Northern Ireland

Prosecution and defence sum up in Kayden McGuinness manslaughter trial

Liam Whoriskey (25), is accused of the manslaughter of three-year-old Kayden McGuinness
Liam Whoriskey (25), is accused of the manslaughter of three-year-old Kayden McGuinness Liam Whoriskey (25), is accused of the manslaughter of three-year-old Kayden McGuinness

A JURY in the trial of a man accused of killing a three-year-old boy will not have to consider one charge of death by neglect and one of child cruelty.

Liam Whoriskey of Glenabbey Gardens, Derry denies the manslaughter of Kayden McGuinness in September 2017.

A judge told jurors he was removing one charge of causing death by neglect.

The jury was also instructed they would no longer have to consider one charge of child cruelty, related to a fracture of Kayden's rib.

The toddler was found dead in his bed in his family flat in the Bogside area of Derry. He had died from head injuries.

After 15 days of evidence at Derry Crown Court, both prosecution and defence lawyers yesterday gave their closing speeches.

Prosecution lawyer Peter Irvine QC told the jury there were "several indisputable facts" in the case including that the injuries were non accidental and were not visible to anyone prior to the child going to bed on the night he was being looked after by the defendant.

A defence lawyer however described Whoriskey as "an innocent man and the only people who can strip him of that innocence is you, the jury".

Defence said missing from the evidence was the time of the death, an absence which he said one medical expert described as crucial.

Trial judge Philip Babington meanwhile will charge the jury this morning before they retire to consider their verdict.