Courts / Kildare / Report
Stabbing victim's mother tells court 'there will always be a stain' on her heart
Summary
In a sentence hearing for 24‑year‑old Valeriu Melnic, the court heard a victim impact statement from the mother of the deceased, Mr. Ion Daghi, who described the loss as "irreplaceable" and said it would always stain her heart. Melnic, who admitted to being "so drunk" that he could not remember stabbing Daghi with a kitchen knife, was found not guilty of murder but guilty of manslaughter by a jury in July. The hearing reiterated that Melnic's intoxication and the fact that he had no intent to kill were key defence arguments. The court noted that Melnic's relationship with his sister was "somewhat gone" and that he had tried to write to her but could not find the words. The judge remanded Melnic in custody until his sentencing on 17 November.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Stabbing victim's mother tells court 'there will always be a stain' on her heart. 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
When:
- July 22 Hearing Or Sentence
- May 12, 2024 Other
- November 17 Adjournment
- May 12 Incident
- 2025-11-03 Publication
Why: Mr Baccieu went to look for the defendant'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
Outcome: Mr Justice David Keane remanded Melnic in custody until November 17, when he will be sentenced.; Mr Justice David Keane remanded Melnic in custody until November 17, when he will be sentenced.
Places mentioned
- The Central Criminal Court
- Central Criminal Court
- Sallins Park
- Wayne Kenny from Naas Garda Station
- Naas
- interviewing officers at Naas Garda Station
- Mr Daghi's house
Topics
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