Courts / Dublin / Report

Pair who aided in murder aftermath walk free

Date
2025-07-30

Stage
Sentence

Primary locality
Blanchardstown

County
Dublin

Summary

Two men, Robert Burns (59) and Lorenzo Cantaragiu (22), were sentenced by Mr Justice Tony Hunt at the Central Criminal Court for aiding the murder of Mahamud Ilyas (22). Burns provided a house for drug dealing and allowed the killers to use it; he also cleaned blood from the premises. Cantaragiu drove the killers from the scene to Belgree Lane in Co Meath, where Ilyas was left to die, and later cleaned the car. Both were given four‑year prison terms with the entirety suspended, meaning they walk free today but must remain of good behaviour for four years or risk serving the term. They also face a one‑year probation bond and must attend programmes recommended by the probation service. The judge warned them to avoid further criminal activity and to address Burns' cannabis use, which he said had drawn the killers into his life. Lorenzo Cantaragiu was convicted.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Pair who aided in murder aftermath walk free. Charges or matters: a similar charge for cleaning blood from the floor and walls of his apartment after the assault. Procedural stage: sentence. Findings: Convicted

When:

December 9, 2022 Hearing Or Sentence
May 23 Incident
2025-07-30 Publication

Why: He said Doroscan and Clejan had taken advantage of Burns because they wanted to use his house as a "drug den for the purposes of dealing drugs", something they were not prepared to do from their own homes. CNI source report

Case subjects

Lorenzo Cantaragiu

Defendant

Charges: a similar charge for cleaning blood from the floor and walls of his apartment after the assault (Proven)

Finding: Convicted

Outcome: Convicted; Mr Justice Hunt sentenced Burns, who has been on bail since he was charged, to four year in prison with the entirety suspended. Mr Hunt sentenced him to four years in prison and suspended the balance of the term, allowing him to go free from court today.