A man on trial for murdering his girlfriend’s father in 1987 told gardaí in 2008 that he was glad it was coming to light, a cold-case murder trial has heard.
Colin Pinder (47), of Liverpool, England has pleaded not guilty to murdering 43-year-old Bernard Brian McGrath but guilty to his manslaughter at the victim’s home in Lower Coole, Westmeath.
His co-accused and former mother-in-law, Vera McGrath (61), has pleaded not guilty to murdering her husband on a date between March 10 and April 18, 1987.
The Central Criminal Court was hearing from Detective Sergeant Michael Buckley of the Serious Crime Review Team at the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation.
He said that in January 2008, he reviewed the file of the murder investigation begun in 1993. He received DNA samples from Mr McGrath’s sons and bones found in Coole were positively identified as Mr McGrath’s.
He said he went to Mr Pinder’s home in Liverpool later that year. Mr Pinder told them he had agoraphobia and did not want to go to a police station, so they interviewed him in his flat.
Mr Pinder said the deceased used to leather the kids with a belt: “He leathered them the night he died.” He said that he then punched Mr McGrath, who spun around and hit his head off the corner of the range.
“There was a lot of panic. Vera said he wasn’t breathing,” he said. “Ronnie said get an ambulance. I agreed.” He said that Mrs McGrath warned him that he’d never see his unborn baby if Mr McGrath survived. He claimed that he got whatever money he had and left for London, leaving Mr McGrath lying on the floor.
“I’m not a murderer. I just wanted to give him a good hiding,” he explained. “I’m in bits since this.”
“I’m prepared to do time for what I did but not for murder,” he said at the end of the interview. “I feel a lot of remorse for what I’ve done.” Mr Pinder told the gardaí he would face any charges here without them needing a European arrest warrant and they left.
He said he dug a shallow grave and they buried him but Mrs McGrath wanted to burn the body the following morning. He said he lit the fire and it burned for about seven hours and that there was nothing left when he went through the ashes.
“I want to add I’m totally ashamed for what I done,” he said after the interview. “It’s been on my mind for 20 years and I’m glad it’s coming to light.” The jury also heard from Dr Colin Doherty, a neurologist at St James’ Hospital. He told Conor Devally SC, defending Mr Pinder, that his client’s epilepsy could affect recollection.
He said the anti-depressants he was taking could also affect his memory and concentration.
The trial continues.