Courts / Waterford / Report

Prisoner guilty of murdering fellow inmate after row over switching TV channels

Date
2016-10-26

Stage
Sentence

Primary locality
Waterford

Summary

A Central Criminal Court jury found Brian Veale, 31, guilty of murdering fellow inmate Graham Johnson, 41, at Cork Prison after a dispute over television channels. The trial heard that the argument began around 3 pm on 16 May 2015, ended briefly, but later that evening Veale entered the kitchen with a carving knife and stabbed Johnson in the chest. Witnesses, including Ming Feng Chen and prison officer Brian Forde, described the altercation and Veale's subsequent smile and remark that a life sentence would not matter. Pathologist Dr Marie Cassidy testified that Johnson died from a single stab wound that perforated the heart and aorta. DNA evidence linked Veale's clothing to Johnson's blood. The jury deliberated 1 hour 56 minutes and returned a unanimous verdict of murder. The case was adjourned for sentencing until 7 November, with Veale remanded in custody. Brian Veale pleaded not guilty.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Prisoner guilty of murdering fellow inmate after row over switching TV channels. Charges or matters: murdering Graham Johnson at Cork Prison, Rathmore Road in Cork City on May 16, 2015. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

May 16, 2015 Hearing Or Sentence
November 7 Adjournment
May 16 Hearing Or Sentence
May 2015 Hearing Or Sentence
2016-10-26 Publication

Case subjects

Brian Veale

Defendant

Charges: murdering Graham Johnson at Cork Prison, Rathmore Road in Cork City on May 16, 2015 (Alleged Or Contested)

Plea: Not guilty

Outcome: Brian Veale (31) stabbed Graham Johnson (41) through the heart with a carving knife and smiled as he told a witness: "If I get a life sentence it doesn't matter". Mr Feng Chen told the court that Mr Veale "approached" the deceased and "stabbed him with a knife in the heart area." "He (Brian Veale) then smiled at me, called my name and said: 'If I get a life sentence it doesn't matter'," said the witness.; She adjourned sentencing until November 7.