Man on trial for murder of Sligo pensioner

A 30-year-old man from Sligo has pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter in connection with the death of a 67-year-old pensioner in September 2012. The accused, of Connaughton Road, Sligo, also pleaded guilty to false imprisonment and trespass to commit robbery at the victim's home on Old Market Street. The Central Criminal Court heard that the deceased was discovered tied up and unconscious by family members on September 21 and died in hospital the following day from bronchial pneumonia resulting from blunt force trauma. The prosecution outlined evidence of sustained violence at the property, with blood found throughout the house and the victim bearing multiple injuries including a fractured skull and broken jaw. The court was told an anonymous 999 call had been made to gardaí indicating a man was tied up near a brown gate, but investigating officers attended the wrong address. The two-week jury trial before Mr Justice Garrett Sheehan continues at the Central Criminal Court.