Courts / Dublin / Report

Four now convicted following 'inhumane' murder over bag of cannabis

Date
2025-05-23
Stage
Sentence
Primary locality
Blanchardstown
County
Dublin

Summary

The Central Criminal Court has convicted four men of offences arising from the murder of Mahamud Ilyas. Viorel Doroscan and Otniel Richardo Clejan, who pleaded not guilty, were unanimously convicted of murder and remanded in custody. They face a mandatory term of life imprisonment at a sentencing hearing scheduled for June 23. Lorenzo Cantaragiu, who also pleaded not guilty, was convicted of impeding the prosecution or apprehension of Doroscan and Clejan and cleaning his car to impede the prosecution. The jury rejected his defence that he acted under intimidation. Cantaragiu was remanded in custody until June 23, with a probation report directed. Robert Burns, who pleaded guilty to one count of cleaning the apartment where the assault occurred, had his remaining charges indicated for dismissal at a later hearing. The court described the disposal of the victim as grotesquely inhumane. The matter for all defendants is adjourned to June 23 for sentencing or further proceedings.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Four now convicted following 'inhumane' murder over bag of cannabis. Charges or matters: one offence of cleaning the apartment at Verdemont on December 9, 2022, knowing or believing Clejan had committed serious harm there; all charges; Mr Ilyas's murder on December 9, 2022 but were unanimously convicted by the jury on Tuesday. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

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

Case subjects

Lorenzo Cantaragiu

Convicted Person

Charges: one offence of cleaning the apartment at Verdemont on December 9, 2022, knowing or believing Clejan had committed serious harm there; all charges; Mr Ilyas's murder on December 9, 2022 but were unanimously convicted by the jury on Tuesday (Alleged Or Contested)

Plea: Not guilty

Outcome: After the jury delivered its verdicts, Jane Murphy BL, prosecuting, made an application for Cantaragiu to be remanded in custody ahead of a sentencing hearing on June 23.

Otniel Richardo Clejan

Background Person

Charges: one offence of cleaning the apartment at Verdemont on December 9, 2022, knowing or believing Clejan had committed serious harm there; all charges; Mr Ilyas's murder on December 9, 2022 but were unanimously convicted by the jury on Tuesday (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: Doroscan and Clejan have been remanded in custody and will be sentenced to the mandatory term of life imprisonment at a sentencing hearing on June 23 when members of the victim's family will be invited to make Victim Impact Statements.; After the jury delivered its verdicts, Jane Murphy BL, prosecuting, made an application for Cantaragiu to be remanded in custody ahead of a sentencing hearing on June 23.

Robert Burns

Accused

Charges: one offence of cleaning the apartment at Verdemont on December 9, 2022, knowing or believing Clejan had committed serious harm there; all charges; Mr Ilyas's murder on December 9, 2022 but were unanimously convicted by the jury on Tuesday (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: After the jury delivered its verdicts, Jane Murphy BL, prosecuting, made an application for Cantaragiu to be remanded in custody ahead of a sentencing hearing on June 23.

Viorel Doroscan

Background Person

Charges: one offence of cleaning the apartment at Verdemont on December 9, 2022, knowing or believing Clejan had committed serious harm there; all charges; Mr Ilyas's murder on December 9, 2022 but were unanimously convicted by the jury on Tuesday (Alleged Or Contested)

Plea: Not guilty

Outcome: Doroscan and Clejan have been remanded in custody and will be sentenced to the mandatory term of life imprisonment at a sentencing hearing on June 23 when members of the victim's family will be invited to make Victim Impact Statements.; After the jury delivered its verdicts, Jane Murphy BL, prosecuting, made an application for Cantaragiu to be remanded in custody ahead of a sentencing hearing on June 23.

Places mentioned

Court Venue
  • The Central Criminal Court
Address Area
  • Belgree Lane
Residence
Journey Or Route
  • Belgree Lane
Secondary Mention

Topics

Drugs Stage Sentence Violent Crime

Related court reports

Read the original CNI report

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