Courts / Dublin / Report

Jury fails to reach verdict on manslaughter charge involving alleged rare cause of death

Summary

Paul Brannigan, 24, pleaded not guilty to manslaughter of Jason Saunders, who died after a rare cardiac arrest called commotio cordis. A six‑day trial and almost five hours of deliberation ended with a hung jury on the manslaughter charge. The jury found Brannigan guilty of two counts of assault by head‑butting and striking with a golf club, and of producing an article capable of serious injury. Brannigan denied all offences. Judge Patrick McCartan remanded him in custody for sentencing on 15 December. Chief State Pathologist Professor Marie Cassidy testified that Saunders died from a blow to the chest within a 30‑millisecond window, while defence pathologist Dr Declan Gilsenan disputed this, suggesting drug use and a testosterone spike caused the arrest. Brannigan admitted head‑butting and swinging a golf club but denied striking the victim. He later expressed remorse to the family. The case concluded with Brannigan taken to prison.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Jury fails to reach verdict on manslaughter charge involving alleged rare cause of death. Charges or matters: the manslaughter of Jason Saunders at Fassaugh Avenue, Cabra West on March 18, 2014. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

• March 18, 2014 Incident
• December 15th Adjournment
• 2015-12-08 Publication

Why: He told gardaí that he head-butted the deceased because Mr Saunders was holding a bottle of vodka over his head and he believed he was going to throw it at him. CNI source report

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Drugs Stage Sentence Violent Crime

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Read the original CNI report