20/05/2009

Murder Case Hears 'Over 200 Calls Logged'

The murder trial of a 44-year-old Sligo man, Ronnie Dunbar has heard that the alleged victim has contacted him by mobile phone in excess of 200 times.

The court heard this took place over a period between August 28th, 2006, and when she vanished in September that year.

Evidence was given that Melissa Mahon contacted him from her phone 210 times.

The defendant, who comes from Rathbraughan Park in Sligo, denies murdering the 14-year-old in September, 2006.

The jury has been hearing details of the records of the mobile phones of the 14-year-old and Mr Dunbar, who is accused of her murder.

The court heard the number of both calls and texts made from her phone to Mr Dunbar's came to 210 in that two-week period leading up to her disappearance.

It is alleged that McManus strangled Melissa, who disappeared from HSE care on September 14, before putting her body in a sleeping bag and dumping it in the River Bonnet, which flows into Lough Gill.

Melissa's remains were found on the shores of the lake in February 2008.

(BMcC/JM)

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