Courts / Kerry / Report

Jury out tomorrow for man accused of stabbing partner to death

Summary

In a County Meath murder trial, a 37‑year‑old man named Daniel Blanaru, from Rathmore, Athboy, has pleaded not guilty to the stabbing death of his partner, Larisa Serban, aged 26, which occurred on or about 12 August 2022. Serban's body was discovered early the next morning in the bedroom‑hallway area of their home, with two stab wounds: one to the chest that punctured the heart, lung and aorta, and another to the arm that fractured a bone. The trial, lasting seven weeks, was heard by an enlarged jury of eleven men and four women. Defence counsel Giollaíosa Ó Lideadha concluded his closing address, while Justice Eileen Creedon explained the law and the evidence, noting that the prosecution bears the burden of proof beyond reasonable doubt. She outlined the possible verdicts—guilty or not guilty of murder, or not guilty of murder but guilty of manslaughter—and instructed the jury to remain dispassionate and objective.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Jury out tomorrow for man accused of stabbing partner to death. Charges or matters: the murder of Larisa Serban (26) at Rathmore, Co Meath on or about August 12, 2022; murder and in his defence, he says he does not accept that he killed Larisa Serban. Procedural stage: trial

When:

• August 12, 2022 Hearing Or Sentence
• 2025-03-31 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Trial Violent Crime

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Read the original CNI report