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Dublin man gets adjournment in 'breath-taking" application to withdraw guilty murder plea
Summary
Kenneth Cummins, 28, of Ringsend Park, Dublin, was granted an adjournment until next year to consider an application to withdraw his guilty plea for the murder of Thomas Horan, 63, at Cambridge Court, Ringsend, on 6 January 2014. Cummins had initially pleaded not guilty but changed his plea to guilty four weeks into his Central Criminal Court trial. His solicitor, Mr Giollaiosa O Lideadha SC, argued that Cummins was not fit to plead on 11 November, citing a psychiatrist's assessment that panic attacks at the time of the plea could have affected his capacity. The prosecution counsel, Mr Remy Farrell SC, described the application as "breath‑taking" and a mere "stroke" by Cummins. Mr Justice Tony Hunt, who had reservations about the application, acknowledged the solicitor's professional duty and scheduled the adjournment for 1 February next year, noting that the matter was not urgent. The case remains pending, with the adjournment allowing further examination of Cummins' fitness to plead.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Dublin man gets adjournment in 'breath-taking" application to withdraw guilty murder plea. Charges or matters: murdering Thomas Horan (63) at Cambridge Court, Ringsend on January 6, 2014 but four weeks into his Central Criminal Court trial he changed his plea to guilty. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- January 6, 2014 Hearing Or Sentence
- November 11 Hearing Or Sentence
- November 20 Adjournment
- December 7 Adjournment
- February 1 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2015-11-30 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: murdering Thomas Horan (63) at Cambridge Court, Ringsend on January 6, 2014 but four weeks into his Central Criminal Court trial he changed his plea to guilty (Alleged Or Contested)
Plea: Not guilty
Outcome: Mr Cummins' sister Sabrina Cummins was handed down a life sentence for the murder of Thomas Horan on November 20.
Places mentioned
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