Courts / Dublin / Report

Murder trial jury views CCTV footage of altercations between accused and deceased

Date
2026-01-28

Stage
Trial

Primary locality
Dublin

County
Dublin

Summary

A murder trial jury has viewed CCTV and mobile phone footage of a series of physical altercations that preceded the fatal stabbing of a Dublin father-of-three. Joseph Lawlor, 39, has pleaded not guilty to the murder of Michael Ryan, 51, in a carpark near his home on June 20, 2024. The prosecution, led by Kevin White SC, stated that CCTV footage shows a series of altercations between the accused and the deceased before Lawlor stabbed Ryan in the neck. Detective Garda Brendan Kearns presented footage of the accused's home, where two ornamental Samurai swords were found on the floor. Garda Ronan Kelly compiled hundreds of hours of CCTV footage, showing Lawlor and another woman purchasing alcohol before the altercations began. The footage captured the physical confrontations between Lawlor and Ryan, which were also recorded by neighbours using their mobile phones. The trial continues tomorrow before Mr Justice Patrick McGrath and the jury, with the issue of whether the accused intended to kill or cause serious injury to the deceased remaining central to the case.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Murder trial jury views CCTV footage of altercations between accused and deceased. Charges or matters: the murder of Michael Ryan (51) in a carpark to the back of the accused man's home on June 20, 2024. Procedural stage: trial

When: