Courts / Dublin / Report

Retired garda tells of "horror" of finding naked, bloody body

Summary

During a murder trial, retired Garda Niall Jones recounted his horror upon discovering a naked, bloody body on North Street, Swords, at about 2.50 am. While searching for a taxi, he mistook a lifelike inflatable dummy for a person and, upon closer inspection, found the body of a man who had been beaten to death. Jones called 999 and attempted resuscitation, but paramedic William Howard found no pulse and declared the victim dead. The case is being heard at the Central Criminal Court, with the accused Anthony Walsh pleading not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter and theft.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Retired garda tells of "horror" of finding naked, bloody body. Charges or matters: the murder but guilty to the manslaughter of 54-year-old Dermot Byrne on July 16, 2017 at North St, Swords, Co Dublin; stealing a bank card, keys and a Zippo lighter from Mr Byrne on the same date and location. Procedural stage: trial

When:

• July 16, 2017 Hearing Or Sentence
• 2018-10-16 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Trial Theft Violent Crime

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Read the original CNI report