Courts / Tipperary / Report
Reserved judgement in appeal brought by man who murdered his best friend while he slept
Summary
In 2009, John Paul Buck, aged 34, was sentenced to life imprisonment by Mr Justice George Birmingham after a Central Criminal Court jury found him guilty of fatally stabbing 30‑year‑old Fergus Roche in a vacant house on 1 October 2005. The jury also convicted Buck of arson, for which a concurrent five‑year sentence was imposed. The post‑mortem revealed Roche died from a single chest wound before the fire, indicating he was stabbed while asleep. Buck denied involvement, but Detective Garda Larry Bergin testified that Buck confessed to the murder in August 2006 during a patrol‑car interview, describing Roche as his "best friend". The appeal, presented by Mr Michael Delaney SC, argued that the confession was improperly admitted, that the search of Buck's home was inadmissible, and that media coverage of an alleged escape attempt by Buck's brother had prejudiced the jury. The Court of Criminal Appeal reserved judgement on the appeal.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Reserved judgement in appeal brought by man who murdered his best friend while he slept. Procedural stage: appeal
When:
- February 2009 Hearing Or Sentence
- October 1, 2005 Hearing Or Sentence
- August 2006 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2014-07-21 Publication
Why: He said Buck told him he had stabbed Mr Roche in the chest once while he was sleeping because he "grassed him up" but went on to describe him as his "best friend". CNI source report
Case subjects
Appellant
Outcome: He then set fire to the house and was also convicted of arson, for which a concurrent five-year sentence was imposed, after a two-week trial in the Central Criminal Court.
Convicted Person
Outcome: John Paul Buck (34), last of Heywood Close, Clonmel was jailed for life by Mr Justice George Birmingham having been found guilty by a Central Criminal Court jury of fatally stabbing 30-year-old Fergus Roche at a vacant house in their estate on October 1, 2005. He then set fire to the house and was also convicted of arson, for which a concurrent five-year sentence was imposed, after a two-week trial in the Central Criminal Court.
Places mentioned
Topics
Related court reports
- Careless truck driver who caused death of former Garryowen rugby player fails in sentence appeal
- Hospital apologises over 'shortfalls' in care for baby who died during birth
- First legal case referencing eczema as disability sees woman awarded €13k
- State will not oppose quashing of woman's conviction for sexually abusing her disabled children
- Gardai told Richard Satchwell his description of wife's death was 'physical impossibility', trial hears
- Butcher's claim he was sacked for union membership gets the chop
If a fact, identity, locality or legal outcome needs review, email the newsroom with this report's details prefilled.
Email a correction request