Courts / Dublin / Report
Internet cafe manager kicked customer to death during "seven to 10 second" loss of control, sentence hearing told
Summary
In a Central Criminal Court hearing, 40‑year‑old Zhen Dong Zhao pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter for the death of 39‑year‑old Noel Fegan outside the e‑Times internet café in Dublin on 20 May 2011. Zhao, who had lived in Ireland since 2003, was originally convicted of murder and sentenced to life imprisonment in 2012, but that conviction was overturned by the Court of Appeal and a retrial was ordered. The court heard that a brief altercation over a 70‑cent phone call escalated into a physical fight lasting seven to ten seconds, during which Zhao repeatedly kicked Fegan, causing a subarachnoid haemorrhage that led to his death. CCTV footage showed the incident lasted three minutes and 36 seconds. Zhao had been in custody for two years and eight months before the hearing and had met all bail conditions.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Internet cafe manager kicked customer to death during "seven to 10 second" loss of control, sentence hearing told. Charges or matters: murder but guilty to the manslaughter of 39-year old Noel Fegan outside the e-Times internet café and call shop in Dublin city centre on May 20, 2011. Procedural stage: appeal
When:
- May 20, 2011 Hearing Or Sentence
- December 2012 Hearing Or Sentence
- December 5, 2012 Hearing Or Sentence
- May 21, 2011 Hearing Or Sentence
- September 2012 Hearing Or Sentence
- December 20 Adjournment
- 2016-12-09 Publication
Why: Ms Walley told the court that Zhao later admitted to gardai that he had been "angry" after Mr Fegan had argued over payment for the call and that he ran after him because he "wanted to teach them not to do this again", adding "I don't like these type of people". CNI source report
Case subjects
Convicted Person
Charges: murder but guilty to the manslaughter of 39-year old Noel Fegan outside the e-Times internet café and call shop in Dublin city centre on May 20, 2011 (Alleged Or Contested)
Plea: Not guilty
Outcome: Zhao, of Jervis Street, Dublin, was originally convicted of Mr Fegan's murder and sentenced to life imprisonment in December 2012. Mr Justice McCarthy remanded Zhao in custody until December 20, when he will be sentenced, saying that a further custodial period would be imposed in this case.; Mr Justice McCarthy remanded Zhao in custody until December 20, when he will be sentenced, saying that a further custodial period would be imposed in this case.
Places mentioned
- Central Criminal Court
- Court of Appeal
- Jervis Street
- Dublin
- Friday at Pearse Street Garda Station
- Pearse Street
- South William Street
- St James's Hospital
Topics
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