Courts / Offaly / Report

Jury must consider murder accused's state of mind

Date
2016-05-09

Stage
Trial

Primary locality
Clara

County
Offaly

Summary

In a Central Criminal Court hearing on May 9, 2016, Justice Patrick McCarthy instructed a jury of five women and six men to consider the state of mind of Ross Allen, 25, accused of murdering 47‑year‑old Christy Daly on December 29, 2013, at Bog Lane, Kilbride, Clara, Co Offaly. Allen pleaded not guilty. The judge explained that the jury could convict him of murder, find him not guilty of murder but guilty of manslaughter, or acquit him. He emphasized that the prosecution's case hinges on Allen's intent, based largely on statements he made while in custody in February 2014, where he said he expected to "give Mr Daly a few clouts" and "give him a beating." McCarthy warned that if Allen intended only to cause less than serious injury but the victim died, the charge would be manslaughter.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Jury must consider murder accused's state of mind. Charges or matters: the murder of 47-year-old Christy Daly on December 29, 2013 at Bog Lane, Kilbride, Clara, Co Offaly. Procedural stage: trial

When:

December 29, 2013 Hearing Or Sentence
February 2014 Other
2016-05-09 Publication

Why: The judge also explained that evidence gleaned from garda interviews is not always reliable and the jury should use their common sense when considering what Mr Allen said while in custody. CNI source report