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Bloodied murder accused went to station and said 'it's me that you want', trial hears
Summary
In a Central Criminal Court hearing, Mark Whelan, aged 48, pleaded not guilty to the murder of Noel Thomas Whelan, a man in his twenties who was the partner of Whelan's daughter. The trial began with evidence that Whelan was found at Castlecurragh Heath on 30 March 2019 with blood on his face and clothing, and that he had called a local Garda station where he was heard saying, "It's me that you want." Forensic testimony confirmed that Noel Whelan was stabbed multiple times and died at the scene, and that a bag of clothes seized from Whelan contained Noel's DNA and blood. Garda Dwayne O'Brien recounted that Whelan was arrested after appearing at the station with blood‑spattered clothing and a Lidl bag of clothes. During his detention, Whelan made a series of disordered statements, including claims of killing "the last of the seven saints," and expressed remorse to the Garda. The unnamed accused was found not guilty by reason of insanity.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Bloodied murder accused went to station and said 'it's me that you want', trial hears. Charges or matters: the murder of Noel Thomas Whelan, who was aged in his twenties, at an apartment at Castlecurragh Heath on March 30, 2019. Procedural stage: sentence. Findings: Not guilty by reason of insanity
When:
- March 30, 2019 Incident
- March 30 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2021-10-01 Publication
Why: In his opening speech in the case, Dominic McGinn SC, prosecuting, said the jury may be asked to consider returning verdicts of not guilty by reason of insanity or of diminished responsibility because of evidence that the accused suffers from a mental disorder. CNI source report
Case subjects
Accused
Charges: the murder of Noel Thomas Whelan, who was aged in his twenties, at an apartment at Castlecurragh Heath on March 30, 2019 (Alleged Or Contested)
Plea: Not guilty
Finding: Not guilty by reason of insanity
Outcome: Not guilty by reason of insanity; Sergeant Selina Proudfoot told Mr McGinn that as member-in-charge at the station, Mr Whelan was in her care and that she regularly checked in on him with food and water during his detention.
Places mentioned
- local garda station
- was working in Finglas Garda Station
- Central Criminal Court
Topics
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