Breaking News: Man Pleads Guilty to Murdering Wife in Shocking Turn of Events

Gardaí have made a breakthrough in the case of Stephen Mooney, who was accused of stabbing his wife Anna Mooney to death at their home on Kilbarrack Road, Kilbarrack, Dublin 5. In a stunning revelation, it has been revealed that gardaí were able to hack into Mooney's phone using new software, which allowed them to access video and audio footage of the murder.

The Shocking Discovery

According to Senior Counsel Desmond Dockery, who represented the prosecution in court today, the gardaí seized Mooney's phone at the crime scene but were unable to access its contents due to a lack of password or PIN code. However, an update to the Cellebrite software used by gardaí allowed them to unlock the phone and gain access to the evidence.

When the phone was unlocked, "it became immediately apparent that it contained highly relevant video and audio of the minutes leading up to the fatal incident and the fatal incident itself", said Dockery. This new evidence has significantly impacted the case, allowing for a change in Mooney's defense strategy.

The Aftermath

Following the discovery of the new evidence, Michael Bowman SC, who represented Mooney, had to engage with his client "immediately" to discuss the implications of this development. As a result, Mooney was arraigned before the court today on the original date of his trial.

Mooney replied "guilty" to the single charge that he murdered Anna Mooney at the family home in Kilbarrack on 15 June 2023. He now faces the mandatory life sentence for murder, but Justice Paul McDermott has adjourned sentencing to accommodate members of the victim's family who may wish to make statements to the court.

Mooney remains in custody and the matter will be mentioned on 18 June when a sentencing date will be set. The shocking discovery of video and audio footage of the murder has left many stunned, and the case is likely to continue to captivate the nation in the coming days.

The Victim's Family Reacts

The family of Anna Mooney, a Ukrainian mother of two, will now have the opportunity to express their grief and share their story with the court. The adjournment of sentencing allows for this emotional reaction to be included in the proceedings.