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Witness tells trial she saw attack by uncles of murder accused in months before killing

Summary

In a Dublin murder trial, 41‑year‑old David Cully, accused of killing his uncle Edward O'Connor, testified that he shot him in the heat of the moment after a sexual‑abuse allegation was investigated but not prosecuted. The trial also heard from Claire McKiernan, who claimed to have witnessed an attack by Cully's uncles with sewer rods about six months before the shooting. McKiernan said she lived across the road from Cully's aunt, Gráinne Brannigan, in summer 2013 and saw an argument in the garden involving Cully, his brother Niall, and Brannigan's husband Paul. She described a jeep arriving at speed, men with sewer rods approaching, and a brief confrontation lasting four to five minutes before the men fled. McKiernan had never reported the incident to Gardaí and said she did not want to get involved. The case is proceeding before Mr Justice Carroll Moran and a jury of twelve. The unnamed 41-year-old pleaded not guilty.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Witness tells trial she saw attack by uncles of murder accused in months before killing. Charges or matters: murdering his uncle, but guilty to his manslaughter at Ballycoolin Road, Finglas West on December 15th, 2013. Procedural stage: trial

When:

• December 15th, 2013 Other
• 2015-07-07 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Trial Violent Crime

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Read the original CNI report