Courts / Wicklow / Report

"Overwhelming evidence" against murder accused, prosecution tell jury

Summary

In a murder trial at the Central Criminal Court, the prosecution presented what it described as "overwhelming evidence" that Thomas O'Connor, aged 29, killed John O'Brien, aged 22, by repeatedly striking him on the head with a rock on 4 June 2010. O'Connor, who pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter, admitted striking O'Brien with a rock and claimed the blows were part of a fight. The prosecution argued that the force used was excessive and that O'Connor's admissions, including that he had "gone too far," supported a murder conviction. Defence counsel noted a partial self‑defence claim and highlighted that no witness saw O'Brien moving after the attack. The trial was ongoing, with defence counsel scheduled to address the jury the following day.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: "Overwhelming evidence" against murder accused, prosecution tell jury. Charges or matters: murdering John O'Brien, who was from Burnaby Lawns in Greystones, on June 4, 2010; murder, but guilty to the 22-year-old's manslaughter at Farrankelly Road, Delgany, Co Wicklow. Procedural stage: trial

When:

• June 4, 2010 Hearing Or Sentence
• June 5, 2010 Incident
• 2017-03-06 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Trial Violent Crime

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Read the original CNI report