Courts / Dublin / Report

Dad-of-four cleared of murder but convicted of manslaughter for stabbing 'intruder' on driveway

Date
2025-12-17

Stage
Trial

Primary locality
Tallaght

County
Dublin

Summary

A father-of-four was found guilty of manslaughter for killing an 'intruder' who had stolen from his unlocked van and entered his partner's car. Patrick Murphy (35) was not found guilty of murder but was convicted of manslaughter. The jury heard that Murphy stabbed 20-year-old Jordan Ronan, who had stolen a Revolut card from Murphy's van. Murphy claimed he was acting in self-defense, but the court found that the force used was excessive. The prosecution argued that Murphy's actions were disproportionate, as he armed himself with a knife and deliberately stabbed Ronan in the chest. The defense claimed Murphy acted out of panic after his property was violated. The jury viewed CCTV footage showing Ronan entering Murphy's van and partner's car before Murphy ran out with a knife. The court accepted that the Revolut card found on Ronan belonged to Murphy. The judge will sentence Murphy in January 2026, and the Ronan family will be invited to make statements. The jury spent over seven hours deliberating before delivering the verdict.