Courts / Cork / Report

Addicts became embroiled in fatal argument over injecting heroin, murder trial hears

Summary

In a Central Criminal Court hearing, Peter Jackson (41) pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter for the death of David Hamilton (31) on 4 May 2012. Jackson and his girlfriend, Pamela McHale (26), had bought two bags of heroin and met Hamilton at a house on Kerryhall Road, Fairhill. After Jackson injected himself and McHale, he struggled to find a vein for Hamilton, sparking an argument. Jackson then seized a knife from the table and stabbed Hamilton in the chest. McHale later called an ambulance under a false name and did not disclose the incident to police until the next day. Hamilton died three days later. The trial continues before a jury and Justice Isobel Kennedy.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Addicts became embroiled in fatal argument over injecting heroin, murder trial hears. Charges or matters: murder; manslaughter. Procedural stage: trial

When:

• May 4, 2012 Hearing Or Sentence
• May 7 Incident
• 2015-11-05 Publication

Why: They bought two bags worth €50 each and then met Mr Hamilton, who she said was "strung out" because it was difficult to find heroin that day. CNI source report

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Drugs Stage Trial Violent Crime

Related court reports

• Mentally ill man who put fellow psychiatric patient in chokehold to be immediately released into care of UK parents
• 'Alternative dispute resolution': man arranged 'straightener' during which dad-of-seven was stabbed to death
• Brothers who sexually assaulted teenage girls in mid-nineties can now be identified for first time
• ESB worker too late to pursue claim seeking €42k in alleged unpaid overtime
• 'No hand, act or part': Osgur Breatnach's wrongful conviction for Sallins train robbery declared a miscarriage of justice
• Migrant engineer who worked 10-hour days for under minimum wage wins €14k

Read the original CNI report