27/03/2009

Bourke Murder Jury To Hear Closing Statements

The jury in the trial of a 49-year-old Dublin man accused of murder after he stabbed his wife will soon be asked to decide a verdict.

Closing arguments are being heard today after the accused, David Bourke of Laverna Dale, Castleknock, denied the murder of Jean Gilbert on 28 August 2007.

The accused is relying on the defence of provocation and said that his state of mind left him unable to prevent himself from killing his wife.

Counsel for the defence Colm Smith told the jury that this had been a sad and tragic tale from beginning to end after the victim was knifed to death in front of the couple's three children.

However, prosecuting counsel told the jury that the defence of provocation "could not stand" because the evidence showed a careful and calculated thought process in the run-up to his wife's death.

The Bourke family was an ordinary one until a man, Robert Campion re-entered the life of Jean Gilbert.

He was alleged to have wrecked the marriage and seduced Jean Gilbert, causing her to be infatuated.

Mr Bourke killed his wife, but the only question was whether he was guilty of murder or manslaughter, Colm Smith added.

(BMcC)

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