Courts / Dublin / Report
Family of shooting victim left in wardrobe 'baffled' at how killer continued with life 'as normal'
Summary
At the Central Criminal Court, the sister of Sean McCarthy addressed the court during the sentencing hearing of Dean Caffrey, who was convicted of her brother's manslaughter. Nicole McCarthy stated she remained "baffled" at how Caffrey continued his daily life normally after killing her brother in his Drumcondra apartment on 2 August 2022. McCarthy's body was discovered wrapped in plastic inside a suitcase in Caffrey's wardrobe after a five-day search. The court heard that Caffrey, aged 38, of Beaucort, Achill Road, Drumcondra, Dublin 9, pleaded not guilty to murder. A jury found him guilty of manslaughter by majority verdict in October 2024. The prosecution submitted that the case attracted a headline sentence of between ten and fifteen years. Caffrey's legal team highlighted his expressions of remorse and educational achievements whilst in custody. Mr Justice Paul McDermott will deliver sentence on 31 March.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Family of shooting victim left in wardrobe 'baffled' at how killer continued with life 'as normal'. Charges or matters: McCarthy's murder at Beaucort on August 2, 2022. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- August 2, 2022 Hearing Or Sentence
- Tuesday August 2, 2022 Hearing Or Sentence
- August 2022 Incident
- March 31 Incident
- 2025-03-24 Publication
Why: Lorcan Staines SC, for Caffrey, pointed to probation and welfare reports that state his client had said he did not call emergency services because he believed there was an imminent threat to his life if he did. CNI source report
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: McCarthy's murder at Beaucort on August 2, 2022 (Alleged Or Contested)
Plea: Not guilty
Outcome: Cathleen Noctor SC, for the Director of Public Prosecutions, told Mr Justice Paul McDermott today that the prosecution puts Caffrey's offending in the high culpability range, attracting a headline sentence of between ten and 15 years. Mr Justice McDermott will sentence Caffrey on March 31 next.
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