Courts / Kildare / Report

Night of drinking ended with fatal stabbing, murder trial hears

Summary

In a murder trial, a 24‑year‑old man, Valeriu Melnic, was charged with the fatal stabbing of Ion Daghi, 39, at The Close, Sallins Park, Kildare, on 12 May 2024. Melnic pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter, a plea rejected by the Director of Public Prosecutions. The case was heard by a jury of eight men and four women. The prosecution, represented by Carl Hanahoe SC, recounted that Melnic and his friend Alexandru Beccieu had spent the night drinking at Daghi's house, arriving at 8 pm and consuming three bottles of whiskey. Around 3 am a dispute arose between Melnic and Daghi, escalating into a physical altercation involving Beccieu. Melnic allegedly armed himself with a kitchen knife, entered the kitchen, and stabbed Daghi once in the chest. A pathologist is expected to confirm a single stab wound to the left side of the chest, causing rapid death.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Night of drinking ended with fatal stabbing, murder trial hears. Charges or matters: murdering Ion Daghi (39) at The Close, Sallins Park, Sallins in Co Kildare on May 12, 2024; murder but guilty to Mr Daghi's manslaughter. Procedural stage: trial

When:

• May 12, 2024 Hearing Or Sentence
• 2025-07-08 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Trial Violent Crime

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Read the original CNI report