Courts / Dublin / Report

Jury deliberating in murder trial of homeowner who stabbed 'intruder' to death

Summary

A jury is set to return to the Central Criminal Court to continue deliberations in the trial of Patrick Murphy (37), who is accused of stabbing 20-year-old Jordan Ronan to death outside his home in what he claims was an act of self-defense. Murphy has admitted to stabbing Ronan but has pleaded not guilty to murder. The jury heard that Ronan suffered a single fatal stab wound to the chest during an encounter in the early hours of July 26, 2024. CCTV footage showed Ronan entering Murphy's van and then Mr Murphy's partner's BMW, where the fatal incident occurred. Gardai found a Revolut card belonging to Murphy on the deceased's body. The prosecution argued that Murphy's use of force was disproportionate, noting that he armed himself with a knife, ran out of his house, and deliberately stabbed Ronan in the chest, with the blade penetrating 18cm into his chest cavity. The defense, however, argued that Murphy acted out of panic in the heat of the moment after his home was invaded by an intruder.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Jury deliberating in murder trial of homeowner who stabbed 'intruder' to death. Charges or matters: his murder. Procedural stage: trial

When:

• July 26, 2024 Incident
• 2025-12-16 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Trial Violent Crime

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Read the original CNI report