Courts / Dublin / Report

Murder accused told gardai he stabbed best friend in self defence during drug deal

Summary

Graham McEvoy, aged 19, pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter of his best friend Paul "Paulie" Curran, aged 23, after a drug deal at Seagull House on 16 July 2016. McEvoy told Garda Dermot English that he met Curran for a 14‑gram cocaine transaction. Curran allegedly pulled a knife and attacked McEvoy, who claimed Curran nearly stabbed him and struck him with a portable speaker. In the ensuing struggle McEvoy says he used Curran's jacket to wrest the knife from him and stabbed Curran a few times, with the knife entering below the armpit. McEvoy left the scene in his car, later bought a car, and planned to turn himself in the next day. He described the incident as self‑defence and expressed genuine distress over the death of his friend. The trial is ongoing at the Central Criminal Court.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Murder accused told gardai he stabbed best friend in self defence during drug deal. Charges or matters: murder but guilty to the manslaughter of Paul "Paulie" Curran (23) at Seagull House on Crumlin Road in Dublin on July 16, 2016. Procedural stage: trial

When:

• July 16, 2016 Hearing Or Sentence
• July 17, 2016 Hearing Or Sentence
• 2017-12-11 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Drugs Stage Trial Violent Crime

Related court reports

• 'I think we know I won't be getting bail' - Daniel Kinahan charged with directing criminal organisation
• Car thief who rammed gardai to be sentenced 23 years after offences
• Serial criminal set car ablaze after release from Melanie McCarthy-McNamara manslaughter sentence
• Veteran lorry driver has conviction for failing to remain at accident scene overturned
• Mountjoy inmate made 'graphic' threats to prison officers
• 'They're not OK, so you can stop saying that': Riad Bouchaker denied that he 'went for the smallest children' in alleged Parnell Square attack

Read the original CNI report