‘Tissue of lies’ - Waterford man accused of murder described as a ‘self-serving liar’
Waterford Courthouse.
A Waterford man accused of murder gave evidence in his own defence at Waterford Central Criminal Court.
Wayne Roche (35), of Dominic’s Place, Waterford city, denies murdering his father-in-law on a date between December 30-31, 2024. He is pleading not guilty.
John ‘King’ O’Connor was discovered dead at his home at 17 Cluain Fada, New Ross, Co Wexford on the morning of December 31, 2024. He was discovered lying in a pool of blood by his daughter Chloe, who was in a relationship with Roche at the time.
Roche was arrested a short time afterwards at New Ross bus station. He was charged with murder on January 2, 2025.
On Tuesday, May 12, Wayne Roche told the jury of eight women and four men that he would never have harmed John O’Connor and had little recall of the events leading up to and after the death of Mr O’Connor. He described Mr O’Connor as a peaceful, friendly man who avoided going to pubs because of the risk of seeing a fight.
Roche referred to the deceased as his friend and father-in-law, saying: “I got on better with John than I did with Chloe most of the time.”
He later commented: “John gave me a chance. Previous girlfriends, their families didn’t give me a chance but John gave me a chance.”
Defence counsel John Byrne SC asked his client about his background. Roche described his struggle with anxiety, and his self-medicating with benzodiazepam and heroin.
He said: “It can be consuming, it consumes my whole life. Walking down the street, collecting money is a battle.”
When asked by Mr Byrne why he bought street alprazolam instead of prescription, he said: “I had no doctor at the time so I had no choice in the matter.”
On the date in question, Roche said that he went into Waterford with his partner Chloe to pick up social welfare and buy drugs, including 60 Tramex alprazolam tablets. He claimed that they smoked "a bag of heroin" and later several rocks of crack cocaine at Waterford Bus Station.
They travelled to New Ross and met with John O’Connor to share the news of Chloe’s pregnancy. Roche told the court that he cannot recollect anything from that evening after saying goodbye to Chloe outside Corcoran’s off-licence. He claimed that the combination of Tramex and alcohol had caused him to ‘black-out’ until he woke up on the morning of December 31 in the flat.
Mr Byrne referenced the violent voice memo he made that night of December 30, threatening to kill someone known to Mr O’Connor over an Xbox.
Roche said: “The things I said were absolutely disgusting. I am ashamed and humiliated but if anyone offended John I’d put myself in front of him.”
Roche stressed that both he and the deceased were drinking and "on tablets" on the night of December 30. He couldn’t recall when Michael Bancewicz left the flat. (The court heard previously that Mr Bancewicz left shortly before 9pm.)
Roche said that he knew Mr O’Connor was dead when he woke up the next day, but he attempted CPR on his body and knocked on neighbour’s doors for help.
He said: “I knew John was gone but I didn’t want to face it. My plan was to go to Waterford as soon as possible and take an overdose.”
Prosecutor Dean Kelly SC cross-examined Roche throughout the morning and into the afternoon. The prosecutor and the accused went back and forth over the events that led up to the death of the victim, with Roche repeatedly asserting that he had no recollection of the night of December 30.
Mr Kelly began: “No one can deny in this case that John O’Connor was beaten to death in his own home.”
Roche replied: “No doubt that there was a fight.”
“You are in no position to say that there was a fight,” said Mr Kelly.
The barrister went on to describe Roche as a "self-serving liar" who has fed the jury "a tissue of lies". Mr Kelly referred to the voice note he made threatening violence against another man. Roche said: “I wouldn’t put him in a box over an Xbox.”
“You killed John O’Connor for no reason at all,” replied Mr Kelly.
Roche explained that he left the flat because he was in shock upon seeing Mr O’Connor’s body on the ground and that he left the flat because he knew his partner was going to arrive.
He said: “I didn’t want to be there when Chloe arrived.
“What I’m telling you is the God’s honest truth. My life has been destroyed and I have to live with the fact that John is gone.”
Mr Kelly pointed to Roche’s violent outbursts at Mr Bancewicz, medical staff, security guards and members of An Garda Síochána during the two-day period. Throughout his time at University Hospital Waterford, Roche made a rape threat against a Garda Detective’s daughter, threw homophobic insults towards a doctor and made racist remarks against security guards. Roche claimed that there was an effort to "turn people against me" and that Mr Kelly was trying to "manipulate" the truth.
He said: “I think a few words were added, to kick someone when they are down.”
Mr Kelly asked: “Did you kick John O’Connor when he was down?”
“I can’t remember that ever happening,” he answered.
The trial continues.
