Courts / Limerick / Report

Wife tells trial murder accused said: 'what am I after doing to that boy'

Date
2020-09-03

Stage
Trial

Primary locality
Limerick

Summary

In the Central Criminal Court, Mark Crawford (43) faces a murder charge for stabbing Patrick 'Pa' O'Connor (24) to death at Fitzgerald's Bar, Limerick, on 7 July 2018. His wife, Karen Crawford, testified that the night after the incident he called her from the pub, asking her to pick him up. She described him as staggered, blood‑dripping, crying, and saying he needed to "get his head straight." She drove him to her sister's house, then to the Abbey Court Hotel, and finally to the garda station where he handed himself in. Karen also recounted that the next day he told her, "what am I after doing to that boy as he was my friend?" The prosecution alleged a dispute over €100 for cocaine, while the defence claimed self‑defence. The trial, presided over by Ms Justice Tara Burns, is expected to last two weeks. Mark Crawford pleaded not guilty.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Wife tells trial murder accused said: 'what am I after doing to that boy'. Charges or matters: murdering Patrick 'Pa' O'Connor (24) in Limerick city over two years ago; murdering Mr O'Connor at Fitzgerald's Bar, Sexton Street, in Limerick city between July 7 and July 8, 2018. Procedural stage: trial

When:

July 7 Incident
July 8, 2018 Other
2020-09-03 Publication

Case subjects

Mark Crawford

Accused

Charges: murdering Patrick 'Pa' O'Connor (24) in Limerick city over two years ago; murdering Mr O'Connor at Fitzgerald's Bar, Sexton Street, in Limerick city between July 7 and July 8, 2018 (Alleged Or Contested)

Plea: Not guilty