Courts / Dublin / Report

"Very nearly the perfect murder": Dwyer to be imprisoned for life next month

Date
2015-03-27

Stage
Sentence

Primary locality
Dublin

County
Dublin

Summary

Architect Graham Dwyer, 42, was found guilty of murdering 36‑year‑old Elaine O'Hara in the Dublin Mountains. The Central Criminal Court trial lasted over two months, with the jury hearing testimony from nearly 200 witnesses and more than 300 exhibits, including videos of Dwyer stabbing women and text messages that described a BDSM‑style relationship in which he was the dominant "Master" and O'Hara the submissive "Slave." Evidence showed Dwyer lured O'Hara to the mountain on 22 August 2012, stabbed her for sexual gratification, and disposed of her belongings to make the death appear a suicide. The jury returned a unanimous guilty verdict after 7 hours and 33 minutes of deliberation. Mr Justice Tony Hunt remanded Dwyer in custody until the mandatory life sentence is imposed on 20 April. The unnamed 42-year-old pleaded not guilty.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: "Very nearly the perfect murder": Dwyer to be imprisoned for life next month. Charges or matters: murdering the 36-year-old childcare worker at Killakee, Rathfarnham. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

August 22nd 2012 Hearing Or Sentence
Wednesday, August 22nd 2012 Other
Friday 13th September Hearing Or Sentence
March 2011 Other
June 2011 Other
October 17th, 2013 Incident
November 2011 Other
April 20th Adjournment
2015-03-27 Publication

Case subjects

Unnamed 42-year-old

Accused

Charges: murdering the 36-year-old childcare worker at Killakee, Rathfarnham (Alleged Or Contested)

Plea: Not guilty

Outcome: (Photo: Collins) Architect Graham Dwyer will be sentenced to life in prison next month, after being found guilty of murdering Dubliner Elaine O'Hara by stabbing her for his sexual gratification in the Dublin Mountains. Mr Justice Hunt remanded Dwyer in custody until April 20th, when the mandatory life sentence will be imposed.; The prosecution asked for sentencing to be adjourned for preparation of a victim impact statement.