Courts / Dublin / Report

Murder accused 'felt guilty' about mother's death, grandmother tells trial

Date
2020-10-16

Stage
Trial

Primary locality
Tallaght

County
Dublin

Summary

In the Central Criminal Court, 20‑year‑old Philip Dunbar, accused of stabbing a homeless man 183 times, testified that he felt guilty for not staying with his mother on the night she died. His grandmother, Mary Dunbar, gave evidence that Philip had been caring for his ill mother and had planned to stay with her that night, but instead stayed with her grandmother. She described Philip's upbringing, his mother's drug problems, and his own mental health struggles, including suicidal thoughts and hearing voices. Mary Dunbar also recounted Philip's movements on the night of the alleged murder, noting that he had been with a youth who had been with him all night. She said Philip had taken responsibility at Tallaght Garda station but could not remember the incident. The trial continues before Justice Paul McDermott and a jury of eleven. The unnamed accused pleaded not guilty.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Murder accused 'felt guilty' about mother's death, grandmother tells trial. Charges or matters: the murder of 23-year-old Adam 'Floater' Muldoon in Butler Park, Jobstown Park, Tallaght on June 22 or 23, 2018. Procedural stage: trial

When:

June 22 Hearing Or Sentence
June 23 Other
2020-10-16 Publication

Why: A murder accused blamed himself for his mother's death when he was 15 because he was staying with his grandmother on the night she died, his trial has heard. CNI source report