Cork: The trial of Regin Parithappara Raja (43), accused of murdering his estranged wife Deepa Dinamani (38), has commenced at the Central Criminal Court in Cork. Deepa was found dead in her home at Cardinal Court, Wilton, on July 14, 2023.
The couple had been experiencing marital discord and were living in separate bedrooms. Deepa had reportedly been pursuing a divorce, which prosecutors believe may have been the motive for the murder.
Trial Proceedings Underway
A jury of seven women and five men, presided over by Justice Siobhan Lankford, has begun hearing the case. Prosecutor Sean Gillane provided the jury with a summary of the evidence, outlining key details of the alleged crime. The trial, which is expected to last up to three weeks, will include testimonies from multiple witnesses.
Cause of Death: Fatal Neck Wound
Deepa was discovered in a pool of blood in her bedroom, having suffered a deep neck wound. A forensic pathologist determined that she died due to severe blood loss after her jugular vein was severed.
The post-mortem examination revealed that Deepa sustained a 14-centimetre-deep wound to the front of her neck.
Emergency services arrived at the scene around 10 PM, after receiving a 999 call. The murder weapon—a knife—was recovered at the scene, bearing Regin’s fingerprints. Evidence suggests that Regin had purchased the knife two days prior to the attack.
Deepa and Regin, both originally from Kerala, India, married in 2015. They had a son in 2018.
Deepa, a chartered accountant, was well-respected for her intelligence, generosity, and love for travel. She had previously worked in London and had been financially supporting her family in India.
In early 2023, Deepa relocated to Cork to work for a finance company. The family had also sublet a room in their home to a nurse, who is now a key witness in the case.
The Events of July 14, 2023
On the day of the murder:
- Regin arranged for a neighbour to pick up his son from summer camp, claiming he had a job interview. However, no such interview had been scheduled.
- By 7 PM, Regin became unreachable, prompting concern from his friend.
- The nurse renting a room in the house confirmed that no one was present at home at the time.
- Later that evening, the neighbour and his wife returned with the child. Upon arrival, they found Regin intoxicated.
- Shortly afterwards, Regin informed his friend that Deepa had been stabbed to death inside the house.
The trial is ongoing, with further witness testimonies expected in the coming days.
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