Dog walker found body of dead teenager, murder trial heard

Doctor Alan Moran, who pronounced Mr Reilly dead at the scene, also gave evidence today that Gardaí had alerted him to a strip of cloth found 100 meters from the body in a field at Shamrock Hill in Dunleer, Co Louth became.

In response to cross-examination by defense attorney Aaron Connolly, 22, of Willistown, Drumcar, Dr. Moran that the strip “may have matched the markings” he observed on Mr Reilly’s neck.

Mr Connolly has pleaded not guilty to the murder of Mr Reilly on 26 May 2018 at Shamrock Hill, Dunleer.

Mr Shiels told District Attorney Dean Kelly SC that he was walking his dogs on the property’s lawn that morning when he discovered Mr Reilly’s body.

Mr Shiels said the teenager was lying on his back and there was “discoloration and bruising” on the right side of his face, neck and neck. He also said there were “many scratch marks” on the front of the neck and the deceased’s hands were “very white and clean.”

“I knew he was dead,” Mr Shiels said.

He said he returned home and told his wife he had found a body in the field before going to his neighbors’ house, who had first aid skills.

Catherine Shiels stated that when her husband told her he had found a body, she initially thought he was wrong and it was just someone who fell asleep in the field.

She told Mr Kelly that she went into shock when she saw the body. She said she saw scratches on the deceased’s neck and bruises on the side of his face. She described the body as “chalky white” and “swollen”.

She told the court that her neighbor Jean Lynch had started CPR on Mr Reilly but his lips were blue and he was “freezing”.

Ms Lynch said she observed that the deceased’s chin area looked “scratched and red”.

“There were no wounds, but his chin was scraped and his tongue was sticking out slightly through his teeth. The eyes were slightly open and there were bruises with bruises and red scuffs on the chin and neck area,” Ms Lynch said.

She said she checked his neck and wrist for a pulse, but felt nothing.

“It was very cold,” she said.

She told the court that she started chest compressions on him and heard “gas coming out.” She said she continued CPR for a few more minutes just to make sure nothing was left to chance.

In response to defense counsel Michael Bowman SC’s cross-examination, Ms Lynch confirmed that the “scuffs or scratch marks” on the deceased’s chin indicated there had been contact with a hard surface and the marks were not something made by her clothing would have been caused.

The paramedic who attended the scene, Debbie McCole, said she noticed a “bulge” on the right side of the body caused by the heart not pumping blood. She said the blood collects in certain spots under the skin and this is an obvious sign of death.

She said the only injury to the body was neck trauma with lots of bruising around the neck.

The court heard from friends of Mr Reilly that during the night a group of people had gathered in the field where alcohol and cannabis were being consumed.

Rebecca McGuinness indicated that she, Mr. Reilly and Adam Fitzgerald took to the field around 9pm to meet up with friends. She said there were between seven and 10 people at the scene, including Aaron Connolly. She said there was another group of people in the corner of the field as well.

Ms McGuinness indicated that several people had been drinking. She said she left around 12.10pm and Mr Reilly gave her a hug and a kiss. She said she did not see Mr. Reilly after that.

In response to Mr Bowman’s cross-examination, Ms McGuinness said she did not know the other group of people who were present at the scene, but described them as “an older group”.

Adam Fitzgerald said he was in the field with friends, and the defendant was also present.

In response to a question from Mr Kelly, Mr Fitzgerald confirmed that some people in the field were “smoking herb”.

He said everyone left the field at the same time, some of whom then went to a local diner, including Mr Reilly.

In response to a question from Mr Bowman, Mr Fitzgerald confirmed that the defendant had already been drinking in the field when he arrived that night.

In his opening remarks at the start of the trial, Mr Kelly said it was the prosecution’s case that Mr Connolly intentionally brought about the death of Cameron Reilly between 12.40am and 1.40am on 26 May.

He told the jury there could be no doubt that Mr Reilly was alive just before 1am and subsequently died violently. The attorney said it was up to her to decide whether or not Aaron Connolly did it.

The trial will continue Friday before Justice Tony Hunt and the jury of seven women and five men.