Geraldine McMenamy, mother of man who brutally beat his partner, stands trial for impeding the course of justice.

Geraldine McMenamy, mother of Paul McMenamy.

Judge Patricia Ryan presided over the trial of Geraldine McMenamy who faces six separate charges relating to the assault of her son’s girlfriend.

The trial took place in court seven of the CCJ on the 25^th of February 2014.

The accused son, Paul McMenamy is serving a six year sentence for the serious assault of his then girlfriend, Nicola Murray.

Paul McMenamy (28) of Donomore Green pleaded guilty to intentionally or recklessly causing serious harm to care worker Nicola Murray at Reuben Walk, Rialto on the 5^th of February 2012. His previous convictions include assaults on two former girlfriends in 2005 and 2008.

Nicola left her three children in the care of babysitter Amy Dunbell, who was the first witness called to give evidence today, before leaving the house on Saturday the 5^th of February 2012 with her partner Paul McMenamy.

The pair went to The Bird Flanagan pub on the night. Maurice McCabe, a barman on the pub, gave evidence today and said Nicola was drinking vodka and red bull for the night and she was “gargled drunk” at the end of the night.

Nicola Murray, mother of three, who was left comatose after a brutal beating from Paul McMenamy.

Mr McCabe, who is also a childhood friend of Nicola Murray, said they left the premises at 1:45am. They arrived home shortly after 2.20am and let the babysitter go.

A neighbour, Ellen Geary, who was called to the stand to give evidence today said she was awoken by her child in the early hours of Sunday 6^th of February 2012 and she claimed to have heard “unusual banging” coming from the house next door, 37 Reuben Walk, belonging to Nicola Murray.

Paul McMenamy told his mother Geraldine that Nicola Murray “went wild and ran amok with vodka” and she came at him with a knife which was found under the bed. He attributed the head injuries sustained to when she accidentally “whacked her head off the bed.”

Paul McMenamy, now serving six years for the assault of his ex-girlfriend Nicola Murray. His mother now stands trial.

Paul made ten phone calls to a friend of Nicola’s, Rachel Carney. Ms Carney openly wept in court as she gave evidence to the court. Rachel Carney noted that Nicola was lying in her bed unconscious with bruised eyes and swelling on the left side of her head and ear. She said Nicola “was unrecognisable at first.”

Rachel arrived at the house and Geraldine McMenamy was already in the bedroom with Paul McMenamy. Rachel was distraught as she said “in hindsight I should have called an ambulance but Paul convinced me it was ok”.

Geraldine is charged with: washing the bloody eye of Nicola Murray with the intention to impede the arrest of Paul McMenamy, changing the clothes of Nicola Murray with the intention to impede the arrest of Paul McMenamy, washing the body of Nicola Murray after she soiled herself  with the intention to impede the arrest of Paul McMenamy, providing a cash amount to Paul McMenamy to leave the country the night of February 5 2012 with the intention to impede the arrest of Paul McMenamy, providing carriage in a vehicle for Paul McMenamy to Dublin Airport on the night of February 5 2012 with the intention to impede the arrest of Paul McMenamy, painting the bedroom wall of Nicola Murray’s bedroom with the intention to impede the arrest of Paul McMenamy.

Geraldine McMenamy pleaded not guilty to all six charges.

The jury of seven males and five females were asked to withdraw to their chambers on six separate occasions today as Mr Condon, S.C. for Geraldine McMenamy, made an application for Mr Clarke S.C for the D.P.P misleading the jury with ambiguous questions aimed at witness, Colette Gaffney, an aunt of Nicola Murray who arrived at the house Sunday afternoon.

Nicola’s unconscious body was not removed from the house until Sunday afternoon. She was later transferred to St James Hospital for three weeks before spending a six week period in BeaumontHospital. On her release from hospital she spent time in National Rehabilitation Centre in Dun Laoghaire.

Photographs of the crime scene were presented by Garda Daniel McCarthy of Donnybrook Garda Station as the trial came to a close on day one.

S.DAWSON 26/02/14