Courts / Waterford / Report

Deceased had eight previous convictions, murder trial hears

Date
2017-10-17

Stage
Sentence

Primary locality
Waterford

Summary

Juraci Da Silva, 36, is on trial at the Central Criminal Court for the death of James Banville, 28, who was stabbed in the heart on New Street in Waterford on October 8, 2016. Da Silva has pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter, a plea the State has not accepted. He also pleads not guilty to assaulting Conor Hogan and producing a knife. The trial heard that Banville had eight previous convictions, including a four-month jail sentence in March 2009 at New Ross District Court for threatening to kill under section 5 of the Non-fatal Offences Against the Person Act. Other convictions included assault, carrying an offensive weapon, and criminal damage. Defence counsel noted that Banville and Hogan allegedly assaulted and racially abused Da Silva before the incident. Detective Garda Darren Colfer testified that Da Silva was interviewed on October 9, 2016, where he denied stabbing anyone despite witness identification. The prosecution has finished calling evidence. Mr Justice Michael White is currently dealing with matters in the jury's absence and has asked them to return tomorrow morning. The matter is therefore adjourned.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Deceased had eight previous convictions, murder trial hears. Charges or matters: murder but guilty to the manslaughter of 28-year-old James Banville at New Street in Waterford on October 8, 2016; assaulting Conor Hogan causing him harm and to a charge of producing a knife on the same date and at the same place. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

October 2016 Incident
October 8, 2016 Hearing Or Sentence
March 2009 Incident
October 9 2016 Other
2017-10-17 Publication

Case subjects

Da Silva

Convicted Person

Charges: murder but guilty to the manslaughter of 28-year-old James Banville at New Street in Waterford on October 8, 2016; assaulting Conor Hogan causing him harm and to a charge of producing a knife on the same date and at the same place (Alleged Or Contested)

Plea: Not guilty

James Banville

Accused

Plea: Not guilty

Outcome: He said Mr Banville was jailed for four months in March 2009 at New Ross District Court for threatening to kill contrary to section 5 of the Non-fatal Offences Against the Person Act.