Courts / Wicklow / Report

'One punch' manslaughter trial hears victim was on blood thinners

Summary

In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court trial, Vincent Kelly, aged 45, died from a catastrophic brain injury after being punched in the face by Paul O'Carroll, aged 46, outside the Royal Hotel in Bray on 9 June 2018. O'Carroll, who pleaded not guilty, claimed he struck Kelly only to remove him from a verbal altercation. Kelly was on blood‑thinning medication, including aspirin, following a transient ischemic attack two years earlier, which a pathologist said likely worsened his injuries. Post‑mortem findings showed a single blow to Kelly's left face causing him to fall and hit his head on the ground, with skull fracture, brain bleeding and bruising. CCTV footage corroborated the sequence of events. Kelly was taken to St Vincent's Hospital, then Beaumont, where he underwent surgery, suffered cardiac arrest, was revived, but died early on 10 June. Traces of cocaine were found in Kelly, suggesting recent use. The case remains before Judge Elma Sheahan and a jury.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: 'One punch' manslaughter trial hears victim was on blood thinners. Procedural stage: trial

When:

• June 9, 2018 Hearing Or Sentence
• June 10 Incident
• 2021-10-26 Publication

Why: "It makes bleeding and bruising more likely because the blood has been thinned. CNI source report

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Drugs Stage Trial Violent Crime

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Read the original CNI report