Girlfriend of murder accused claims deceased punched her in the mouth
Olivia Kelleher
The girlfriend of a young man on trial for the murder of a postman has said that she was hit in the mouth by the now deceased man in an action she described as “most definitely purposeful.”
Alex Deady (21) of Glen View, Convent Road in Doneraile, Co Cork and two teenagers who cannot be named for legal reasons went on trial last Thursday charged with the murder of 44-year-old postman Barry Daly. The alleged offence occurred at Rockview Terrace in Doneraile on October 12th, 2025.
The Central Criminal Court sitting in Cork has heard evidence from Rachel O’Kelly.
O’Kelly said that she went to a match with her boyfriend, Alex Deady, on October 11th, 2025. She said that there was a “good atmosphere” at Eily’s Bar in Doneraile after the match.
“Everyone was in good form” as they were celebrating, as the local team had won a Junior B hurling title.
She recalled walking out of the pub at closing time. She said that there was “a bit of commotion” outside the pub.
O’Kelly said that she remembered seeing Barry Daly.
“His pupils were dilated. He hit me on the left side of my face. I didn’t react. I was more shocked.”
She said that she hadn’t done anything to provoke Daly.
O’Kelly said that shortly afterwards her brother Fionn was head-butted by another person.
Under cross-examination by Defence Barrister Tom Creed for Deady, she agreed with his description of what had occurred as being “almost like a concerted attack.”
She said that Barry Daly was “visibly angry” and there was “ten seconds of eye contact” before he struck her.
She said that her boyfriend, Alex Deady, did not see her being hit. However, he was “upset” when he was told she had been assaulted.
O’Kelly said that she was in “a lot of pain.” She said that afterwards she saw her boyfriend Alex walking up the street with “something in his hand” that “looked like a stick.”
She said that she saw Alex Deady again about 10 to 15 minutes later. She said that he was with the two teenagers and was “calm.”
She said he indicated that he was “fine” and when she asked him what had happened, he said that they would “talk about it in the morning.”
Meanwhile, Joan Sheehan, co-owner of the bar, gave evidence that she had gone out onto the street after closing time, having heard screaming.
Sheehan said that Rachel O’Kelly was shouting that she was “after being hit.”
She stated that she asked Barry Daly what had happened, and he had replied it was an “accident” and that he hadn’t meant to do it.
Another witness, Martin Hickey, said in evidence that he was in the area outside the pub on the night of the alleged offence, having gone there to pick up his grandson.
He had a short conversation with Barry Daly, who came over to the window of his car.
He said that Daly was in “good form” and planned to head home. He asked him if he was “alright for a lift.”
“He (Daly) said he was grand. He stepped back, and I saw the man no more.”
