Courts / Wicklow / Report

Deceased "wanted to fight everyone", witness tells murder trial

Summary

During a murder trial, witness Cian Wood testified that the deceased, John O'Brien, was aggressive and wanted to fight everyone he encountered that night. Wood, who was drinking with two Wicklow men at Superquinn, described how O'Brien, who was intoxicated, threw a punch at Wood and later punched him in the face. Wood said O'Brien threatened to "slice up" people and that he felt intimidated. He also recounted that O'Brien had been shouting at Thomas O'Connor, the accused, and that O'Brien ran at O'Connor, who then pinned him down. Wood agreed that O'Brien's aggression could have escalated the situation. The court heard additional testimony from O'Connor's partner and O'Brien's family, but the focus remained on O'Brien's hostile conduct that night.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Deceased "wanted to fight everyone", witness tells murder trial. 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
• 2017-02-24 Publication

Why: He agreed that he hadn't defended himself because he was afraid of the deceased. CNI source report

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Trial Violent Crime

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Read the original CNI report