Courts / Dublin / Report

Manslaughter accused told gardai he feared for himself and child

Summary

During a manslaughter trial, 31‑year‑old Ronan Byrne pleaded not guilty to the unlawful killing of 57‑year‑old James Marren on 31 October 2013. Byrne claimed he feared for himself and his child after Marren, who had returned home drunk, shouted abuse, pushed him and threatened him. Byrne said he grabbed a baseball bat from the hallway, struck Marren a few times—once or twice to the head and once or twice to the legs—then fled the house, later returning to bring his child to her mother. He denied that he had used the bat in a full swing or that he had previously hit Marren with a bat. The court heard that Marren's leg was cast after the assault, a blood clot formed, travelled to his heart and proved fatal. The trial continues before Judge Patricia Ryan and a jury.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Manslaughter accused told gardai he feared for himself and child. Charges or matters: the unlawful killing of Mr Marren (57) at that address on October 31, 2013. Procedural stage: trial

When:

• October 31, 2013 Incident
• October 26, 2013 Incident
• October 26 Other
• 2021-09-29 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Trial Violent Crime

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Read the original CNI report