Schoolgirl's killer claims conviction 'unsafe' due to old DNA technology

A DEFENCE witness in the case of a man appealing his conviction for the rape and murder of a schoolgirl yesterday said DNA analysis was “in its infancy” at the time of his trial.

- BY FIONA MAGENNIS

John McDonagh, 51, was 27 when he was convicted in 2001 of the rape and murder of Siobhan Hynes, 17, whose body was found at Tismeain beach, Keeraunbeg, Co Galway, in December 6, 1998.

Dr Louise McKenna, of the State Forensic Science Laboratory, found “numerous” fibres from McDonagh’s jumper which matched Ms Hynes's fleece jacket and wine acrylic jumper.

She also found fibres on the front and back of his jumper which matched fibres from her socks.

Fibres from the fleece and the wine jumper were also found in the front passenger seat of his car, and fibres from his red fluffy car-seat cover matched two red fibres found on Ms Hynes's clothes.