Courts / Clare / Report

Jury to continue deliberating in trial of man accused of murdering uncle

Summary

The Central Criminal Court trial of Thomas Lorigan, aged 34 and a nephew of the deceased, continues with a jury of five men and seven women deliberating for a third day. Lorigan, who has no fixed abode, pleaded not guilty to the murder of his 78‑year‑old uncle, John O'Neill, who lived alone on St Brendan's Road, Lisdoonvarna, Co Clare. The prosecution presented evidence that Lorigan was seen on CCTV delivering kicks and stamping on O'Neill's head with steel‑capped boots, and that a pair of blood‑stained boots recovered from a house where Lorigan stayed the night before the body was found contained a mixed DNA profile including Lorigan's. Witness Walter Burke testified that Lorigan left the house on the night of 6 January, returned before midnight, and had a serious argument with his uncle.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Jury to continue deliberating in trial of man accused of murdering uncle. 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
• 2024-01-31 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Trial Violent Crime

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• 'Something Personal': how a nephew murdered his uncle
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Read the original CNI report