Courts / Wicklow / Report

Murder accused never "set out to kill anyone", defence tell jury

Summary

In a 2017 trial in Greystones, Thomas O'Connor, aged 29, faced a murder charge for killing John O'Brien, aged 22, on 4 June 2010. O'Connor pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter. He admitted striking O'Brien on the head with a rock, an act that caused catastrophic blunt‑force injuries leading to death. Defence counsel Fergal Kavanagh argued that O'Connor acted in self‑defence, claiming O'Brien had first struck him and that a tussle ensued. The defence portrayed the incident as a tragic, drunken altercation, noting O'Brien's prior aggression toward others. The jury was instructed to consider the evidence beyond a reasonable doubt before deciding on a murder conviction. The case remained pending after a 56‑minute deliberation.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Murder accused never "set out to kill anyone", defence 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
• 2017-03-07 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Trial Violent Crime

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Read the original CNI report