Courts / Meath / Report

Jury deliberating in Amanda Carroll murder trial

Date
2020-10-22

Stage
Trial

Primary locality
Navan

County
Meath

Summary

A jury of twelve, consisting of six men and six women, is deliberating a verdict in the trial of Sean Nolan, 36, who is accused of murdering his partner, Amanda Carroll, 33, by strangulation in her Dublin apartment on 21 October 2018. Nolan pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter. The judge, Mr Justice Michael MacGrath, instructed the jurors to focus on Nolan's statements about his actions and the role of intoxication, noting that voluntary intoxication may be a defence to murder. He warned that if doubt exists regarding Nolan's intent due to intoxication, the jury must acquit him of murder. The jury may return either a guilty verdict for murder or a not‑guilty‑of‑murder but guilty‑of‑manslaughter verdict. The trial is ongoing, and no final judgment has been reached.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Jury deliberating in Amanda Carroll murder trial. Charges or matters: murder but guilty to the manslaughter of Amanda Carroll (33) at Homestead Court, Quarry Road, Cabra, Dublin 7 on October 21, 2018. Procedural stage: trial

When:

October 21, 2018 Hearing Or Sentence
2020-10-22 Publication

Why: The judge told the jury panel that because murder is a crime of specific intent, then voluntary intoxication may be a defence to murder. Defence account reported by CNI

Case subjects

Amanda Carroll

Accused

Sean Nolan

Accused

Charges: murder but guilty to the manslaughter of Amanda Carroll (33) at Homestead Court, Quarry Road, Cabra, Dublin 7 on October 21, 2018 (Alleged Or Contested)

Plea: Not guilty