AN Irish man charged with killing his girlfriend in her New York apartment is expected to plead not guilty when the case comes to trial. Gary McGurk (23), who holds dual Irish and US citizenship, is accused of murdering Michelle Lee (24) at her home. Lee's body was discovered tied to her bed. She had been a criminologist with the NYPD. McGurk is accused of striking her on the head with a blunt instrument and stabbing her in the neck.

However, his attorney Joseph Corozzo insisted his client was innocent and would contest the charge, saying: "I am very confident of my client's innocence."