Courts / Dublin / Report
Jury asked to believe that man stabbed himself during row with girlfriend, prosecution say
Summary
In a murder trial at the Central Criminal Court, the prosecution argued that Norma Phillips, 46, could not have acted in self‑defence when she stabbed Romanian national Stefan Neanu, 36, at her former home on 12 April 2015. Prosecutor Denis Vaughan Buckley SC described Phillips' account as "not believable," citing repeated lies to emergency services and Gardaí, including claims that a balaclava‑wearing intruder had stabbed Neanu. He highlighted that Phillips delayed calling 999 for five to ten minutes, left the knife on a rubbish pile, and later told Gardaí she had pulled the knife out and thrown it away. Buckley urged the jury to use common sense and find Phillips guilty of murder. Defence counsel Sean Gillane SC countered that Neanu was awake and able to walk when the emergency crew arrived, that Phillips' statements were made after learning of Neanu's death, and that she had given a voluntary statement. Norma Phillips pleaded not guilty.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Jury asked to believe that man stabbed himself during row with girlfriend, prosecution say. Charges or matters: the murder of 36-year-old Romanian national Stefan Neanu at her former home in Phibsboro on April 12, 2015. Procedural stage: trial
When:
- April 12, 2015 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2017-01-20 Publication
Why: He said this was because the dispute was started by him, in the manner Ms Phillips described. CNI source report
Case subjects
Accused
Charges: the murder of 36-year-old Romanian national Stefan Neanu at her former home in Phibsboro on April 12, 2015 (Alleged Or Contested)
Plea: Not guilty
Places mentioned
- Central Criminal Court
- Phibsboro Road
- at Mountjoy Garda Station
- Mountjoy
Topics
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