Courts / Dublin / Report

Homeless man died of blunt force trauma to head before body was set alight, murder trial hears

Date
2015-05-06

Stage
Trial

Primary locality
Dublin

County
Dublin

Summary

In a 2015 trial at the Central Criminal Court, the State Pathologist, Professor Marie Cassidy, presented evidence that Gerard Donnelly, a homeless man found dead in a fire in Phoenix Park, died from blunt force trauma to the head. She described catastrophic injuries to his face and head, likely caused by multiple blows from a moderately heavy object, and noted that death would have resulted from brain injury and airway obstruction. Cassidy identified a lump hammer near Donnelly's head as a potential weapon and a pincers‑type tool that may have been used to amputate his little toe and cut his left thumb, injuries she believed were inflicted after death. Ciaran Moran, 29, was charged with Donnelly's murder, claiming the killing occurred on either 28 or 29 November 2013. The trial, presided over by Justice Margaret Heneghan, was set to last ten working days. Ciaran Moran pleaded not guilty.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Homeless man died of blunt force trauma to head before body was set alight, murder trial hears. Charges or matters: murdering Mr Donnelly, who was in his mid 30s; murdering him at an unknown time during November 28th or 29th, 2013. Procedural stage: trial

When:

November 28th Hearing Or Sentence
2015-05-06 Publication

Case subjects

Ciaran Moran

Accused

Charges: murdering Mr Donnelly, who was in his mid 30s; murdering him at an unknown time during November 28th or 29th, 2013 (Alleged Or Contested)

Plea: Not guilty