Courts / Dublin / Report
18 knife wounds to deceased man, pathologist tells murder trial
Summary
During a Central Criminal Court murder trial, Chief State Pathologist Dr Linda Mulligan testified that the deceased, Noel Thomas Whelan, suffered 18 knife wounds to his head, neck and trunk, including a fatal neck wound that severed the carotid artery and a lung‑penetrating wound that collapsed the lung. She identified nine additional stab wounds and seven incised wounds that contributed to his death, concluding the cause was multiple stab wounds with no other factors. The accused, Mark Whelan, 48, pleaded not guilty to the murder. The trial noted that the victim and accused were not related but the victim was the partner of one of Mark Whelan's daughters. Dr Mulligan arrived at the scene at 21:41, found the body at the bottom of a narrow staircase, and observed bloodstains, finger prints and two blood‑stained knives in the kitchen. Toxicology revealed cocaine but no alcohol.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: 18 knife wounds to deceased man, pathologist tells murder trial. 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: trial
When:
- March 30, 2019 Other
- 2021-10-04 Publication
Why: In his opening speech in the case, Mr McGinn 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
Defendant
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)
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
Places mentioned
- Central Criminal Court
Topics
Drugs Stage Trial Violent Crime
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