Courts / Wicklow / Report

Garda describes blood-smeared murder accused walking into station

Summary

In a Central Criminal Court murder trial, Darren Houlden (44) was described by Garda Patrick Phelan as arriving at Arklow Garda Station around 12.35 am on 6 May 2019, covered in blood and holding a 10.5 cm knife. Houlden told the officer that he had attacked Stephen "Apples" Kavanagh (37) over a dispute about missing drugs, admitting "It's my fault. I attacked him." He claimed to have smoked cocaine that morning and had a sip of beer. CCTV footage showed Houlden entering the public area with the knife, after which he was cautioned and taken away. Dr Michael Curtis testified that Kavanagh died from a multiplicity of about 40 stab and slash wounds to the head, neck and face, including severed jugular and thyroid vessels. The trial continued the next day before Ms Justice Carmel Stewart and a jury. The case remains ongoing. Darren Houlden pleaded not guilty.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Garda describes blood-smeared murder accused walking into station. Charges or matters: murder but guilty to the manslaughter of Mr Kavanagh at the same location. Procedural stage: trial

When:

• Sunday, May 5 Hearing Or Sentence
• Monday, May 6 Hearing Or Sentence
• May 6 Incident
• May 6, 2019 Hearing Or Sentence
• 2020-11-26 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Drugs Stage Trial Violent Crime

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Read the original CNI report