Courts / Clare / Report
'Something Personal': how a nephew murdered his uncle
Summary
The 78‑year‑old widower John O'Neill, former owner of a Lisdoonvarna bed and breakfast, was found dead in his kitchen on 6 January 2024. Garda Louise Keogh and a colleague entered the house after a call about a suspected altercation the previous night. They discovered O'Neill's severely beaten body, with facial injuries, a pool of blood at the top of his head, a broken vase, a damaged laptop and scattered bank and social services cards. The scene suggested a "personal" killing. Witnesses identified Thomas Lorigan, 56, as the man who had stayed overnight at Lorigan's home the night before and who was later arrested for assault causing serious harm. Lorigan was detained at Ennis Garda Station after a DNA sample was taken. The case remains a murder investigation, with the prosecution presenting forensic evidence linking Lorigan to the assault and death of O'Neill. The trial has not yet concluded.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: 'Something Personal': how a nephew murdered his uncle. Procedural stage: trial
When:
- January 2022 Other
- January 5 Other
- January 6 Incident
- July 2021 Other
- October 2021 Other
- January 7 Incident
- November 3, 2021 Other
- December 8, 2021 Incident
- January 7, 2022 Other
- Christmas Other
- 2024-02-01 Publication
Why: 'Mossy' hadn't given Mr Burke a reason for the row. CNI source report
Places mentioned
- Mr Burke's house
- Geraldine's house
- Mr O'Neill house
- Mr O'Neill's house
- and detained at Ennis Garda Station
- Ennis
Topics
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
- Jury to continue deliberating in trial of man accused of murdering uncle
- Deliberations in pensioner murder trial suspended after juror falls ill
- Nephew murdered uncle (78) by stamping on his head, prosecution tell jury
If a fact, identity, locality or legal outcome needs review, email the newsroom with this report's details prefilled.
Email a correction request