Courts / Kerry / Report

Murder accused told garda he was 'peacemaker'

Date
2024-11-12

Stage
Trial

Primary locality
Tralee

County
Kerry

Summary

Patrick Murphy, aged 52 and without a fixed abode, was tried for the murder of Joseph Brosnan in Tralee on 22 May 2022. The prosecution, represented by Senior Counsel Patrick Gageby, argued that Murphy unlawfully killed Brosnan and that the intent to kill or cause serious injury was clear. The case centred on an evening in late afternoon when Murphy, who had been pushed out of Brosnan's apartment, returned and allegedly used a large kitchen knife to stab Brosnan twice – once in the hand and once in the back. The second wound penetrated the pericardial sac, causing fatal bleeding. Murphy had previously claimed to be a "peacemaker" and denied knowing who stabbed the deceased, but the prosecution contended he brought the knife to the scene. The trial was set to continue before Mr Justice Paul Burns and a jury of eight men and four women. Patrick Murphy pleaded not guilty.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Murder accused told garda he was 'peacemaker'. Charges or matters: murder, but guilty to the manslaughter of Mr Brosnan, at Abbey Court, Tralee, on May 22, 2022. Procedural stage: trial

When:

May 22, 2022 Incident
2024-11-12 Publication

Why: Mr Gageby said a second stab wound to Mr Brosnan's back was fatal because it penetrated the pericardial sac around the deceased's heart which caused massive bleeding and resulted in death occurring "fairly rapidly". CNI source report