Courts / Louth / Report

Man who said he stabbed taxi driver in self defence is cleared of murder

Date
2018-10-11

Stage
Sentence

Primary locality
Dundalk

County
Louth

Summary

In the trial of Joseph Hillen, a 24‑year‑old from Forkhill, the jury found him not guilty of murder but guilty of manslaughter for the death of taxi driver Martin Mulligan, 53, at Carnmore, Dundalk, on 28 September 2015. Hillen admitted to stabbing Mulligan but claimed the driver had pulled a knife on him and that he acted in self‑defence after a confrontation over alleged illegal dumping. Forensic evidence, including blood on the road and DNA on a glove, placed Hillen at the scene. The jury, after five hours and 29 minutes of deliberation, reached a majority verdict of ten to two. Justice Eileen Creedon thanked the jury and scheduled a sentencing hearing for 3 December. The case highlighted conflicting statements about the knife in Mulligan's car and the nature of the wounds, with the pathologist noting the unusual lower‑body stabs that caused rapid death.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Man who said he stabbed taxi driver in self defence is cleared of murder. Charges or matters: the murder of Martin Mulligan (53) at Carnmore, Balriggan, Dundalk, Co Louth on September 28, 2015. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

September 28, 2015 Hearing Or Sentence
December 3 Hearing Or Sentence
2018-10-11 Publication

Why: Gardai launched an investigation and Hillen came under suspicion because he had been chased hours before Mr Mulligan's death from Dundalk by gardai. CNI source report