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WATCH: Graham Dwyer found guilty of Elaine O'Hara's murder

Graham Dwyer is on 'precautionary' suicide watch in Cloverhill prison tonight, following his...
Newstalk
Newstalk

15.41 27 Mar 2015


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WATCH: Graham Dwyer found guil...

WATCH: Graham Dwyer found guilty of Elaine O'Hara's murder

Newstalk
Newstalk

15.41 27 Mar 2015


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Graham Dwyer is on 'precautionary' suicide watch in Cloverhill prison tonight, following his conviction for the murder of Elaine O'Hara. 

Dwyer is facing life behind bars for the murder of childcare worker Elaine O'Hara.

It took the jury seven and a half hours to find the Foxrock architect guilty, after a nine week trial with some of the most graphic and disturbing evidence ever to come before a court.

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There was a hushed silence as the jury returned to court this afternoon.

Elaine O'Hara's father Frank held the hand of his partner Sheila Hawkins, while his two children in the bench beside him stared ahead nervously.

Read More: Family of Elaine O'Hara "relieved justice has been served"

When the guilty verdict was read out, Mr Justice Tony Hunt told the jury he agreed with their decision 110 per cent. He said in his view suicide was not there.

Graham Dwyer took a deep breath and slumped in his seat - he'll be given the mandatory life sentence for murder on April 20th when victim impact evidence will also be heard.

During the trial the architect was characterised by the prosecution as a man who preyed on vulnerable women like Elaine O'Hara who was released from a psychiatric hospital just hours before her death on August 22nd 2012.

He killed her to satisfy a deep seated sexual desire to stab a woman to death, his intent made clear in hundreds of disturbing text messages he sent to her, right up to her death at Killakee mountain in August 2012.

They had met in 2007 on fetish website alt.com. In a written statement issued this evening Elaine's father Frank O'Hara said he hoped this case would highlight the need for people to be careful when communicating using the internet and social media.

He also said they were relieved that justice had been served for Elaine but still suffered her loss and missed her greatly.

Graham Dwyer also issued a statement through his solicitor thanking his legal team, family and friends for 'continued, unwavering support' and the media for respecting the privacy of his family.

His estranged wife Gemma Dwyer has also asked for her family's privacy to be respected. In a statement issued on her behalf she offered her thoughts and condolences to the O’Hara family for the grief and pain they are suffering

WATCH: Key moments and locations in the Graham Dwyer trial

Shanganagh: Elaine O'Hara visited her mother's grave at Shanganagh Cemetery on 22 August 2012 the day of her disappearance. She returned that evening to the park beside the cemetery. A jogger was one of the last people to see her alive before 6pm.

Killakee: Elaine O'Hara's skeletal remains were found by a dog walker on 13 September 2013.

Vartry: Elaine O'Hara's keys, prescription glasses and clothing were recovered along with bondage items in September 2013 after anglers noticed metal glinting in the water. The Garda sub-aqua unit also recovered the unregistered 'master' and 'slave' Nokia phones from which text messages were later retrieved.

More on Dwyer verdict

LISTEN: Gardaí who caught Dwyer describe massive investigation

In-depth: Defending Graham Dwyer: How the architect directed his defence team to seek acquittal, and nothing less

WATCH: Interactive map and video of key moments and locations in Dwyer trial 

In-Depth: Francesca Comyn takes an in-depth look at a key week during the Graham Dwyer trial

Graham Dwyer Trial Interactive Map

Take a look through our interactive map of six key locations referenced in the trial:

  • Graham Dwyer’s workplace in Dublin city centre
  • Elaine O’Hara’s home, Belarmine Plaza 
  • Graham Dwyer’s home in Foxrock
  • Shanaganagh Park where Elaine O'Hara was last seen
  • Killakee where the childcare worker's skeletal remains were found 
  • Vartry Reservoir were a number of Ms O'Hara belongings were discovered

Click on the red markers for more information. (If you can't view this map, please go here.)


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