Courts / Mayo / Report

Elderly brothers beaten to death in "vicious" assault in their own home, trial hears

Summary

A 30-year-old man from Ballina has gone on trial at the Central Criminal Court charged with the murder of two elderly brothers who died in a violent assault at their Castlebar home in July 2013. Alan Cawley has pleaded not guilty to murdering Thomas Blaine and John Blaine at New Antrim Street, Castlebar. The State's case, opened by Denis Vaughan Buckley SC, centres on whether the deaths constitute murder or manslaughter. The brothers were discovered by their home help, with one found in his bedroom and the other in a rear courtyard. The State Pathologist found both men sustained severe blunt force trauma, with Thomas Blaine suffering extensive head, chest and facial injuries, and Jack Blaine, who had speech and hearing impairments, also receiving a scalding injury. Defence counsel subsequently admitted on the accused's behalf that he caused both deaths. The trial before Mr Justice Paul Coffey continues next week.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Elderly brothers beaten to death in "vicious" assault in their own home, trial hears. Charges or matters: murdering both Thomas Blaine and John (Jack) Blaine on 10th July 2013 at New Antrim Street, Castlebar. Procedural stage: trial

When:

• 10th July 2013 Incident
• 2017-07-08 Publication

Why: She explained that injuries to his arms were typical of defence injuries. Defence account reported by CNI

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Trial Violent Crime

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Read the original CNI report