Courts / Meath / Report

Murder accused turned up at garda station with blood on his clothes, trial hears

Summary

In a Central Criminal Court hearing, a 37‑year‑old man named Daniel Blanaru, accused of murdering his 26‑year‑old partner Larisa Serban, appeared at a Garda station with blood on his clothes and was described as crying hysterically. Blanaru told officers he had drunk half a bottle of whiskey the night of the stabbing at their Co Meath home. He also claimed he had begged the deceased's brother for cocaine that night. Garda John Wallace recounted seeing Blanaru pacing, handing over his licence, and later crying while in custody. Garda Rachael Carr observed him crying repeatedly in the cell. The trial, presided over by Ms Justice Eileen Creedon, will continue next Monday with an enlarged jury. The State maintains that Blanaru was a jealous and controlling partner who stabbed Larisa on or about 12 August 2022. The accused has pleaded not guilty.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Murder accused turned up at garda station with blood on his clothes, trial hears. Charges or matters: the murder of his partner Larisa at their home on or about August 12, 2022. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

• August 12, 2022 Incident
• 2025-02-27 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Drugs Stage Sentence Violent Crime

Related court reports

• Criminal asked for cigarette and bounded over six foot wall to escape custody
• Survivor says 'incredibly hard' to stand out against abuse in the face of 'lenient' sentences as relative has jail term increased
• GP receptionist who said colleague called her a 'lazy b***h' tells WRC apology wasn't 'genuine'
• 'This criminal condemned us all to death': 'jealous, controlling' man gets life for murdering partner
• Jury takes just three hours to convict man who denied murder despite telling gardai: 'I am guilty, please lock me up'"
• Jury out tomorrow for man accused of stabbing partner to death

Read the original CNI report