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Prisoner 'lured' fellow inmate into cell for 'vicious' attack, prosecution tell murder jury

Summary

During a murder trial at the Central Criminal Court, the prosecution alleged that 40‑year‑old David Dunne lured fellow inmate Robert O'Connor into his cell at Mountjoy Prison and stamped on O'Connor's head, causing death by blunt force trauma. The prosecution presented CCTV evidence suggesting coordination with other prisoners and claimed the assault was "vicious and unprovoked." They also argued that O'Connor's brain suffered rotational force injuries. Dunne's defence contended the killing was unintentional, a reaction in the moment, and not premeditated. The defence urged the jury to disregard alleged conspiratorial signals and focus on the evidence. The judge was to charge the jury the following day. The case remains at the murder‑trial stage. David Dunne pleaded not guilty.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Prisoner 'lured' fellow inmate into cell for 'vicious' attack, prosecution tell murder jury. Charges or matters: the murder of Robert O'Connor on the 29th of July 2022 at Mountjoy Prison, North Circular Road, Dublin 7. Procedural stage: trial

When:

• July 2022 Other
• 2024-11-26 Publication

Why: Mr Grehan said that if his client is guilty of murder simply because he struck the deceased's head, then there are "an awful lot of attempted murderers" out there. CNI source report

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Trial Violent Crime

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Read the original CNI report