Jury asked to consider defences of duress and reasonable excuse

A jury at the Central Criminal Court has been instructed to consider defences of duress and reasonable excuse in the trial of a 34-year-old woman charged with impeding the apprehension of her boyfriend in connection with a death in Kilnaleck, County Cavan. The accused is charged with placing a cord around the neck of a 49-year-old housemate in June 2014 to simulate suicide, allegedly to conceal that her death was suspicious. The defendant, who pleaded not guilty, told gardaí she acted under duress, fearing for her life after witnessing the alleged killing. The prosecution contended there was no reasonable excuse for her actions, highlighting that she returned to her boyfriend after release and remained with him. The defence argued the jury should assess whether a reasonable person in her circumstances would have feared death. Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy clarified that the prosecution must prove the act occurred without reasonable excuse, with duress applying where threats of immediate death override ordinary human resistance. The trial continues.