Courts / Dublin / Report

Murder trial collapses after judge tells jury of 'matters beyond her control'

Summary

In a Central Criminal Court murder trial, Judge Karen O'Connor discharged a jury of five women and seven men after two weeks of proceedings, citing "matters beyond my control" and expressing regret that the trial could not continue. The case involved Joseph Lawlor, 39, who pleaded not guilty to the murder of Michael Ryan, 51, outside Lawlor's home in Finglas on 20 June 2024. The prosecution had presented evidence that the two men had been drinking together, with CCTV and neighbour recordings capturing a series of fights that culminated in a fatal stabbing shortly after midnight, leaving Ryan with a single neck wound that severed an artery. The judge thanked the jury for their attentiveness, exempted them from further duty for five years, and postponed the matter to a new trial date of 22 July 2025.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Murder trial collapses after judge tells jury of 'matters beyond her control'. Charges or matters: murdering dad-of-three Michael Ryan (51) outside the accused man's home in Hampton Wood Way, St Margaret's Road, Finglas, Dublin 11 on June 20, 2024. Procedural stage: trial

When:

• June 20, 2024 Incident
• June 19 Incident
• July 22 Incident
• 2025-07-07 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Trial Violent Crime

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Read the original CNI report