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Dublin criminal serving sentence for meat cleaver attack found not guilty of Roma teen murder

Date
2014-08-02
Stage
Sentence
Primary locality
Dublin
County
Dublin

Summary

A 35‑year‑old Dublin criminal, Alan Wilson, was found not guilty of murdering 18‑year‑old Roma teenager Marioara Rostas, who died of four gunshot wounds to the head in January 2008. The trial, held at the Central Criminal Court, lasted five weeks. Wilson, who had been serving a seven‑year sentence for a meat cleaver attack, was accused of killing Rostas at Brabazon Street, The Coombe, Dublin. Witnesses included Rostas' brother Dumitru, who saw her with a man in a car, and Fergus O'Hanlon, who later became a state witness. O'Hanlon testified that Wilson had brought him to a site where a dead girl was found, and that they buried her at Kippure. The jury deliberated 2 h 53 min and returned a unanimous not‑guilty verdict. Wilson showed no reaction and returned to prison to finish his sentence. The victim's family left with support staff. No one was convicted of the murder.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Dublin criminal serving sentence for meat cleaver attack found not guilty of Roma teen murder. Charges or matters: murdering Ms Rostas at Brabazon Street, The Coombe, Dublin between January 7 and January 8, 2008. Procedural stage: sentence. Findings: Acquitted

When:

Why: He said he had refused to participate in a formal ID parade because he always refused such requests. CNI source report

Case subjects

Unnamed 35-year-old

Defendant

Charges: murdering Ms Rostas at Brabazon Street, The Coombe, Dublin between January 7 and January 8, 2008 (Alleged Or Contested)

Plea: Not guilty

Finding: Acquitted

Outcome: Acquitted; Wilson showed no reaction to the verdict before returning to prison to finish serving a seven-year sentence for a meat cleaver attack.

Places mentioned

Secondary Mention
Residence
  • New Street Gardens
  • Dublin
  • Lombard Street
Address Area
  • Brabazon Street
  • Pearse Street
Court Venue
  • Central Criminal Court

Topics

Stage Sentence Violent Crime

Related court reports

Read the original CNI report

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