Closing speeches heard in Alan Cawley double murder trial

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

Alan Cawley pleaded not guilty to murdering Thomas Blaine and John (Jack) Blaine. He admitted killing the brothers at New Antrim Street, Castlebar, on 10 July 2013.

Closing speeches were heard at the Central Criminal Court in his trial. The proceedings were reported on 21 July 2017.

Prosecutor Denis Vaughan Buckley SC said the issue was whether the deaths amounted to murder or manslaughter by reason of diminished responsibility. He asked the jury to find Cawley guilty of both murders. Defence counsel Caroline Biggs SC asked for a manslaughter verdict on the grounds of diminished responsibility.

Mr Justice Paul Coffey said he would charge the jury on the following Monday, when deliberations were also expected to begin.