Courts / Kildare / Report
Two murder accused claim they were acting in self defence, State tells jury
Summary
In a Central Criminal Court case, two men, Sean Kavanagh (26) and Calvin Dunne (24), charged with the murder of Dylan McCarthy (29) in Monasterevin on 22 August 2022, claim they acted in self‑defence. The prosecution contends McCarthy died after receiving punches from Kavanagh and a kick to the head from Dunne while he was on the ground. McCarthy was taken to hospital the next day and pronounced dead. The State presented CCTV footage and testimony that Kavanagh and Dunne were present at the pub, that McCarthy was involved in a fight, and that Dunne delivered a "running kick" to McCarthy's exposed head. The jury heard that McCarthy suffered a subdural haemorrhage, and the prosecution must prove beyond reasonable doubt that the accused intended to kill or cause serious injury. The trial continues before Justice Caroline Biggs and a jury of ten men and two women. Sean Kavanagh pleaded not guilty. Calvin Dunne pleaded not guilty.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Two murder accused claim they were acting in self defence, State tells jury. Charges or matters: the murder of Mr McCarthy on or about August 22, 2022; violent disorder on August 21, 2022, at Dublin Road, Monasterevin, while Mr Kavanagh has pleaded not guilty to a charge of assault causing harm on Eamon McCarthy, the father of the deceased, on the same date and at the same location. Procedural stage: trial
When:
- August 22, 2022 Incident
- August 21, 2022 Incident
- 2025-01-16 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: the murder of Mr McCarthy on or about August 22, 2022; violent disorder on August 21, 2022, at Dublin Road, Monasterevin, while Mr Kavanagh has pleaded not guilty to a charge of assault causing harm on Eamon McCarthy, the father of the deceased, on the same date and at the same location (Alleged Or Contested)
Plea: Not guilty
Defendant
Charges: the murder of Mr McCarthy on or about August 22, 2022; violent disorder on August 21, 2022, at Dublin Road, Monasterevin, while Mr Kavanagh has pleaded not guilty to a charge of assault causing harm on Eamon McCarthy, the father of the deceased, on the same date and at the same location (Alleged Or Contested)
Plea: Not guilty
Places mentioned
- Central Criminal Court
- Monasterevin
- Dublin
- Dublin Road
- St Mary's Lane
- Church Avenue
- Abbey View
- of Newbridge Garda Station
- Newbridge
Topics
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