Courts / Cork / Report
Murder conviction for throwing homeless man down rubbish chute is quashed again
Summary
The Court of Appeal has quashed the murder conviction of David O'Loughlin for the second time, substituting it with a manslaughter verdict. O'Loughlin, 33, was originally convicted of murdering Liam Manley on May 12, 2013, following a retrial at the Central Criminal Court in January 2019. The three-judge panel, led by Ms Justice Isobel Kennedy, found that the prosecution failed to prove beyond reasonable doubt that O'Loughlin intended to kill or cause serious injury to Mr Manley. The court determined there was no evidence to support the intent required for a murder conviction, describing the case as finely balanced. Consequently, the appeal was allowed, and the murder verdict was replaced with manslaughter. O'Loughlin had previously been sentenced to the mandatory term of life imprisonment for murder. Following this decision, he will appear before the Central Criminal Court on Friday to set a date for a new sentencing hearing, where a judge will impose an appropriate sentence for the substituted manslaughter conviction. O'Loughlin's counsel, Mr Michael O'Higgins SC, stated that his client wishes to sincerely apologise for the death of Mr Manley and thanked the court for its careful consideration.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Murder conviction for throwing homeless man down rubbish chute is quashed again. Charges or matters: murdering Mr Manley on May 12, 2013 following a retrial at the Central Criminal Court in January 2019. Procedural stage: appeal. Findings: Convicted
When:
- May 12, 2013 Hearing Or Sentence
- January 2019 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2021-03-23 Publication
Case subjects
Appellant
Charges: murdering Mr Manley on May 12, 2013 following a retrial at the Central Criminal Court in January 2019 (Proven)
Finding: Convicted
Outcome: Convicted; Having been convicted of murder, he was sentenced to the mandatory term of life imprisonment but a judge of the Central Criminal Court will be able to impose whatever sentence they deem appropriate.
Places mentioned
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