A 41-year-old Waterford man accused of murdering his wife has told the Central Criminal Court he had no hand, act or part in the murder.
John O'Brien had been giving evidence in his defence at his trial.
He said the last time he saw his wife, Meg Walsh, was on 1 October 2006.
Her body was found in the River Suir on 15 October.
The defence opened its case this morning and the first witness was the accused. He told the court he was a bus driver and had married Ms Walsh in October 2005.
The last time he saw her was at 5.50pm on Sunday 1 October at their home in Waterford. He said he heard her around the house and then heard her starting up her car and driving off at around 8.30pm that night.
He denied that he was the man seen by an earlier witness near an estate called The Sycamores on 7 October.
Parts of the boot mat and the hardboard covering the spare tyre from Meg Walsh's car were later found in the same area.
Asked by his defence counsel, Patrick McCarthy, if he had had any hand, act or part in the murder of Ms Walsh, he said 'no, I didn't'.
Under cross-examination, the accused said a witness who claimed Mr O'Brien had told him that Ms Walsh was gone by the time he went back to his house at 5pm on Sunday 1 October 2006 was 'totally wrong'.
Mr O'Brien told the court he had not intentionally lied to gardaí.
He said he had omitted certain things, adding that he did not think things would come to this. He said he did not think there would be a murder investigation - he was expecting Meg to come home.
The court heard Mr O'Brien forgot to tell gardaí that he had gone into Waterford city centre and was walking near the spot where his wife's body was subsequently found on the day she went missing.
Asked about the fact that only two keys were ever issued for Ms Walsh's car and both were found in his house, Mr O'Brien said he was not sure if Meg had got a third key cut.
He also told the court he let gardaí search the house as he had nothing to hide.
He denied he had a motive to kill Ms Walsh and he said he did not murder her in the house or anywhere else.
The evidence in the case has concluded and closing speeches from prosecution and defence are expected to be heard tomorrow.
Mr Justice Barry White will then begin his charge to the jury. The seven men and five women are expected to begin considering their verdict on Thursday.
