Courts / Ireland / Report

Murder accused told gardai he shot his uncle "in the heat of the moment"

Summary

In a Central Criminal Court hearing, David Cully, aged 24, admitted shooting his uncle, Edward O'Connor, dead in what he described as the heat of the moment. Cully claimed that after a fist fight at a yard on Ballycoolin Road, O'Connor made a comment about a sexual‑abuse allegation against him, which provoked Cully. He said he had found a handgun two days earlier, was unsure if it worked, and fired at O'Connor when the uncle's remark "riled him up." Cully stated he had no intention to kill and that the act was unplanned. He apologized to O'Connor's family. The trial, set to continue before Mr Justice Carroll Moran, involves a jury of seven women and five men. The case remains at the manslaughter stage, with Cully pleading not guilty.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Murder accused told gardai he shot his uncle "in the heat of the moment". Charges or matters: murdering the 41-year-old at Ballycoolin Road, Finglas West on Sunday, December 15 2013. Procedural stage: trial

When:

• Sunday, December 15 2013 Incident
• 2015-06-25 Publication

Why: He said that he had tried to kick his brother's opponent during the fight because 'he was biting Darren like a dog'. CNI source report

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Trial Violent Crime

Read the original CNI report