Courts / Limerick / Report
Jury begins deliberating in trial of man accused of table leg murder
Summary
The Central Criminal Court jury has begun deliberations on the case of Arnis Labunskis, a 57‑year‑old Latvian, who is accused of murdering his 39‑year‑old flatmate, Dainius Burba, in Limerick on 21 or 22 April 2015. Labunskis, who lives on Wolfe Tone Street, claims he acted in self‑defence after Burba allegedly entered his darkened bedroom and began attacking him. He says he disarmed Burba and then struck him with a wooden table leg until Burba shouted "stop." Labunskis has pleaded not guilty to the murder charge. Justice Deirdre Murphy explained to the jury that they could reach three verdicts: guilty, not guilty, or not guilty of murder but guilty of manslaughter. She outlined the law of self‑defence, noting that a verdict of manslaughter would require that Labunskis believed he was using reasonable and necessary force, while a verdict of murder would result if he used unreasonable and unnecessary force.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Jury begins deliberating in trial of man accused of table leg murder. Charges or matters: murdering 39-year-old Dainius Burba in their house there on 21st or 22nd April, 2015; murdering the Lithuanian father of one, who was also his colleague. Procedural stage: trial
When:
- 22nd April Other
- 2017-02-16 Publication
Why: She explained that, for this verdict, the accused must have believed that he was using reasonable and necessary force. CNI source report
Case subjects
Accused
Charges: murdering 39-year-old Dainius Burba in their house there on 21st or 22nd April, 2015; murdering the Lithuanian father of one, who was also his colleague (Alleged Or Contested)
Places mentioned
- Central Criminal Court
- Wolfe Tone Street
- Limerick City
Topics
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