Courts / Dublin / Report

Jury should not have learned murderer was on Tinder moments before stabbing, barrister argues

Summary

Brandon Gavin's appeal against his murder conviction was heard before the Court of Appeal, where his legal team argued that evidence of his Tinder activity and messages to a third party was prejudicial and inadmissible. Gavin, of Swords, pleaded not guilty to the murder of Marius Mamaliga (19) at Forest Court, Swords, on February 23, 2023, but was convicted by a Central Criminal Court jury in November 2024. He was subsequently sentenced to the mandatory term of life imprisonment by Ms Justice Eileen Creedon. The defence contended that the admitted material cast Gavin in an unfavourable light and suggested a propensity for criminal conduct unrelated to the charged offence. Conversely, the State argued the evidence was probative in refuting Gavin's claim of self-defence, which he alleged was necessitated by a €2,500 drug debt and threats from the deceased. The prosecution maintained the killing was premeditated, noting Gavin searched for prison sentences for murder the day prior and interacted with Tinder minutes before the attack. The trial jury had unanimously rejected the self-defence argument as "self-serving nonsense." The three-judge appeal panel, presided over by Ms Justice Isobel Kennedy, reserved judgment on the matter, meaning the appeal has not yet been concluded.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Jury should not have learned murderer was on Tinder moments before stabbing, barrister argues. Charges or matters: the murder of Mr Mamaliga (19) at Forest Court, Swords, on the evening of February 23, 2023 but was convicted by a Central Criminal Court jury in November 2024. Procedural stage: appeal. Findings: Convicted

When:

• February 23, 2023 Hearing Or Sentence
• November 2024 Hearing Or Sentence
• February 23 Hearing Or Sentence
• February 22 Hearing Or Sentence
• 2026-02-24 Publication

Why: Counsel said the defence case was that Gavin "spiralled" because he owed Mr Mamaliga money and stabbed him in self-defence after the deceased lurched towards the defendant in a threatening way. Defence account reported by CNI

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Drugs Stage Appeal Violent Crime

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Read the original CNI report