Courts / Louth / Report
Aaron Connolly to be retried for murder of Cameron Reilly
Summary
The Court of Appeal has ordered the retrial of Aaron Connolly, whose murder conviction for Cameron Reilly was quashed due to remarks by the trial judge that may have been perceived as mocking the defence case. The trial judge's charge to the jury was found to lack balance and may have been seen as advocacy for the prosecution case and disparaging of the defence case. Connolly, who was 26 at the time of the murder, initially denied any sexual contact with Reilly but later admitted to performing oral sex on him. The trial heard that Reilly was bisexual and had confided in friends about this. Connolly was found guilty in December 2022 and received a mandatory life sentence. His appeal argued that the trial judge's comments were denigrating of the defence case. The Court of Appeal ruled that the trial judge's remarks were capable of being perceived as disparaging and mocking the defence case. The conviction was quashed, and the Director of Public Prosecutions will decide whether to apply for a retrial. Aaron Connolly pleaded not guilty.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Aaron Connolly to be retried for murder of Cameron Reilly. Charges or matters: the murder of 18-year-old Cameron Reilly at Shamrock Hill, Dunleer, Co Louth on May 26, 2018, but was found guilty by a unanimous jury verdict in December 2022 and received a mandatory life sentence. Procedural stage: appeal. Findings: Found guilty
When:
- May 25 Incident
- May 25, 2018 Hearing Or Sentence
- May 26, 2018 Other
- December 2022 Other
- 2026-06-04 Publication
Case subjects
Appellant
Charges: the murder of 18-year-old Cameron Reilly at Shamrock Hill, Dunleer, Co Louth on May 26, 2018, but was found guilty by a unanimous jury verdict in December 2022 and received a mandatory life sentence (Proven)
Plea: Not guilty
Finding: Found guilty
Outcome: Found guilty; Mr Connolly, of Willistown, Drumcar had pleaded not guilty to the murder of 18-year-old Cameron Reilly at Shamrock Hill, Dunleer, Co Louth on May 26, 2018, but was found guilty by a unanimous jury verdict in December 2022 and received a mandatory life sentence.; He remanded Mr Connolly in custody to appear before the Central Criminal Court tomorrow morning, where it is expected that he will apply for bail.
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