Courts / Kildare / Report

One of two pub melee murder accused found not guilty by direction of trial judge

Summary

Sean Kavanagh (26) was found not guilty of murder by direction of the trial judge, but remains in the case until the jury gives a verdict. He and co‑accused Calvin Dunne (24) pleaded not guilty to the murder of Dylan McCarthy (29) and to violent disorder on 21 August 2022. Kavanagh pleaded guilty to assault causing harm to Eamon McCarthy. He claimed he was defending himself after a fight spilled onto the street from the Bellyard pub, stating a large man in his 50s had attacked him and he responded to protect a friend. The prosecution argued that McCarthy died after punches and a "vicious kick" from Dunne, citing CCTV and a pathologist's report of a tear to the vertebral artery. The trial continues tomorrow.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: One of two pub melee murder accused found not guilty by direction of trial judge. Charges or matters: the murder of Mr McCarthy (29) on or about August 22, 2022; violent disorder on August 21, 2022, at Dublin Road, Monasterevin, while Kavanagh pleaded not guilty to a charge of assault causing harm on Eamon McCarthy on the same date and at the same location; the charge of assault causing harm on Eamon McCarthy. Procedural stage: finding. Findings: Acquitted

When:

• August 21, 2022 Incident
• August 22, 2022 Incident
• 2025-01-29 Publication

Why: Counsel said that the jury would have sympathy for the McCarthy family, who were out that night celebrating the birth of a child, but they would also have sympathy for Mr Dunne, because he did not go out looking for trouble. CNI source report

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Finding Violent Crime

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Read the original CNI report