Courts / Dublin / Report

Murder accused granted bail despite garda objections

Date
2015-11-23

Stage
Trial

Primary locality
Dublin

County
Dublin

Summary

A 32‑year‑old man named Gary Walsh, charged with murdering former Dublin rugby club captain Cathal Sweeney (62) at a Terenure house on 8 February 2014, was granted bail despite objections from the State. Walsh pleaded not guilty to the murder but had previously pleaded guilty to manslaughter, a plea the State did not accept. A jury failed to reach a verdict after five hours and 27 minutes of deliberation, with at least ten jurors dissenting. Prosecution counsel Mr Patrick McCarthy SC presented eight bail conditions to the court, including residence at a specified address, daily reporting to Terenure Garda Station, submission of a mobile phone number, a midnight‑to‑7 a.m. curfew, prohibition on alcohol, surrender of his passport, and no contact with witnesses. Detective Sergeant Joe Molloy confirmed no concerns regarding the three sureties: €9,000 from Walsh's sister, €3,000 from his mother, and €3,000 from a cousin. Judge Patrick J.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Murder accused granted bail despite garda objections. Charges or matters: the murder of Cathal Sweeney (62) at a house in Terenure on February 8, 2014; the manslaughter of Mr Sweeney at the Central Criminal Court but this plea was not accepted by the State. Procedural stage: trial

When:

February 8, 2014 Hearing Or Sentence
April 2017 Other
2015-11-23 Publication

Case subjects

Gary Walsh

Defendant

Charges: the murder of Cathal Sweeney (62) at a house in Terenure on February 8, 2014; the manslaughter of Mr Sweeney at the Central Criminal Court but this plea was not accepted by the State (Alleged Or Contested)

Plea: Not guilty