Courts / Dublin / Report
Hearing of man seeking to withdraw guilty to murder plea continues
Summary
In a Central Criminal Court hearing on 16 March 2016, a 28‑year‑old man, Kenneth Cummins, sought to withdraw his guilty plea for the murder of Thomas Horan, claiming he was suffering from panic attacks at the time. The court heard that Cummins had changed his plea to guilty during the trial, despite his barrister, Pauline Walley SC, arguing that the plea should have been taken later. Dr Paul O'Connell testified that Cummins had no recollection of the plea change the next morning and that panic attacks began on the first day of the trial. Dr Remy Farrell SC cross‑examined O'Connell, suggesting the panic‑attack claim was likely a lie and that Cummins lacked the sophistication to fabricate such a ruse. Both parties were to submit further arguments after Easter.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Hearing of man seeking to withdraw guilty to murder plea continues. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- January 6, 2014 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2016-03-16 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Outcome: His sister was handed down a life sentence for the murder of Thomas Horan a week later, by which time her brother was applying to vacate his guilty plea.
Places mentioned
Topics
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