Courts / Dublin / Report
Defence tell arson manslaughter trial there is 'gaping chasm' in prosecution case
Summary
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court manslaughter trial, 34‑year‑old Dean Boland pleaded not guilty to the unlawful killing of Ohari Viera, arson, burglary and theft at Oaklands Terrace, Terenure, on 21 August 2018. Boland allegedly broke into Viera's house, stole a rucksack and set fire to the property. Viera re‑entered the house before emergency services arrived and later died of cardiac arrest in hospital. Defence counsel Garret Baker argued that the prosecution's case had a "massive gaping hole" because it could not show how Boland started the fire. He highlighted forensic evidence that the fire began in the bedroom of the ground‑floor apartment and that the window was opened during the blaze, implying the fire pre‑dated Boland's entry. Prosecutor Seamus Clarke maintained the case was based on circumstantial evidence, asserting that if the fire was the substantial cause of Viera's death, Boland would be guilty of manslaughter.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Defence tell arson manslaughter trial there is 'gaping chasm' in prosecution case. Charges or matters: the unlawful killing of Ohari Viera, damaging property by arson and burglary and theft at Oaklands Terrace, Terenure, Dublin, on August 21, 2018. Procedural stage: trial
When:
- August 21, 2018 Incident
- 2022-12-13 Publication
Why: "Any number of strands together because of their weight, number and structure" when woven together "they become impossible to break and together they can hold the prosecution case". Prosecution account reported by CNI
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: the unlawful killing of Ohari Viera, damaging property by arson and burglary and theft at Oaklands Terrace, Terenure, Dublin, on August 21, 2018 (Alleged Or Contested)
Plea: Not guilty
Places mentioned
Topics
Burglary Stage Trial Theft Violent Crime
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