A man has been found guilty of murdering his ex-girlfriend at her home in Arklow, Co Wicklow just before Christmas in 2019.

Daniel Murtagh - of Melrose Grove, Bawnogue, Clondalkin in Dublin 22 - denied the charge, claiming he was intoxicated and did not mean to hurt her.

Nadine Lott died in hospital on December 17th 2019 – three days after her ex, Daniel Murtagh, subjected her to a beating that left her unrecognisable to her family.

A paramedic described the scene in her apartment as one of the most horrendous ones he had ever walked into.

Murtagh admitted killing her but denied having the intent to kill or cause her serious harm.

He maintained that it never would have happened but for the drink and drugs he had taken that night.

In his closing speech, the prosecuting barrister said there was the clearest intent.

He said it was nothing short of murder, and all of the jurors agreed.

They returned their unanimous verdict after just under six hours of deliberations.

Murtagh now faces a mandatory life sentence.