Courts / Westmeath / Report
Accused admits to role in horrific attack on low level drug dealer
Summary
Shaun Groome, aged 32, pleaded guilty via video link to a 2015 attack on drug dealer Ciarán Murphy. He admitted to causing serious harm and to criminal damage by arson at Murphy's home in Coolcor, Offaly, between 6 and 7 September 2015. Groome's co‑accused, David Keena, 21, had been jailed for five years for assault causing serious harm and arson. Murphy, 29, was stabbed 16 times and set on fire after a false rumor that he was a Garda informant. He suffered 96 % burns from the neck down and multiple stab wounds, including to the heart cavity. The court heard Groome was arrested at Baldonnel Aerodrome; a warrant had been issued. Judge Martin Nolan remanded Groome in custody and scheduled a sentencing hearing for 21 December, when full facts will be considered.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Accused admits to role in horrific attack on low level drug dealer. Charges or matters: one count of causing serious harm to Mr Murphy at Coolcor, Rhode, Offaly between September 6 and September 7, 2015; one count of criminal damage by way of arson on the same date; assault causing serious harm and criminal damage by way of arson. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- September 2015 Incident
- September 6 Incident
- September 7, 2015 Incident
- December 21 Adjournment
- 2020-11-20 Publication
Case subjects
Convicted Person
Charges: assault causing serious harm and criminal damage by way of arson (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: David Keena, was last month jailed for five years for his role in the attack.; Judge Martin Nolan remanded Groome in continuing custody and set a sentence date of December 21, when full facts will be heard.
Convicted Person
Charges: one count of causing serious harm to Mr Murphy at Coolcor, Rhode, Offaly between September 6 and September 7, 2015; one count of criminal damage by way of arson on the same date; assault causing serious harm and criminal damage by way of arson (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Groome's co-accused, David Keena, was last month jailed for five years for his role in the attack. Judge Martin Nolan remanded Groome in continuing custody and set a sentence date of December 21, when full facts will be heard.; Judge Martin Nolan remanded Groome in continuing custody and set a sentence date of December 21, when full facts will be heard.
Places mentioned
Topics
Drugs Stage Sentence Violent Crime
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