Courts / Kildare / Report

Council sought to bar deceased from home next to manslaughter accused, trial hears

Date
2017-10-24

Stage
Trial

Primary locality
Naas

County
Kildare

Summary

The trial of Paul Gill, 37, a Kildare man charged with manslaughter, heard that Kildare County Council sought to exclude the deceased, Patrick "Patsy" Kelly, from a neighbour's home due to repeated late‑night drinking and noise. Gill denies killing Kelly on 22 August 2015 but admits assaulting him and pleading guilty to assault causing harm to Kelly's friend, Martin Curtis, during the same incident. The court heard that the council had drafted an exclusion order after two warning letters to Curtis and complaints from Gill's wife, Laura, spanning 2008‑2015. The prosecution presented medical evidence that Kelly's death was caused by an enlarged heart and blood vessel narrowing, with acute alcohol intoxication and minor trauma as contributory causes. Witnesses described Gill grabbing Kelly, punching him, and kicking him, while the defence argued the assault was not the substantial cause of death. Judge Melanie Greally will charge the jury tomorrow.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Council sought to bar deceased from home next to manslaughter accused, trial hears. Charges or matters: assault causing harm to Mr Kelly's friend, Martin Curtis, during the same incident. Procedural stage: trial

When:

August 22, 2015 Incident
August 2015 Hearing Or Sentence
May 2013 Hearing Or Sentence
2017-10-24 Publication

Why: Today the court heard that Kildare Co Council had drafted an exclusion order, barring Mr Kelly from entering Mr Curtis' home because of repeated instances of late night drinking and noise. Court evidence reported by CNI