Courts / Kildare / Report

Jury deliberating in unlawful killing trial

Date
2017-10-25

Stage
Trial

Primary locality
Naas

County
Kildare

Summary

A jury has begun deliberating in the trial of Paul Gill, a 37‑year‑old construction worker from Naas, who is accused of manslaughter in the death of Patrick "Patsy" Kelly on 22 August 2015. Gill denies killing Kelly but admits assaulting him and also pleading guilty to assaulting Kelly's friend Martin Curtis. The incident followed seven years of complaints about anti‑social behaviour, late‑night drinking and noise between the neighbours. Witnesses described Gill grabbing Kelly by the collar, dragging him seven metres, repeatedly punching him and kicking him. Medical evidence presented by State Pathologist Professor Marie Cassidy identified heart disease and high alcohol levels as the main cause of death, with injuries from the assault being contributory. Dr Mary Sheppard discussed the possibility of a fatal arrhythmia caused by stress.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Jury deliberating in unlawful killing trial. 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
2017-10-25 Publication

Why: She said that in order to convict Mr Gill of manslaughter, the jury must be satisfied beyond a reasonable doubt that the assault on Mr Kelly was one of the causes which contributed to his death. CNI source report