Courts / Dublin / Report

Dale Creighton subject of "vicious, prolonged" attack before being thrown "like a rag doll", jury hears

Date
2016-10-11

Stage
Trial

Primary locality
Tallaght

County
Dublin

Summary

The trial of seven Dubliners charged with the murder of 20-year-old Dale Creighton is ongoing at the Central Criminal Court. All defendants, including Aisling Burke, David Burke, Graham Palmer, Ross Callery, James Reid, Jason Beresford, and Gerard Stevens, have pleaded not guilty to murder and violent disorder. Prosecution counsel Seán Gillane SC alleged the group acted together to inflict serious injury or death during a 'vicious, prolonged' attack on New Year's Day 2014. Evidence presented includes CCTV footage and testimony from witness Síle McCarthy, who described seeing six or seven individuals surround, kick, and punch Creighton on the footbridge over the Tallaght bypass. The prosecution stated Creighton was thrown 'like a rag doll' down steps before being returned to the bridge, suffering blunt force injuries to the head and face that caused his death on January 2, 2014. The matter is currently at the trial stage before Ms Justice Deirdre Murphy and a jury; it has not been finalised and is expected to last approximately six weeks.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Dale Creighton subject of "vicious, prolonged" attack before being thrown "like a rag doll", jury hears. Charges or matters: murder; violent disorder at the footbridge that New Year's Day; violent disorder. Procedural stage: trial

When:

January 2nd 2014 Incident
January 2nd Other
New Year's Day Incident
2016-10-11 Publication

Why: "You'll be satisfied that sustained attack, in its entirety, occurred while Mr Creighton was on the ground, not only not defending himself, but defenceless and, at one point, off the ground because he was being held up while the subject of blows and kicks," he continued. Defence account reported by CNI