Courts / Dublin / Report

Death of 63-year-old man a "protracted torturing and killing of another human being", prosecution tells jury

Summary

In a 2015 trial, Kenneth Cummins (28) and Sabrina Cummins (37) pleaded not guilty to the murder of Thomas Horan (63) at Cambridge Court, Ringsend, on 6 January last year. Prosecution counsel Remy Farrell SC delivered a closing speech describing the case as a "protracted torturing and killing of another human being." He asserted that only the Cummins siblings were present when Horan was beaten to death in his small apartment, citing evidence such as CCTV, text messages, DNA and fingerprints. The prosecution highlighted Sabrina's admission in the witness box that she kicked and punched Horan between strangulation and suffocation, and argued that the absence of stab wounds and white spirits indicated an attempt to conceal the crime. Farrell warned the jury that the defense might invoke provocation, referencing a recorded prison phone call. The judge noted the trial would resume on Monday and hoped to conclude by the following Friday.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Death of 63-year-old man a "protracted torturing and killing of another human being", prosecution tells jury. Charges or matters: murdering Thomas Horan (63) at Cambridge Court, Ringsend on January 6th last year. Procedural stage: trial

When:

• January 6th Hearing Or Sentence
• 2015-11-06 Publication

Why: The barrister said Ms Cummins gave evidence saying she stayed with the corpse of Mr Horan because she is a "caring person". CNI source report

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Trial Violent Crime

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Read the original CNI report