Courts / Clare / Report

Colm Deely admits to manslaughter of Deirdre McCarthy

Summary

In a Central Criminal Court hearing on 16 January 2017, Colm Deely, aged 44, admitted to manslaughter in the death of Deirdre McCarthy, 43, whose body was found on Fanore Beach on 31 March 2011. Deely had originally pleaded not guilty to murder and was convicted in June 2013, receiving a life sentence. The conviction was quashed in December 2016 after the Court of Appeal discovered that the state pathologist Dr Khalid Jabbar's evidence had not been peer‑reviewed, a procedural flaw highlighted by Deely's defence lawyer Gearoid Geraghty. The court ordered a retrial, and Deely pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter. The plea was accepted by the State, sentencing was adjourned until 13 March, and Deely was remanded in custody until that date. The case underscores the impact of unreviewed forensic evidence on criminal proceedings.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Colm Deely admits to manslaughter of Deirdre McCarthy. Charges or matters: manslaughter. Procedural stage: appeal

When:

• March 28, 2011 Hearing Or Sentence
• March 31, 2011 Hearing Or Sentence
• March 13 Adjournment
• March 2016 Other
• May 2013 Other
• 14th November 2013 Hearing Or Sentence
• 2017-01-16 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Appeal Violent Crime

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Read the original CNI report