Colm Deely denies killing Deirdre McCarthy on or about the 28th of March 2011.

Opening the trial, prosecution barrister Paul Greene SC told the jury the setting for this case was the tourist village of Ballyvaughan.

He said they would hear evidence Deirdre McCarthy lived and worked just outside the town and on Sunday March 27th 2011 she was socialising in Logues pub with friends.

A friend drove her home to Turlough House at around 11.30pm. She was to babysit her friend’s children the following day but never showed up.

Gardai launched an investigation into her disappearance and carried out searches with help from concerned neighbours.

The jury heard the 43 year old woman’s body was found at Fanore Beach by a member of the public on Thursday 31st March.

Strangulation

Mr Greene said there would be pathology evidence that she died as a result of asphyxia and strangulation and from blows to her head and body.

He said her mobile phone was found in 2 parts at different locations on the beach.

The prosecution has indicated it will call evidence about traffic between the phones of Deirdre McCarthy and Colm Deely of School Road, Ballyvaughan who is accused of her murder.

The court was told he was a friend of hers, that there will be evidence he was in Logues pub on the evening before her disappearance and that he was allegedly the last person to see her alive.

The trial is due to last 3 weeks.