Palm print in victim's blood matches murder accused, jury told

A murder trial in Cork, Ireland, is hearing evidence that a bloody palm print discovered at the scene of a homicide matches that of the accused, Daniel Hourigan. Prosecution counsel Jane Hyland informed the jury that Michael Foley, 61, was found dead in a pool of blood in the kitchen of his Macroom home on February 6, 2024. Foley, who had been living in accommodation provided by the Housing First agency since 2022, was discovered by a psychiatric nurse conducting a welfare check. Gardaí observed significant injuries, including stab and slash wounds, and blood spatter. CCTV footage reviewed by investigators shows Foley returning home on January 31st, the last time he was seen alive. The jury will also see footage of Hourigan and an associate, Linda O’Flynn, near Foley’s house on the night of January 31st, 2023. O’Flynn was later seen leaving the property on February 1st, followed by Hourigan. Both were carrying bags, and Hourigan was seen with a black plastic bag containing a knife, which later tested positive for Foley’s blood. The pair traveled back to Cork by bus, leaving the bag containing the knife on board. The bag was later recovered from a bin in Kerry after the bus route. Hourigan has denied the murder of Michael Foley.

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It is the last time that Michael Foley is seen alive.