Courts / Dublin / Report

Murder accused told gardai he did "everything" to keep former rugby club captain alive

Date
2015-10-09

Stage
Trial

Primary locality
Dublin

County
Dublin

Summary

In the trial of Gary Walsh, 32, accused of murdering former Dublin rugby club captain Cathal Sweeney, the jury heard that Walsh claimed he had done everything that night to keep Sweeney alive. Walsh pleaded not guilty to murder but had pleaded guilty to manslaughter, a plea the State did not accept. On February 9, 2014, Walsh gave a statement to Garda officers in which he said he had not intentionally harmed Sweeney and expressed remorse, stating that the incident would ruin his life. He also said he had wiped blood from Sweeney's face and put trousers on him before the ambulance took him to St James's Hospital. The court heard that Sweeney's glasses were left on his face. The trial continues.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Murder accused told gardai he did "everything" to keep former rugby club captain alive. Charges or matters: the murder of Cathal Sweeney at a house in Terenure on February 8 2014; the manslaughter of Mr Sweeney at the Central Criminal Court on Tuesday but this plea was not accepted by the State. Procedural stage: trial

When:

February 8 2014 Hearing Or Sentence
February 9 2014 Hearing Or Sentence
2015-10-09 Publication

Case subjects

Gary Walsh

Accused

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

Plea: Not guilty