Courts / Kildare / Report

Jury to deliberate for third day in pub melee murder trial

Summary

The jury in the Central Criminal Court trial of Calvin Dunne, 24, has continued its deliberations for a third day. Dunne, of Monasterevin, Co Kildare, has pleaded not guilty to the murder of Dylan McCarthy, 29, on or about August 22, 2022, and to violent disorder on August 21, 2022, at Dublin Road, Monasterevin. The State alleges Dunne punched and kicked McCarthy in the head while he was on the ground. Dunne maintains he acted in self-defence, claiming he lightly kicked McCarthy in the chest. Eyewitness David O'Neill testified that he heard a loud thud and saw McCarthy's eyes roll back after being struck in the head, though he admitted being highly intoxicated and acknowledged it was possible Dunne hit the chest. Ms Justice Caroline Biggs directed the jury that they could find Dunne guilty of murder, guilty of manslaughter, or not guilty. In a separate matter, co-accused Sean Kavanagh, 26, pleaded guilty to assault causing harm on Eamon McCarthy, the deceased's father, at the same location and date. A charge of violent disorder was taken into consideration. Kavanagh had previously denied a charge of murder, to which Ms Justice Biggs directed the jury to find him not guilty. The jury, comprising ten men and two women, was requested to review the transcript of O'Neill's evidence and will continue deliberating tomorrow.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Jury to deliberate for third day in pub melee murder trial. Charges or matters: the murder of Mr McCarthy on or about August 22, 2022; violent disorder on August 21, 2022, at Dublin Road, Monasterevin; 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 Hearing Or Sentence
• August 21, 2022 Hearing Or Sentence
• 2025-02-05 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Trial Violent Crime

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Read the original CNI report