Courts / Dublin / Report

Jury convicts murder accused who was messaging women on Tinder just minutes before stabbing

Date
2024-11-13

Stage
Sentence

Primary locality
Swords

County
Dublin

Summary

A 22‑year‑old man, Brandon Gavin, was found guilty of murder by a jury at the Central Criminal Court after he stabbed his former friend, 19‑year‑old Marius Mamaliga, in the neck on 23 February 2023. The jury, after nearly five hours of deliberation, rejected Gavin's self‑defence claim, describing it as "self‑serving nonsense." Evidence showed Gavin entered Mamaliga's car, took a knife, and stabbed him within about 14 seconds. DNA on the knife matched Gavin, and blood from the victim was found on a penknife nearby. Witnesses testified that Gavin owed Mamaliga €2,500 for drugs and that the victim had sold drugs in the past. Gavin had also searched online for "prison sentence for murder in Ireland" and was active on Tinder minutes before the incident. The verdict was delivered on 13 November 2024, and Gavin remains remanded in custody awaiting sentencing. The unnamed 22-year-old pleaded not guilty.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Jury convicts murder accused who was messaging women on Tinder just minutes before stabbing. Charges or matters: the murder of 19-year-old Marius Mamaliga at Forest Court, Swords, on the evening of February 23, 2023. Procedural stage: sentence. Findings: Found guilty

When:

February 23, 2023 Hearing Or Sentence
February 23 Incident
February 26 Hearing Or Sentence
February 22, 2023 Incident
December 2 Adjournment
2024-11-13 Publication

Why: Garda Durnin said that the defendant told him he had stabbed Mr Mamaliga in self-defence because he was in fear for his life as he owed money for drugs. Defence account reported by CNI

Case subjects

Unnamed 22-year-old

Convicted Person

Charges: the murder of 19-year-old Marius Mamaliga at Forest Court, Swords, on the evening of February 23, 2023 (Proven)

Plea: Not guilty

Finding: Found guilty

Outcome: Found guilty; The jury, who also heard that on the day before the stabbing Brandon Gavin's phone had searched for "prison sentence for murder in Ireland", rejected the defence case that he had lashed out in fear and was not a murderer.; The matter was adjourned to December 2 next for victim impact statements and sentencing, with Gavin remanded in custody.