Courts / Dublin / Report

East Wall murder accused tells prosecution his life was at risk during attack

Date
2022-05-31

Stage
Trial

Primary locality
Dublin

County
Dublin

Summary

In the Central Criminal Court, 36‑year‑old George Gonzaga Bento, a Brazilian food‑delivery cyclist, denies acting as a "hard‑man" during the January 26, 2021 incident at East Wall Road that led to the death of 16‑year‑old Josh Dunne. He claims he used a knife to defend himself and his friend from a man on a moped who had stolen a bike and from a group of youths who attacked them. Bento says he intended only to intimidate the attackers and that his life was at risk, not that he sought to harm anyone. He acknowledges causing injuries that led to Dunne's death, as well as stabbing two other young men, but maintains he was acting in self‑defence. The trial, presided over by Mr Justice Paul Burns, continues tomorrow with 12 jurors.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: East Wall murder accused tells prosecution his life was at risk during attack. Charges or matters: murdering 16-year-old Josh Dunne at East Wall Road, East Wall on January 26, 2021; each of the four counts. Procedural stage: trial

When:

January 26, 2021 Incident
January 26 Incident
2022-05-31 Publication

Why: He later told Mr Guerin that he couldn't properly remember the amount of times he "hit with the knife" because there were many things going on at the time. CNI source report