Courts / Donegal / Report

Man pleads not guilty to murdering grandfather in Donegal Gaeltacht

Date
2026-03-23
Stage
Sentence
Primary locality
Letterkenny
County
Donegal

Summary

Derek Mulligan has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to murdering his grandfather Derek Burns in Carrickcoyle, Donegal, in December 2023. Prosecuting counsel told the trial that State and defence psychiatrists agree Mulligan was suffering from a mental disorder when the killing occurred. The trial also concerns alleged property damage, threats and assaults on the same date, and continues before a judge and jury.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Man pleads not guilty to murdering grandfather in Donegal Gaeltacht. Procedural stage: sentence. Findings: Not guilty by reason of insanity

When:

Case subjects

Unnamed 39-year-old

Accused

Plea: Not guilty

Finding: Not guilty by reason of insanity

Outcome: Not guilty by reason of insanity; Ms McLaughlin said that individual was prosecuted in the Central Criminal Court and sentenced to 15 years in prison for abusing a number of victims.

Places mentioned

Secondary Mention
Residence
Court Venue
  • Central Criminal Court
Incident
Garda Station
  • was brought to Milford Garda Station
  • Milford

Topics

Stage Sentence

Related court reports

Read the original CNI report

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