cassidy confirmed with Michael O'Higgins SC prosecuting that she had attended the Kierans family home in Bailieborough on September 6th, 2013.

Reading from a report, Professor Cassidy told the court that she observed a 'single shot to the chest' of Patricia Kierans.

'I noted the body of an adult female of slim build with a 4.5centimetres (cm) irregular hole on the upper front part of the body. There was blood over the right half of the face, the right side of the neck and a shotgun injury to the right upper chest, two centimetres below the collar bone.'

'The wound measured 4.5cm across by 5.5cm down and the margin of the hole was irregular almost like the petals of a flower.'

'There was a shotgun wound to the upper right lung and damage to the lower part of the left lung. There were entry and exit wounds to sac of the heart but otherwise, her heart had been healthy.

'This woman was found dead in the family home lying in pool of blood with a single shot to the chest. The injuries were of such severity that death would have been almost immediate. The cause of her death was a shotgun injury to the chest.'

The trial continues this afternoon before Ms Justice Aileen Donnelly and a jury of five women and seven men.