Brandon Gavin found guilty of murdering Marius Mamaliga

This report is a localnews.ie summary based on public court reporting and records; sources are listed below.

Brandon Gavin was found guilty of murdering Marius Mamaliga at the Central Criminal Court on 13 November 2024; the fatal stabbing took place at Forest Court, Swords, on 23 February 2023.

The jury returned a unanimous verdict after deliberating for close to five hours. Gavin had pleaded not guilty, arguing that he stabbed Mamaliga in self-defence because he feared for his life over a drug debt.

The prosecution said Gavin got into the back of Mamaliga’s car and stabbed him in the neck. The jury heard that Gavin’s phone and two appointment cards bearing his name were found in the car, and that DNA matching him was on the handle of a penknife found nearby.

Mamaliga, 19, died in hospital on 26 February 2023 from complications of the neck wound. Gavin was remanded in custody, with the case adjourned to 2 December for victim impact statements and sentencing.