Courts / Wicklow / Report

Murder accused killed man with rock, trial hears

Summary

In a Central Criminal Court hearing, Thomas O'Connor, aged 29, pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter in the death of John O'Brien on 4 June 2010. Prosecutors presented evidence that O'Brien and O'Connor were drinking in an underground carpark of Superquinn in Greystones, then driving around with O'Brien's brother, Jimmy O'Brien. O'Brien struck two younger men and was restrained by Jimmy. O'Connor allegedly struck O'Brien on the head with a 1.6‑kg rock, which was heavily blood‑stained. The prosecution argued the rock caused a catastrophic head injury leading to O'Brien's death. Witnesses described O'Connor, wearing a grey hoody, standing over O'Brien and striking him repeatedly. O'Connor was arrested on 5 June 2010 and told Gardaí he did not intend to kill O'Brien. The trial continues before Ms Justice Carmel Stewart.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Murder accused killed man with rock, trial hears. Charges or matters: murder but guilty to manslaughter but this plea was not accepted by the State. Procedural stage: trial

When:

• June 4, 2010 Hearing Or Sentence
• June 5, 2010 Incident
• 2016-12-06 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Trial Violent Crime

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Read the original CNI report