13/01/2009

Tip Man Gets Life Over Limerick Murder

A 24-year-old Tipperary man has been given a life sentence for beating to death a woman in a Limerick hotel over a year ago.

Gerard McGrath of Ballywalter, Cashel, pleaded guilty to murdering Sylvia Roche Kelly at The Clarion Hotel in Limerick on December 8th, 2007.

Mrs Roche Kelly, who was 34 at the time of her murder met McGrath during her birthday celebrations in a nightclub.

A mother of two, who was separated from her husband at the time, agreed to go to the McGrath's hotel room where he eventually violently beat her and then choked her to death.

Her naked body was found lying face down in the bath by hotel staff the next afternoon. Staff became suspicious at 1.00pm the next day when McGrath failed to check out.

The court was shown CCTV footage of McGrath leaving at around 11.00am. He then left the country but returned three days later and was arrested. He told gardaí he had had sex with the victim and had a conversation during which he became enraged by comments.

Mr Justice Barry White imposed the mandatory life sentence and said McGrath had taken the life of an innocent woman.

(DW/BMcC)

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