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Murder accused told gardai that 'all the evidence pointed' to him being 'the only one responsible', trial hears
Summary
During the trial, 24‑year‑old Moldovan national Valeriu Melnic pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter in the death of Ion Daghi, 39, who was stabbed with a kitchen knife at The Close, Sallins Park, on 12 May 2024. Melnic, who was heavily intoxicated, told Gardaí that he could not remember the stabbing but later said that "all the evidence pointed" to him being "the only one responsible." He described a drunken argument with Daghi, a brief moment of choking, and a fight that escalated to the use of a knife. Melnic admitted he had caused the fatal wound but could not recall holding or stabbing the knife. The jury heard his statements, the prosecution's case that he armed himself with a kitchen knife, and the defence's claim of intoxication and lack of memory. The trial is set to continue before Mr Justice David Keane and a jury of eight men and four women.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Murder accused told gardai that 'all the evidence pointed' to him being 'the only one responsible', trial hears. Charges or matters: murder but guilty to the manslaughter of Ion Daghi (39) at The Close, Sallins Park, Sallins in Co Kildare on May 12, 2024. Procedural stage: trial
When:
- May 12, 2024 Incident
- May 12 Incident
- May 13 Other
- 2025-07-16 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: murder but guilty to the manslaughter of Ion Daghi (39) at The Close, Sallins Park, Sallins in Co Kildare on May 12, 2024 (Alleged Or Contested)
Plea: Not guilty
Places mentioned
- Sallins Park
- interviewing officers at Naas Garda Station
- Naas
Topics
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