Courts / Limerick / Report

Deceased received ten stab wounds to head, trial hears

Date
2013-11-05

Stage
Trial

Primary locality
Limerick

Summary

Three Limerick men—Seán Flanagan (28), Paul Colbert (46), and Ian Flanagan (24)—are on trial at the Central Criminal Court for the death of 43‑year‑old Gerard McMahon, who was stabbed to death on 18 January 2012. Seán and Paul pleaded not guilty to murder; Ian pleaded not guilty to two counts of assisting an offender. The prosecution alleges McMahon was attacked while heading to his cousin's house on Lenihan Avenue, receiving 16 stab wounds: seven to the back of the head, three to the side, and three to the back of the trunk, and a hatchet was also used. The State claims the men acted in joint enterprise, leaving the house armed with a common intention to attack McMahon. The trial will resume on Thursday before Justice Garrett Sheehan and a jury of eight women and four men.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Deceased received ten stab wounds to head, trial hears. Charges or matters: murdering Gerard McMahon at a house on Lenihan Avenue on January 18, 2012; two counts of assisting an offender on the same date. Procedural stage: trial

When:

January 18, 2012 Other
2013-11-05 Publication

Why: Mr O'Higgins explained that Seán and Ian Flanagan were brothers and that Mr Colbert was their uncle. CNI source report

Case subjects

Ian Flanagan

Accused

Charges: two counts of assisting an offender on the same date (Alleged Or Contested)

Plea: Not guilty

Paul Colbert

Accused

Charges: murdering Gerard McMahon at a house on Lenihan Avenue on January 18, 2012; two counts of assisting an offender on the same date (Alleged Or Contested)

Plea: Not guilty

Seán Flanagan

Applicant

Charges: murdering Gerard McMahon at a house on Lenihan Avenue on January 18, 2012; two counts of assisting an offender on the same date (Alleged Or Contested)

Plea: Not guilty