Murderer who slit man's throat for no known reason loses appeal

Gerard Manning, aged 38, of Limerick but originally from Belturbet in County Cavan, has had his murder conviction upheld following an appeal to the Court of Appeal. Manning was convicted in 2013 of murdering Martin Purcell, a 54-year-old father-of-two, at his home on Wickham Street in Limerick in September 2011. Mr Purcell sustained 41 wounds and died from a throat laceration that severed his jugular vein. Manning had pleaded not guilty and denied knowing the victim, but forensic evidence including his fingerprints found in the victim's blood proved decisive at trial. A jury returned a guilty verdict by majority, and Manning received the mandatory life sentence. The Court of Appeal dismissed grounds of appeal relating to the admission of evidence, including a knife found near Manning's flat, and alleged non-disclosure by gardaí. The court determined the trial was satisfactory and the conviction safe. Gardaí have stated no motive for the killing has been established.