Courts / Louth / Report
Aaron Connolly guilty of murdering teenager Cameron Reilly
Summary
Aaron Connolly, 23, of Willistown, Drumcar, was found guilty by a unanimous jury at the Central Criminal Court of the murder of Cameron Reilly, 18, at Shamrock Hill, Dunleer, on May 26, 2018. Connolly had pleaded not guilty to the charge. The jury, comprising seven women and five men, reached their verdict after 10 hours and 39 minutes of deliberation. Mr Justice Tony Hunt thanked the jury and exempted them from jury duty for 15 years. The court heard that Mr Reilly's cause of death was asphyxia due to external pressure on the neck. Defence counsel Michael Bowman SC made a formal admission that sexual contact occurred between the two men, with Connolly performing oral sex on Reilly, and that Reilly was alive when Connolly left. Prosecution counsel Dean Kelly SC argued that Connolly's inconsistent statements and DNA evidence linked him to the crime. Mr Justice Hunt remanded Connolly on continuing bail with strict conditions until December 20, when he will be sentenced to the mandatory term of life imprisonment.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Aaron Connolly guilty of murdering teenager Cameron Reilly. Charges or matters: the murder of Mr Reilly (18) at Shamrock Hill, Dunleer on May 26, 2018. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- May 2018 Hearing Or Sentence
- May 26, 2018 Hearing Or Sentence
- May 25, 2018 Hearing Or Sentence
- Tuesday, December 20 Adjournment
- 2022-12-15 Publication
Why: Asked by Mr Kelly if they kissed, Mr Conway said no, "because he [Aaron Connolly] didn't like kissing". CNI source report
Case subjects
Convicted Person
Charges: the murder of Mr Reilly (18) at Shamrock Hill, Dunleer on May 26, 2018 (Alleged Or Contested)
Plea: Not guilty
Outcome: Mr Justice Hunt remanded Connolly on continuing bail with strict conditions until next Tuesday, December 20 when he will sentence him to the mandatory term of life imprisonment.; Mr Justice Hunt remanded Connolly on continuing bail with strict conditions until next Tuesday, December 20 when he will sentence him to the mandatory term of life imprisonment.
Places mentioned
- The Central Criminal Court
- based at Drogheda Garda Station
- Drogheda
Topics
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