Courts / Kerry / Report

Jury takes just three hours to convict man who denied murder despite telling gardai: 'I am guilty, please lock me up'"

Date
2025-04-01

Stage
Sentence

Primary locality
Rathmore

County
Kerry

Summary

Daniel Blanaru, 37, was convicted of the murder of Larisa Serban at the Central Criminal Court. The jury, comprising ten men and two women, deliberated for three hours and two minutes before returning a unanimous verdict. Blanaru had pleaded not guilty to the murder of Ms Serban at her home in Rathmore, Athboy, Co Meath, on or about August 12, 2022. The prosecution alleged she died from a sustained and brutal attack, including a fatal stab wound to the chest. Although Blanaru initially told gardaí he was guilty, he later claimed the stabbing was accidental. The court heard evidence of prior threats and controlling behavior alleged by the victim's family. Following the conviction, Blanaru will be sentenced to the mandatory term of life imprisonment at a sentencing hearing scheduled for April 10. Members of the victim's family will be invited to make statements to the court at that time. The matter is now at the sentencing stage, with the specific disposal to be determined by the judge on the specified date.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Jury takes just three hours to convict man who denied murder despite telling gardai: 'I am guilty, please lock me up'". Charges or matters: the murder of Ms Serban at that address on or about August 12, 2022. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

August 12, 2022 Other
April 10 Hearing Or Sentence
August 12 Other
2025-04-01 Publication

Why: "She never had another man, because she loved him very much, but he didn't believe her. CNI source report

Case subjects

Daniel Blanaru

Defendant

Charges: the murder of Ms Serban at that address on or about August 12, 2022 (Alleged Or Contested)

Plea: Not guilty

Outcome: Blanaru will be sentenced to the mandatory term of life imprisonment at a sentencing hearing on April 10 when members of the victim's family will be invited to make a statement to the court.