Courts / Tipperary / Report
Man tells murder trial accused admitted to killing
Summary
In a 2014 murder trial, William O'Riordan, a former glass blower aged 39, testified that the accused, John Hannigan, admitted to killing Anthony Fallon, 46, on 18 January 2012. O'Riordan described walking through Clonmel that morning, hearing about an incident on the quay side, and later meeting Hannigan and his brother Joseph O'Riordan. He recounted asking Hannigan if he was involved, to which Hannigan replied, "No. I've nothing to do with it. Why are you asking me?" O'Riordan then claimed Hannigan admitted to killing Fallon. The witness also noted that Hannigan had assaulted Fallon and that the victim was badly beaten before being taken to a shop where he was given alcohol. The trial, presided over by Mr Justice Paul Carney, continued with a jury of eight men and four women. The prosecution argued that Hannigan and O'Riordan assaulted Fallon before he died of his injuries at the scene. The case remained in progress. John Hannigan pleaded not guilty.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Man tells murder trial accused admitted to killing. Charges or matters: murdering Anthony Fallon (46) in the town on January 18, 2012; assault causing harm on Mr Fallon on the same date at a flat on Abbey Street, Clonmel. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- January 18, 2012 Incident
- 2014-02-18 Publication
Why: A shopkeeper testified that he served alcohol to a badly beaten Mr Fallon around 6am that day, because the deceased told him that two men with him would kill them both if he didn't. CNI source report
Case subjects
Convicted Person
Charges: murdering Anthony Fallon (46) in the town on January 18, 2012; assault causing harm on Mr Fallon on the same date at a flat on Abbey Street, Clonmel (Alleged Or Contested)
Plea: Not guilty
Outcome: Mr O'Riordan told the Central Criminal Court that he was walking through the town that morning when he heard that there had been an incident on the quay side. "I was concerned that my brother was down there," he testified, referring to Joseph O'Riordan, who has since been sentenced for assaulting Mr Fallon.
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