Courts / Cork / Report
Jury fails to reach verdict in trial of man accused of murdering Olivia Dunlea
Summary
The jury in the trial of Darren Murphy, who admitted killing his girlfriend Olivia Dunlea, could not reach a verdict on whether he was guilty of murder or manslaughter. After 7 hours and 13 minutes of deliberation, the five women and seven men were unable to overcome their disagreement. Murphy, 40, of Dan Desmond Villas in Passage West, pleaded not guilty to murder and guilty to manslaughter, but the plea was rejected. He has been on trial at the Central Criminal Court for the past two‑and‑a‑half weeks. Justice Patrick McCarthy thanked the jury and remanded Murphy until 26 June, when a new trial date may be set. The trial heard that Murphy and Dunlea had been in a relationship for about four months. In interviews with gardai, Murphy admitted stabbing her during an argument, saying he "lost it" and "snapped" after she told him to leave because another man was calling over. Darren Murphy was convicted. Olivia Dunlea was convicted.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Jury fails to reach verdict in trial of man accused of murdering Olivia Dunlea. Charges or matters: murdering Olivia Dunlea at her home in Pembroke Crescent on February 17, 2013; her manslaughter but his plea was rejected and he has been on trial at the Central Criminal Court for the past two-and-a-half weeks; her murder in 2014 and sentenced to life imprisonment but that verdict was quashed on appeal. Procedural stage: sentence. Findings: Convicted
When:
- February 17, 2013 Adjournment
- June 26 Adjournment
- 2017-06-02 Publication
Why: He told gardai that he "lost it" and "snapped" after she told him to get out of her house because another man was calling over. CNI source report
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: murdering Olivia Dunlea at her home in Pembroke Crescent on February 17, 2013; her manslaughter but his plea was rejected and he has been on trial at the Central Criminal Court for the past two-and-a-half weeks; her murder in 2014 and sentenced to life imprisonment but that verdict was quashed on appeal (Proven)
Plea: Not guilty
Finding: Convicted
Outcome: Convicted; Justice Patrick McCarthy thanked the jury for their service and remanded Mr Murphy until June 26 when a date for a new trial may be set.
Defendant
Charges: her manslaughter but his plea was rejected and he has been on trial at the Central Criminal Court for the past two-and-a-half weeks; her murder in 2014 and sentenced to life imprisonment but that verdict was quashed on appeal (Proven)
Plea: Guilty
Finding: Convicted
Outcome: Convicted; Justice Patrick McCarthy thanked the jury for their service and remanded Mr Murphy until June 26 when a date for a new trial may be set.
Places mentioned
- Cork
- Pembroke Crescent
- Central Criminal Court
Topics
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