Courts / Dublin / Report
Twins who had never before offended get six years for killing mother's partner 'out of the clear blue sky'
Summary
Two 21-year-old twin brothers, Eric and Sean Farrell, who had no prior criminal history, were sentenced to six years in prison for the manslaughter of Nicolae Diaconu (45) during a domestic incident. The court heard that the twins stabbed Diaconu eight times and struck him with a blunt object after he became abusive towards their mother, leading her to seek refuge. Mr Justice Tony Hunt noted that the incident occurred out of the blue and that the twins acted under a mistaken belief they were under threat. The judge imposed a seven-year and six-month sentence with the final 18 months suspended for the rest of their lives. The twins had previously pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter. CCTV footage showed them being amicable with Diaconu before the incident. The court considered mitigating factors such as their youth, remorse, and lack of previous convictions. The judge emphasized the level of violence and the use of knives and a hammer as aggravating factors.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Twins who had never before offended get six years for killing mother's partner 'out of the clear blue sky'. Charges or matters: murder but guilty to the manslaughter of Mr Diaconu (45) at their Tallaght home on December 11, 2023. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- December 11, 2023 Hearing Or Sentence
- Christmas Other
- 2026-06-15 Publication
Why: The judge noted that Sean may have played a lesser role in the infliction of injuries,' but, he said, they are equally culpable because they acted on a joint enterprise basis. CNI source report
Case subjects
Convicted Person
Charges: murder but guilty to the manslaughter of Mr Diaconu (45) at their Tallaght home on December 11, 2023 (Alleged Or Contested)
Plea: Not guilty
Outcome: A pair of 21-year-old twin brothers, who had never offended before they killed their mother's partner during a domestic incident that flared up out of the clear blue sky', have been jailed for six years and will live the rest of their lives under a suspended 18-month term when released from prison. Mr Justice Hunt imposed a sentence of seven years and six months with the final 18 months suspended for the rest of the defendants' lives.
Places mentioned
- Central Criminal Court
- Castle Park
- Tallaght
- Castle Park
- Castle Park
- Castle Park
Topics
Related court reports
- Pair jailed for preying on innocent shooting victim in 'vicious extortion racket'
- 'Fun loving' drug dealer jailed over possession of €90k in crime cash
- 'I'm doing my job as a mum': court hears exchange between mother and accused son
- Separated husband spared conviction despite alleged threat to throw former wife out window
- Serial criminal set car ablaze after release from Melanie McCarthy-McNamara manslaughter sentence
- Drug dealer further sentenced for 'crudely' laundering own crime cash
If a fact, identity, locality or legal outcome needs review, email the newsroom with this report's details prefilled.
Email a correction request