Courts / Kildare / Report

Jury given baseball bat used in killing

Summary

In a trial at the Central Criminal Court, Zoltan Almasi, 49, faced charges of murdering 20‑year‑old Joseph Dunne with a single blow from a baseball bat. Almasi pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter. The case centred on whether Almasi's use of the bat was provoked. Evidence showed Dunne had jostled Almasi's van, after which Almasi chased him with a bat. Dunne died when the bat struck the back of his head, fracturing his skull and driving bone into his brain. Almasi's counsel argued that the force used indicated loss of control, a partial defence of provocation. The prosecution contended that Dunne was retreating and posed no threat, and that Almasi struck him in anger. Judge Michael White instructed the jury to seek a unanimous verdict and to keep deliberations confidential.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Jury given baseball bat used in killing. Charges or matters: murdering Athy man Joseph Dunne, but guilty to his manslaughter at Harbour View on May 16 2014. Procedural stage: trial

When:

• May 16 2014 Hearing Or Sentence
• 2021-06-28 Publication

Why: Mr Justice White explained that the jury could not deliberate in the actual jury room because of the pandemic. CNI source report

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Trial Violent Crime

Related court reports

• 'Merciful approach': man who sexually assaulted girl (14) a year after defiling her won't face any extra jail time
• Court rejects grandfather's appeal for abusing grandson
• 'I'm going to kill you' - Carjacker held knife to elderly woman's throat
• Mum-of-eight who booked hotel stays with gunman husband during garda manhunt gets suspended sentence
• Nigerian 'Colonel and Major' get combined 16.5 years over 'worldwide, breathtaking' money laundering racket
• Addict jailed after being caught with €330k worth of cannabis following traffic stop

Read the original CNI report