Courts / Kildare / Report
Jury finds 24-year-old not guilty of murder but guilty of manslaughter of sister's partner
Summary
A 24‑year‑old Moldovan national, Valeriu Melnic, was found not guilty of murder but guilty of manslaughter by a Central Criminal Court jury after he stabbed his sister's partner, Ion Daghi, to death with a kitchen knife on 12 May 2024. Melnic told Gardaí he was "so drunk" that he could not remember the stabbing, and he had earlier said "I will kill you" to Daghi. The jury rejected the prosecution's murder case, accepting the defence of intoxication and provocation. The judge, Mr Justice David Keane, noted the graphic evidence and the jury's service, and remanded Melnic in custody until a sentencing hearing on 3 November. The Daghi family will be able to give a statement at that hearing. The case was listed for mention on 20 October. The trial detailed the night's events, including multiple bottles of whiskey, a dispute, and the fatal stab wound to Daghi's chest.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Jury finds 24-year-old not guilty of murder but guilty of manslaughter of sister's partner. Charges or matters: murder but guilty to the manslaughter of Mr Daghi (39) at The Close, Sallins Park, Sallins in Co Kildare on May 12, 2024. Procedural stage: sentence. Findings: Acquitted
When:
- May 12, 2024 Other
- November 3 Adjournment
- October 20 Adjournment
- May 12 Incident
- 2025-07-22 Publication
Why: Mr Baccieu went to look for the defenant's car keys, because Melnic wasn't calming down after Mr Daghi told him to go home. CNI source report
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: murder but guilty to the manslaughter of Mr Daghi (39) at The Close, Sallins Park, Sallins in Co Kildare on May 12, 2024 (Alleged Or Contested)
Plea: Not guilty
Finding: Acquitted
Outcome: Acquitted; A sentence hearing for Melnic is expected to take place on November 3 and the judge remanded the defendant in custody until that date.; A sentence hearing for Melnic is expected to take place on November 3 and the judge remanded the defendant in custody until that date.
Places mentioned
- Central Criminal Court
- Sallins Park
- Mr Daghi's house
- interviewing officers at Naas Garda Station
- Naas
Topics
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