Courts / Clare / Report

Murderer who told 'borderline laughable' lies about 'sneak attack' fails in appeal

Date
2026-02-13

Stage
Appeal

Primary locality
Ennis

County
Clare

Summary

A murderer who claimed he was acting in self-defence when he stabbed his ex-partner's boyfriend to death has failed in an appeal against his conviction. Nassar Ahmed (45) of The Mews, Kilrush Road, Ennis, had pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to the manslaughter of Eoin Boylan (32) at Gordon Drive, Cloughleigh, Ennis, on April 14th, 2020. The trial jury found Ahmed guilty of murder after deliberating for just two hours and five minutes, rejecting his claim of self-defence. Ahmed was sentenced to life imprisonment by Ms Justice Eileen Creedon in July 2022. The prosecution argued that Ahmed had invited Boylan to a fist fight and then stabbed him in a 'sneak attack' while concealing a knife. Ahmed told gardaí he grabbed a sharp object but could not remember what it was or where he threw it. The prosecution described his lies as 'borderline laughable'. The jury watched CCTV footage showing Boylan retreating from the attack. Ahmed admitted to unlawfully killing Boylan but claimed self-defence. The jury rejected his claim, finding he was the aggressor.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Murderer who told 'borderline laughable' lies about 'sneak attack' fails in appeal. Charges or matters: murder but guilty to the manslaughter of Eoin Boylan (32) at Gordon Drive, Cloughleigh, Ennis, on April 14th, 2020. Procedural stage: appeal

When:

April 14th, 2020 Hearing Or Sentence
July 2022 Incident
Christmas 2019 Incident
2026-02-13 Publication

Case subjects

Nassar Ahmed

Convicted Person

Charges: murder but guilty to the manslaughter of Eoin Boylan (32) at Gordon Drive, Cloughleigh, Ennis, on April 14th, 2020 (Alleged Or Contested)

Plea: Not guilty

Outcome: He was sentenced to the mandatory term of life imprisonment by Ms Justice Eileen Creedon at the Central Criminal Court in July 2022.