Courts / Dublin / Report

Trial of man accused of murdering former rugby captain opens

Date
2015-10-06

Stage
Trial

Primary locality
Dublin

County
Dublin

Summary

The Central Criminal Court opened the trial of Gary Walsh, 32, accused of murdering former Dublin rugby club captain Cathal Sweeney. Walsh pleaded not guilty to murder but later pleaded guilty to manslaughter, a plea the State did not accept. Prosecutor Patrick McCarthy presented the case as a murder involving intoxication and a fight at a flat in Terenure on 8 February 2014. Witnesses, including Colm Campbell, testified that Walsh assaulted Sweeney after a row over alcohol and an inheritance discussion. Sweeney was found unresponsive with facial trauma and active bleeding, was taken to St James's Hospital, and died at 18:32. The trial is expected to last about six days, with a possible fortnight set aside for the case. The proceedings continue.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Trial of man accused of murdering former rugby captain opens. Charges or matters: the murder of Cathal Sweeney at a house in Terenure on February 8, 2014; the manslaughter of Mr Sweeney, but this plea was not accepted by the State. Procedural stage: trial

When:

February 8, 2014 Incident
Friday February 7 Incident
February 8 Hearing Or Sentence
2015-10-06 Publication

Why: The events leading to the assault by Mr Walsh emerged because there had been talk about an inheritance," said counsel on behalf of the DPP. CNI source report

Case subjects

Gary Walsh

Defendant

Charges: the murder of Cathal Sweeney at a house in Terenure on February 8, 2014; the manslaughter of Mr Sweeney, but this plea was not accepted by the State (Alleged Or Contested)

Plea: Not guilty