Courts / Wicklow / Report
Murder accused pleads guilty to violent disorder at playground
Summary
A man charged with murder at a Wicklow playground has pleaded guilty to violent disorder and producing a knife during a fight. Patrick Fitzpatrick admitted to using unlawful violence and producing a knife in the course of a fight at Ballywaltrim playground in Bray. He had also been charged with the murder of William Moorehouse, but the trial for that charge has been vacated. Fitzpatrick will appear again in July for a sentencing hearing. The court heard that the incident involved multiple individuals and that Fitzpatrick's actions were part of a broader altercation. His guilty plea to the lesser charges has led to the dismissal of the murder charge for now, with the focus shifting to sentencing for the violent disorder and weapon-related offense.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Murder accused pleads guilty to violent disorder at playground. Charges or matters: violent disorder and producing a knife in the course of a fight; an offence on the same date and at the same location that he, while committing or appearing to be about to commit an offence of violent disorder, during the course of a fight, produced a knife in a manner likely unlawfully to intimidate another person. Procedural stage: charge_or_pretrial
When:
- January 19, 2025 Hearing Or Sentence
- July 29 Incident
- 2026-05-18 Publication
Case subjects
Accused
Charges: violent disorder and producing a knife in the course of a fight; an offence on the same date and at the same location that he, while committing or appearing to be about to commit an offence of violent disorder, during the course of a fight, produced a knife in a manner likely unlawfully to intimidate another person (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Places mentioned
- Central Criminal Court
- Schools Road
Topics
Stage Charge Or Pretrial Violent Crime
Related court reports
- 'Alternative dispute resolution': man arranged 'straightener' during which dad-of-seven was stabbed to death
- Former accountant went on 'nationwide tour' with bank card stolen from hospital patient
- State defends use of social media photos in Bray Boxing Club shooter's trial
- Facebook photos of Bray Boxing Club shooter with gun prejudiced his jury, barrister claims
- Suspended sentence for sex assault on girl (6)
- Judge fines mother-of-four after drunken row with gardaí outside family home
If a fact, identity, locality or legal outcome needs review, email the newsroom with this report's details prefilled.
Email a correction request