Courts / Dublin / Report

Murder trial jury ask for legal definition of provocation

Summary

In the Central Criminal Court, a jury heard the case of David Cully, 41, who shot his uncle, Edward O'Connor, dead. Cully pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter. He claimed he fired in the heat of the moment after O'Connor made a comment about a sexual‑abuse allegation that had been investigated but not prosecuted. The jury was told that Cully shot O'Connor in the back after a fight at a "straightener" event. Judge Carroll Moran explained that murder could be reduced to manslaughter if provocation existed. After about five hours of deliberation, the jury asked the judge to repeat the legal definition of provocation and to show part of a Garda interview with Cully. The jury then retired for the evening, to resume deliberations after the judge's response.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Murder trial jury ask for legal definition of provocation. Charges or matters: murdering his uncle, but guilty to his manslaughter at Ballycoolin Road, Finglas West on December 15, 2013. Procedural stage: trial

When:

• December 15, 2013 Other
• 2015-07-09 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Trial Violent Crime

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Read the original CNI report