Courts / Dublin / Report

Daniel McAnaspie murderer gets date for appeal

Date
2021-07-19
Stage
Appeal
Primary locality
Blanchardstown
County
Dublin

Summary

In 2017, Richard Dekker (34) of Blanchardstown was convicted of murdering 17‑year‑old Daniel McAnaspie, a teenager who had been in HSE care. The murder took place at Tolka Valley Park on 26 February 2010, when Daniel was out socialising and drinking. Dekker pleaded innocence, but a jury found him guilty after a trial at the Central Criminal Court. The body was discovered two months later in a deep drain in Rathfeigh, County Meath, and a post‑mortem revealed a stabbing. Dekker had previously been acquitted in 2013 when a judge found insufficient evidence for a jury trial; the State later sought a retrial under the Criminal Justice Procedure Act 2010. At the Court of Appeal, counsel Eoghan Cole BL argued the appeal was "dispositive", meaning a successful appeal would preclude a retrial. The appeal hearing was set for 21 January 2022.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Daniel McAnaspie murderer gets date for appeal. Charges or matters: the murder of Dublin teenager Daniel McAnaspie over a decade ago is to appeal his conviction for the crime; the murder of Daniel McAnaspie – a 17-year-old youth who had been in the care of the HSE before his death – by a unanimous jury verdict following a trial at the Central Criminal Court in March 2017; manslaughter for his role in Daniel's death. Procedural stage: appeal. Findings: Found guilty

When:

Case subjects

Richard Dekker

Appellant

Charges: the murder of Dublin teenager Daniel McAnaspie over a decade ago is to appeal his conviction for the crime; the murder of Daniel McAnaspie – a 17-year-old youth who had been in the care of the HSE before his death – by a unanimous jury verdict following a trial at the Central Criminal Court in March 2017; manslaughter for his role in Daniel's death (Proven)

Finding: Found guilty

Outcome: Found guilty; In April 2017, another Blanchardstown man, Trevor Noone, was sentenced to 13 years prison after he pleaded guilty to manslaughter for his role in Daniel's death.

Places mentioned

Court Venue
  • Central Criminal Court
  • Supreme Court
  • Court of Appeal
Address Area
  • Tolka Valley Park
Secondary Mention

Topics

Stage Appeal Violent Crime

Related court reports

Read the original CNI report

Correction or retraction request

If a fact, identity, locality or legal outcome needs review, email the newsroom with this report's details prefilled.

Email a correction request