Courts / Kildare / Report

Issue of intoxication 'all over' murder trial, defence tell jury

Summary

The jury heard that the 24‑year‑old Moldovan national Valeriu Melnic, who stabbed Ion Daghi to death with a kitchen knife, was heavily intoxicated after drinking three bottles of "firewater." Melnic pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter. The defence argued that intoxication and provocation should reduce the charge to manslaughter, citing Melnic's memory loss and the alleged assault by Daghi. The prosecution countered that Melnic's statement "I will kill you" and the circumstances of the struggle showed intent to kill, making murder the appropriate verdict. Judge Keane explained that intoxication is not a full defence to murder and that provocation must be a sudden, complete loss of self‑control. The jury was instructed to decide between guilty of murder or guilty of manslaughter. Valeriu Melnic was acquitted.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Issue of intoxication 'all over' murder trial, defence tell jury. 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: finding. Findings: Acquitted

When:

• May 12, 2024 Other
• May 12 Incident
• 2025-07-18 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Finding Violent Crime

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Read the original CNI report