Courts / Kilkenny / Report
Murderer apologises and tells Peter Donnelly's family he cannot be forgiven
Summary
In a court hearing on 3 December 2021, Damien Singleton, aged 31 and without a fixed abode, addressed the family of Peter Donnelly, who was murdered on 11 June 2019. Singleton apologized, saying he could not ask for forgiveness because he could never forgive himself, and expressed regret for subjecting the family to the trial. He acknowledged that he had pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter, and that he had been found guilty of murder by an 11‑member jury after CCTV footage and a threatening voicemail were presented. The trial focused on whether Singleton, intoxicated with drugs and alcohol, had formed the intent to kill. The jury rejected the defence's claim of incapacity, resulting in a mandatory life sentence. The hearing also included victim impact statements from Donnelly's mother, aunt, and a child's mother, all expressing grief and the loss of a loved one.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Murderer apologises and tells Peter Donnelly's family he cannot be forgiven. Charges or matters: murder but guilty to the manslaughter of his friend Peter Donnelly (39), who was originally from Kilkenny, on O'Connell Street in Dublin on June 11, 2019; the manslaughter of father-of-one Mr Singleton. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- June 11, 2019 Incident
- June 10 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2021-12-03 Publication
Why: I wish with all my heart and soul for forgiveness but I cannot ask you for it because I can never forgive myself," Damien Singleton told the family of Peter Donnelly. CNI source report
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: murder but guilty to the manslaughter of his friend Peter Donnelly (39), who was originally from Kilkenny, on O'Connell Street in Dublin on June 11, 2019; the manslaughter of father-of-one Mr Singleton (Alleged Or Contested)
Plea: Not guilty
Outcome: Singleton, who abandoned prepared notes, directly addressed the Donnelly family and said in evidence that he was "about to receive a life sentence but it won't affect me any more than what I go through when I think about taking Peter's life". "I caused his life to be lost. Singleton said that "all the sorrys in the world" would not bring back Mr Donnelly and that his life sentence was "minuscule" compared to what the family were going through.
Background Person
Charges: murder but guilty to the manslaughter of his friend Peter Donnelly (39), who was originally from Kilkenny, on O'Connell Street in Dublin on June 11, 2019; the manslaughter of father-of-one Mr Singleton (Alleged Or Contested)
Plea: Not guilty
Outcome: Singleton, who abandoned prepared notes, directly addressed the Donnelly family and said in evidence that he was "about to receive a life sentence but it won't affect me any more than what I go through when I think about taking Peter's life". "I caused his life to be lost. Singleton said that "all the sorrys in the world" would not bring back Mr Donnelly and that his life sentence was "minuscule" compared to what the family were going through.
Places mentioned
- Central Criminal Court
- O'Connell Street
Topics
Drugs Stage Sentence Violent Crime
Related court reports
- Former Christian Brothers accused of breach of duty to be named in national newspaper
- High Court to consider publishing names of 340 former Christian Brothers
- Judge should have convicted drivers caught like 'fish in a barrel' in 'unjust speed zone'
- Disabled snooker player acquitted of assaulting Carlow gardaí
- Mayo jury returns insanity verdict in telecoms damage case
- Musician gets 16.5 years for repeatedly raping then-wife and her sister
If a fact, identity, locality or legal outcome needs review, email the newsroom with this report's details prefilled.
Email a correction request