Courts / Dublin / Report

Killer withdraws appeal after court warns case is not 'one-punch manslaughter'

Date
2021-07-13

Stage
Appeal

Primary locality
Dublin

County
Dublin

Summary

Jonathan Dargan, a 50‑year‑old martial arts instructor, withdrew his appeal after the Court of Appeal warned that his case was not a 'one‑punch manslaughter'. Dargan had been convicted of the manslaughter of Patrick Mullally, a 56‑year‑old man celebrating his retirement, after a drunken altercation on Harold's Cross Road in March 2016. Dargan struck Mullally with a punch that shattered his jaw and caused a fatal brain injury. He also assaulted Mullally's friend, Shane Cunningham, who was injured. Dargan denied unlawful killing and claimed self‑defence, admitting he had "lashing out" but asserting he was in control. The trial judge, Justice Pauline Codd, imposed a six‑year sentence, suspending the final six months, citing the impulsive nature of the assault. The Court of Appeal's warning that the case was not a simple one‑punch manslaughter led Dargan's counsel to withdraw the appeal. No objection was raised by the Director of Public Prosecutions.