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"Serious danger to society" jailed for seven years for killing man by knocking him under bus
Summary
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court case, Edward Connors, a 30‑year‑old deaf mute with no fixed abode, was sentenced to seven years' imprisonment for the unlawful killing of Eoghan Dudley, 28, who died after being knocked under a bus on Dawson Street on 6 December 2012. Connors had pleaded not guilty to the murder charge, but a jury found him guilty of manslaughter after an eight‑day trial. Judge Patrick McCartan described Connors as a serious danger to society, citing his history of aggression and violence, and noted his severe communication difficulties stemming from lifelong deafness. The judge also ordered Connors to be assessed for rehabilitation services in the UK, as no suitable services exist in Ireland for deaf offenders. Connors had previously pleaded guilty to two counts of threatening injury with a syringe, for which he received two concurrent two‑year sentences.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: "Serious danger to society" jailed for seven years for killing man by knocking him under bus. Charges or matters: unlawfully killing Eoghan Dudley (28) on December 6, 2012; two counts of using a syringe to cause injury or threaten to cause injury at Balally Shopping Centre, Sandyford on May 17, 2012 and at Lotts Lane on August 18, 2012. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- December 2012 Hearing Or Sentence
- December 6, 2012 Hearing Or Sentence
- May 17, 2012 Other
- August 18, 2012 Other
- 2015-02-23 Publication
Why: He said that because of serious communication difficulties between them and parents, teachers or peers, this group of people do not acquire the same skills taken for granted in hearing children and develop without any social, moral or legal boundaries. CNI source report
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: unlawfully killing Eoghan Dudley (28) on December 6, 2012; two counts of using a syringe to cause injury or threaten to cause injury at Balally Shopping Centre, Sandyford on May 17, 2012 and at Lotts Lane on August 18, 2012 (Alleged Or Contested)
Plea: Not guilty
Outcome: On handing down the sentence, Judge McCartan commented that Connors 'cannot but be described as a victim' in this case, as he was deaf since childhood and grew up in an environment where there was no opportunity for learning of any sort, leaving him with severe communication difficulties. Judge McCartan sentenced him to two years, to run concurrently, on each of these counts.
Places mentioned
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
- Dawson Street
- Lotts Lane
Topics
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