Courts / Kildare / Report
Jury given majority verdict option in trial of man accused of murdering sister's partner
Summary
A jury of eight men and four women is set to return to the Central Criminal Court to continue deliberating the verdict in the murder trial of Moldovan national Valeriu Melnic, aged 24, who is accused of fatally stabbing Ion Daghi, aged 39, with a kitchen knife on 12 May 2024. Melnic pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter. The jury has spent five hours and 52 minutes over two days considering the case and has not yet reached a unanimous verdict. Judge David Keane has advised that they may seek a majority verdict, requiring at least ten jurors to agree, and has asked them to return tomorrow for further guidance on the defence of provocation. The jury is also instructed to consider whether intoxication could negate intent, and whether provocation could reduce the charge to manslaughter. The case remains at the deliberation stage, with no verdict yet announced.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Jury given majority verdict option in trial of man accused of murdering sister's partner. 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 Other
- May 12 Incident
- 2025-07-21 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
- Central Criminal Court
- Sallins Park
- interviewing officers at Naas Garda Station
- Naas
Topics
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