Courts / Dublin / Report
Murder trial jury examine knife blade
Summary
In the murder trial of 23‑year‑old David Brannock, the Central Criminal Court heard evidence linking a knife handle found outside the victim's home to a blade recovered from Brannock's house. Detective Garda Seamus O'Donnell presented the handle, a similar handle from a neighbouring house, and a seven‑inch blood‑stained blade with a spider‑web design. He also showed a blood‑stained drawer under Brannock's bed containing an ornamental box that matched the reconstructed knife, which was assembled from the recovered pieces and measured over 30 cm. Forensic scientist Dr Stephen Clifford extracted a DNA profile from the blade that matched Brannock and a partial profile that matched John O'Neill, the victim's brother‑in‑law. The trial, presided over by Mr Justice Carroll Moran, continues with a jury of five women and seven men. The case involves Brannock's charges of murder, serious harm to O'Neill, and assault causing harm to Jade Byrne, Anthony Byrne and Claire Byrne. David Brannock pleaded not guilty.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Murder trial jury examine knife blade. Charges or matters: murdering Jason Flannery, causing serious harm to his brother in law, John O'Neill, and assault causing harm to his (Mr Flannery's) daughter, Jade Byrne; son, Anthony Byrne, and their mother, Claire Byrne; all five offences in the early hours of September 13th, 2012 at St Joseph's Way, Poppintree, Ballymun. Procedural stage: trial
When:
- September 13th, 2012 Incident
- September 13th Hearing Or Sentence
- 2014-11-07 Publication
Case subjects
Accused
Charges: murdering Jason Flannery, causing serious harm to his brother in law, John O'Neill, and assault causing harm to his (Mr Flannery's) daughter, Jade Byrne; son, Anthony Byrne, and their mother, Claire Byrne; all five offences in the early hours of September 13th, 2012 at St Joseph's Way, Poppintree, Ballymun (Alleged Or Contested)
Plea: Not guilty
Places mentioned
- The Central Criminal Court
- St Joseph's Way
- Ballymun
- St Joseph's Way
Topics
Related court reports
- Man withdraws appeal after telling court it 'wouldn't make a difference'
- Teen with 30 convictions who stamped on assault victim's head is jailed
- Six years for on-bail offender who fractured homeless man's skull in 'cowardly' attack
- On-bail teen offender fractured homeless man's skull in unprovoked assault
- Detective tells court of 'deeply harrowing' experience of being strangled at halting site
- Violent 'monster' jailed for repeatedly kicking former partner in the head
If a fact, identity, locality or legal outcome needs review, email the newsroom with this report's details prefilled.
Email a correction request