Courts / Dublin / Report

Murder accused told gardai he was acting in "self defence", trial hears

Date
2017-11-02

Stage
Trial

Primary locality
Dublin

County
Dublin

Summary

A 66‑year‑old Dublin man, Donal Colgan, was arrested on 19 August 2014 after a fatal stabbing outside Luigi's chip shop on North Strand Road. He pleaded guilty to manslaughter but not guilty to murder of 44‑year‑old David Sheridan. Colgan claimed he acted in self‑defence after two young men attacked him. Garda Sergeant Chris Cahill testified that Colgan told the police it was self‑defence. Detective Sergeant Mark Waters found Colgan's clothes and a knife at his home, both bearing the victim's blood, and noted that Colgan behaved normally the day after the incident. Teresa Marcela, a Luigi's employee, described a fight between Colgan and the victim, after which Colgan allegedly stabbed Sheridan with a large vegetable knife. Deputy State Pathologist Dr Michael Curtis confirmed multiple stab wounds, including a 20‑cm abdominal wound, and identified the knife as the likely weapon.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Murder accused told gardai he was acting in "self defence", trial hears. Charges or matters: manslaughter but not guilty to the murder of 44-year-old David Sheridan outside Luigi's chip shop on the North Strand Road, Dublin 1 on August 17/18, 2014. Procedural stage: trial

When:

August 17 Incident
August 19, 2014 Incident
August 18, 2014 Other
2017-11-02 Publication

Case subjects

Donal Colgan

Defendant

Charges: manslaughter but not guilty to the murder of 44-year-old David Sheridan outside Luigi's chip shop on the North Strand Road, Dublin 1 on August 17/18, 2014 (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty