Cork man tells gardaí he lost ‘soulmate’ as he denies murder of partner in apartment blaze

Olivia Kelleher

A man charged with the murder of his partner who was found with “catastrophic” injuries at a burning apartment in Co Cork told gardaí that he was “replaying a nightmare” having lost his “soulmate” and “best friend.”

Adam Corcoran (31) denies murdering mother of two, Daena Walsh, at their home in John Barry House, on Connolly Street in Midleton on August 2nd, 2024. He also pleaded not guilty to starting a fire which caused thousands of euro worth of damage at the property on the same day.

The trial at a sitting of the Central Criminal Court in Cork previously heard that a 999 call was made by a man who identified himself as Adam Corcoran on the afternoon of August 2nd, 2024.

He said that his partner had stabbed herself in the stomach. When the emergency services arrived at the scene, they found the lifeless body of the deceased. There was also a fire at the apartment.

On Friday, Brendan Grehan, SC, for the defence, cross-examined Det Insp John O’Connell in relation to interviews gardaí conducted with his client. Mr Grehan summarised the statements of the accused. The Detective Inspector agreed with his account.

Grehan said that Corcoran told gardaí that he did not kill Walsh. Instead, he maintained that he loved her and that they were closer than ever. He stated that the death was a suicide.

Corcoran said that 27-year-old Walsh was “his soul mate“ and his “best friend.

“(He told gardaí) that that relationship was the best it had ever been.

(That he) planned to get engaged and was going to propose to her. He planned to buy a home for her and their kids."

"(However) both had relapsed into drink and drugs. He had been drinking that day."

Grehan said that Corcoran told gardaí that he couldn't fathom the situation he found himself in.

"I don't know...it is like replaying a nightmare. I don't understand how I am in a (garda) station? I don't understand...why she would do it (kill herself)? I am gutted.

"How will I tell the kids? It is the worst day of my life."

The jury heard a summary of what Corcoran said to gardaí after he was arrested in connection with the death of his partner.

Corcoran was described as having been “very intoxicated” on the afternoon of his arrest on August 2nd, 2024.

He had slurred speech, was “very intoxicated”, and had a cut over his eye. A decision was made to have him assessed by a GP. Garda Conor McCarthy indicated that Corcoran was “crying” and “not making sense.”

A doctor assessed Corcoran. The native of Ballincollig in Co Cork was deemed not fit for interview for a period of six hours.

Meanwhile, gardaí from the Garda Technical Bureau said that two knives were found at the flat. One was a red-handled bread knife with a red blade, whilst the other was a carving knife with a blue beaded and blue/grey handle.

Det Garda Andrew Gibbons said that the red knife was found in an off-licence bag in the kitchen area. It had visible blood staining. Det Garda Theresa Kelly indicated that the carving knife, which also had visible blood staining, was in a handbag in a bedroom.

Dr James Cafferty of Forensic Science Ireland confirmed that samples tested for DNA revealed that the blood on the blades was that of the deceased. He stated that it was one thousand million times more likely to be hers than an unknown or unrelated person.

Dr Cafferty also said that blood on a jacket, jeans and trainers worn by Corcoran were a DNA match for Ms Walsh.

Pathologist Dr Yvonne McCartney carried out a postmortem on the deceased. She previously told the trial that Ms Walsh had 11 stab wounds and 14 incised wounds. One of the stab wounds had penetrated the sternum and the pericardium of the heart. The left arm of the deceased was partially amputated.

The case will continue next Monday. It is being presided over by Judge Siobhan Lankford.