Witness Tells Nadine Lott Murder Trial Of Meeting With Acused In Laragh

A member of the public who came to the aid of a man on trial for murder claims he told him he had killed his wife because she was with his friend.

Daniel Murtagh, of Melrose Grove, Clondalkin in Dublin, has pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of Nadine Lott at her home in Arklow, but denies her murder.

While driving through Laragh, County Wicklow on the morning of December 14th 2019, John Begley noticed a car in a ditch at a sharp bend.

A short distance away, he said he saw a man keel over as he staggered up the road. It was the accused, 34 year old Daniel Murtagh.

Mr Begley noticed blood on the side of his head and he said he got very agitated when the guards arrived.

When they did, Mr Begley said the man told him he had killed his wife because she was with his friend. He followed up by saying he hoped she wasn’t dead.

A paramedic called Patrick Naughton said Mr Murtagh told him he had killed his girlfriend as he was assessing his injuries on the side of the road. He said he kept telling him how much he loved her and that they’d had a fight.

Mr Murtagh admits killing Nadine Lott, a few hours before that but denies her murder, claiming he didn’t intend to kill her or cause her serious harm.