Courts / Clare / Report

Deliberations in pensioner murder trial suspended after juror falls ill

Summary

In a murder trial at the Central Criminal Court, the jury's deliberations were halted for the day after one juror fell ill. The 12 jurors had begun deliberating at midday, spending an hour and five minutes before being sent home. The foreman notified Judge Paul McDermott that a juror was unwell and requested the rest of the day be excused. The jury confirmed they would return tomorrow at 11 am. The case concerns Thomas Lorigan, 34, who is accused of murdering his 78‑year‑old uncle, John O'Neill, at St Brendan's Road, Lisdoonvarna, between 6 and 7 January 2022. Lorigan, known locally as 'Mossy', is the nephew of the deceased. Evidence presented includes blood‑stained boots recovered from a house in Gleann Bhreandain, a mixed DNA profile containing Lorigan's DNA, and CCTV footage allegedly showing Lorigan delivering kicks and stamping on O'Neill's head with steel‑capped boots. Thomas Lorigan pleaded not guilty.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Deliberations in pensioner murder trial suspended after juror falls ill. Charges or matters: murdering John O'Neill (78) at St Brendan's Road, Lisdoonvarna, Co Clare on a date unknown between January 6 and 7, 2022. Procedural stage: trial

When:

• January 6 Hearing Or Sentence
• 2024-01-30 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Trial Violent Crime

Related court reports

• 'Evil so close to home': family speak of 'whirlwind' of feelings as nephew gets life for stamping uncle (78) to death
• Judge addresses jury on post-trial 'fallout' and time out, in believed first for criminal trial
• Nephew who stamped uncle (78) to death guilty of murder
• 'Something Personal': how a nephew murdered his uncle
• Jury to continue deliberating in trial of man accused of murdering uncle
• Nephew murdered uncle (78) by stamping on his head, prosecution tell jury

Read the original CNI report