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Jury to return next week in cannabis murder trial

Summary

In the Central Criminal Court, jurors are deliberating a murder case involving Viorel Doroscan (23) and Otniel Richardo Clejan (24), who deny killing 22‑year‑old Mahamud Ilyas on 9 December 2022. The State alleges the men sold drugs and beat Ilyas after a dispute over a stolen cannabis bag, while the accused claim self‑defence after Ilyas entered an apartment with a weapon. Ilyas's body, found at Belgree Lane, Co Meath, shows blunt‑force head trauma typical of hammer blows. The jury, consisting of seven men and five women, has spent five hours and 35 minutes over three days and will resume on Tuesday. The judge explained that a verdict of murder requires proof of a joint enterprise to cause serious harm, while manslaughter could result if the death was due to unlawful assault without intent. The case also involves co‑accused Lorenzo Cantaragiu, who faces charges of impeding the prosecution and has pleaded not guilty.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Jury to return next week in cannabis murder trial. Charges or matters: the murder of Mr Ilyas on December 9, 2022; all charges. Procedural stage: trial

When:

• December 2022 Hearing Or Sentence
• December 9, 2022 Hearing Or Sentence
• December 10th, 2022 Hearing Or Sentence
• 2025-05-16 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Drugs Stage Trial Theft Violent Crime

Read the original CNI report