Courts / Wicklow / Report

Witness tells murder trial he thought he saw "brain" matter

Summary

During a Wicklow murder trial, witness Paul Duffy testified that he saw a man, Thomas O'Connor, beating another man, John O'Brien, on the side of a road. Duffy, his wife and 11‑year‑old daughter were returning from a birthday party when they passed the scene. He described O'Connor standing over O'Brien, striking him about four times with a rock, and not seeing O'Brien move. Duffy claimed to have seen brain matter, describing a mixture of grey and blood. The Deputy State Pathologist later presented a 1,655‑gram rock as the likely weapon that shattered O'Brien's skull, causing catastrophic brain injury. Dr Michael Curtis, the post‑mortem examiner, confirmed O'Brien died from a severe head injury with a comminuted skull fracture and lacerated meninges. The trial continues before Justice Margaret Heneghan and a jury.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Witness tells murder trial he thought he saw "brain" matter. Charges or matters: murdering John O'Brien, who was from Burnaby Lawns in Greystones on 4th June 2010; murder, but guilty to the 22-year-old's manslaughter at Farrankelly Road, Delgany, Co Wicklow. Procedural stage: trial

When:

• 4th June 2010 Hearing Or Sentence
• 2017-02-23 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Trial Violent Crime

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Read the original CNI report