Courts / Meath / Report

Detective rejects assertion that narrative 'pushed' on murder accused

Summary

During the Central Criminal Court hearing, Detective Sergeant Mark Looby explained that Daniel Blanaru, a 37‑year‑old from Rathmore, Athboy, Co. Meath, repeatedly deflected questions during his August 12, 2022 interview at Ashbourne Garda Station. Looby described how Blanaru would shift from the questions asked, often speaking about unrelated matters. The detective also denied the defence's claim that Gardaí had "pushed" a narrative onto Blanaru. He stated that Blanaru's statements about the knife and the victim's injuries were his own free narrative, not imposed by the Garda. Looby noted that Blanaru had admitted to being guilty and wanting to be locked up, but had not agreed to any statements for the sake of agreement. The trial continues before Justice Eileen Creedon and an enlarged jury. Daniel Blanaru pleaded not guilty.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Detective rejects assertion that narrative 'pushed' on murder accused. Charges or matters: the murder of Larisa Serban (26) on or about August 12, 2022. Procedural stage: trial

When:

• August 12, 2022 Other
• 2025-03-12 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Trial 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