Trial of man accused of Jasmine McMonagle murder to begin on Monday

The trial of a man for the murder of a young Donegal mother-of-two will begin on Monday.

Jasmine McMonagle (28) was found dead at her home at Forest Park, Killygordon in the early hours of January 4, 2019.

Richard Burke was charged with killing the model in an alleged incident in the home they shared.

Burke, a native of Donegal Town, was originally due to go on trial in July, 2021 at the Central Criminal Court in Dublin.

The trial was delayed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

A Central Criminal Court sitting in Monaghan will now hear the case.

The day after the young mum was found dead by members of An Garda Siochana's Armed Response Unit who entered her home, Burke was charged with her murder.

At a hearing at Sligo District Court, Detective Garda Sergeant Michael Galvin gave evidence of arresting Burke who, when charged, replied: “I understand everything.”

Last month, an inquest into Jasmine's death was put on hold until after the murder trial has concluded.

Sergeant Pauline O’Connor said an application for the adjournment was being made under Section 25 (2) of the Coroner’s Act.

When the inquest was opened previously, the court heard that the mother-of-two Ms McMonagle died from a lack of oxygen to the brain.

A post mortem found she died from cerebral anoxia, a lack of oxygen to the brain. The inquest will be reopened again in September.