Courts / Dublin / Report

Murder accused told gardai he "blanked" and took a knife, trial hears

Date
2016-12-16

Stage
Trial

Primary locality
Dublin

County
Dublin

Summary

During a Central Criminal Court hearing, Terence 'Terry' Connors, aged 42, pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter in the death of Peter Conroy, 27, at Palmerstown Lodge B&B on 9 June 2015. The State did not accept the manslaughter plea. Connors also pleaded not guilty to assaulting Elaine Blunt on the same day. He testified that he had been at the B&B with his partner Brigid, had taken a small amount of cocaine and been drinking, and that men were "roaring and shouting" at his children. He claimed he "blanked" when he heard his boys and took a knife he had bought a week earlier, saying he did not intend to kill anyone and was sorry the incident occurred. CCTV footage was cited by both sides, with defence arguing it showed Connors only intervening after a glass was thrown at his children. The trial continues before a jury of twelve.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Murder accused told gardai he "blanked" and took a knife, trial hears. Charges or matters: murder but guilty to the manslaughter of Peter Conroy (27) at Palmerstown Lodge B&B, Kennelsfort Road Lower, Palmerstown, Dublin 20 on June 9, 2015; assaulting Elaine Blunt on the same date at the same location. Procedural stage: trial

When:

June 9, 2015 Other
June 9, 2014 Other
June 10 Incident
2016-12-16 Publication

Case subjects

Terry' Connors

Accused

Charges: murder but guilty to the manslaughter of Peter Conroy (27) at Palmerstown Lodge B&B, Kennelsfort Road Lower, Palmerstown, Dublin 20 on June 9, 2015; assaulting Elaine Blunt on the same date at the same location (Alleged Or Contested)

Plea: Not guilty