'He accepts he killed him' – trial begins in Waterford as man (36) stands accused of murder
Waterford Courthouse.
The trial of a man accused of murder opened on Friday, April 24, at Waterford Central Criminal Court.
Wayne Roche (35), of Dominic’s Place, Waterford City, stands accused on one count of murder committed on a date between December 30–31, 2024, at 17 Cluain Fada, Morrissyland, New Ross, Co. Wexford.
John O’Connor (59) was discovered at his home on the morning of December 31 by his daughter. He was found lying on his back in a pool of blood.
Earlier in the week, presiding Judge Patrick McGrath discharged a jury due to an issue with a juror.
In front of a new jury panel, Mr Roche made a guilty plea for manslaughter, while maintaining his not guilty plea to murder. The plea was submitted to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), who rejected the application and instructed that the murder trial proceed.
Mr Roche is being represented by John Byrne SC. Family members of both the accused and deceased were in attendance at the trial. Mr Roche wore a grey Under Armour jumper and wrote numerous notes to his legal team throughout the proceedings.
Prosecutor Dean Kelly SC opened the trial to the jury of eight women and four men. He said: “This is a dispute between the people of Ireland and Wayne Roche. It’s not between John O’Connor’s family and Wayne Roche.” Mr Kelly explained the nuances between a charge of murder and manslaughter. “He accepts that he killed John O’Connor,” said Mr Kelly.
“Human beings kill each other for all sorts of reasons. It is the prosecution’s case that Wayne Roche murdered John O’Connor. The case will concern his state of mind.”
In the opening address, the jury heard about the post mortem that was completed on the deceased. Dr Yvonne McCarthy carried out the procedure on January 1, 2025, and documented "multiple traumatic injuries" on the victim. Mr O’Connor is understood to have suffered five fractured ribs and significant abdominal bleeding.
The cause of death was reported as haemorrhagic shock, with cirrhosis of the liver as a contributary factor.
Crime scene manager Detective Garda Cathal Hannigan gave testimony about the investigation of the case. He stated that over 400 photographs were taken at the flat at Cluain Fada. Detective Garda Caitriona Grace took photographs of the post mortem and the clothing recovered from the deceased.
The jury watched 35 minutes of doorbell footage and CCTV footage from different areas of New Ross from December 30-31, 2024. Footage showed John O’Connor walking with a friend from the SuperValu in New Ross and towards his home on the morning of December 30. Footage from later in the day showed Wayne Roche walking in New Ross alongside Chloe O’Connor, daughter of John. It is understood that they went to Cluain Fada for a short time, before both leaving and going their separate ways.
Mr Roche can be seen in doorbell footage alone and limping outside Cluain Fada at 22.47 that evening. At 10.51 the next morning, Roche can be seen limping nearby Cluain Fada, before making his way back into New Ross.
The trial will continue on Tuesday morning, April 28.
