A 50-year-old Kildare man who stabbed his ex-lover to death as she lay in bed has gone on trial for murder.
Michael McDonald of Barnhill, Castledermot in Co. Kildare denies the charge but does admit he is guilty of the manslaughter of 31-year-old Breda Cummins on May 13th 2010.
He is also accused of stabbing the hand of her new partner John Lawlor at Michael Dooley Terrace in Athy on the same date.
The prosecution alleges that Mr. McDonald armed himself with a knife, took a taxi to the house where his former partner was staying and stabbed her 6 times.
New romance
Their 5-year relationship had ended 6 weeks earlier and the mother-of-one had started a new romance with Mr. Lawlor.
He was in the house at the time and it is alleged the 50-year-old stabbed him in the hand before killing Breda Cummins.
The jury has heard he will give evidence that Breda suggested he go downstairs and clean the wound leaving no eye witnesses to the fatal attack.
The trial is due to last around 2 weeks.
