Courts / Kildare / Report

Murder accused tried to protect head while deceased held leg of chair in hand, witness tells trial

Date
2025-07-10

Stage
Trial

Primary locality
Sallins

County
Kildare

Summary

During a Central Criminal Court hearing on 10 July 2025, a witness described how Valeriu Melnic (24) of Calliaghstown Lower, Rathcoole, attempted to protect his head while Ion Daghi (39) of The Close, Sallins Park, held a chair leg and threatened to beat him. The witness, Moldovan Alexandru Beccieu (24), testified that the two men had been drinking heavily, with Melnic allegedly consuming a "colossal amount" of whiskey. Melnic had pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter. A pathologist told the jury that Daghi died from a single 13‑cm stab wound to the chest, causing rapid death. The trial, presided over by Mr Justice David Keane, continues with a jury of eight men and four women. The witness's testimony focused on the altercation, the drinking, and the fatal stabbing, without providing any further legal conclusions.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Murder accused tried to protect head while deceased held leg of chair in hand, witness tells trial. 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 Other
May 11 Other
2025-07-10 Publication

Why: Mr Baccieu went to look for the accused's car keys because Mr Melnic wasn't calming down after Mr Daghi told him to go home. CNI source report

Case subjects

Valeriu Melnic

Accused

Charges: 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 (Alleged Or Contested)

Plea: Not guilty