Courts / Meath / Report
Detective rejects concerns that tiredness tainted murder accused's interviews
Summary
During the Central Criminal Court trial of Daniel Blanaru, a 37‑year‑old accused of murdering his partner Larisa Serban, Detective Sergeant Mark Looby rejected the defence's claim that the interview was tainted by the accused's tiredness. Looby told the jury that Blanaru had changed his account three times and that the detective did not accept that the accused's statements about being tired raised any concern. The detective noted that Blanaru had admitted to being drunk and unable to remember everything, but he insisted that the interview was conducted properly. Looby also stated that the accused had not introduced the word "knife" into his narrative and that any mention of a knife was a new account given during the interview. The trial continues tomorrow before Justice Eileen Creedon and an enlarged jury. The unnamed 37-year-old pleaded not guilty.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Detective rejects concerns that tiredness tainted murder accused's interviews. Charges or matters: the murder of Larisa Serban (26) on or about August 12, 2022. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- August 12, 2022 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2025-03-10 Publication
Case subjects
Accused
Charges: the murder of Larisa Serban (26) on or about August 12, 2022 (Alleged Or Contested)
Plea: Not guilty
Outcome: I was drunk, I can't remember everything." Ó Lideadha said that Mr Blanaru had said in Romanian: "Mother, I'm so tired, I can't understand anything anymore." Defence counsel asked Det Sgt Looby if this would have given the gardaí any grounds for concern. "I would have asked what he did not understand," replied Det Sgt Looby, going on to say that this sentence had not been translated to the gardaí at the time.
Places mentioned
- Central Criminal Court
- Blanaru's interview in Ashbourne Garda Station
- Ashbourne
Topics
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