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'He went for us with a crowbar' - murder accused told gardai

Summary

The Central Criminal Court trial of Viorel Doroscan and Otniel Ricardo Clejan, both accused of the murder of Mahamud Ilyas on December 9, 2022, continued before Mr Justice Tony Hunt. Both men have pleaded not guilty to the charge. The jury heard evidence that Mr Ilyas died from blunt force trauma to the head, with pathologist Dr Margaret Bolster describing depressed fractures typical of hammer blows. The State alleges the accused beat Mr Ilyas to death following a dispute over a stolen bag of cannabis. In contrast, the accused told gardaí they acted in self-defense after Mr Ilyas entered an apartment armed with a crowbar and threatening to kill them. Doroscan claimed Clejan struck Mr Ilyas with a hammer, while Clejan stated he only pushed Mr Ilyas away. Co-accused Lorenzo Cantaragiu, who has pleaded not guilty to charges of impeding the prosecution, told gardaí he drove the men to a field in Hollystown where he left Mr Ilyas alive in a ditch. The trial continues tomorrow.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: 'He went for us with a crowbar' - murder accused told gardai. Charges or matters: the murder of Mr Ilyas on December 9, 2022. Procedural stage: trial

When:

• December 9, 2022 Hearing Or Sentence
• December 8, 2022 Incident
• 2025-04-30 Publication

Why: He was breathing, because I heard his gasps. CNI source report

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Drugs Stage Trial Theft Violent Crime

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Read the original CNI report