Courts / Sligo / Report

Man on trial for murder of Sligo pensioner

Date
2014-03-25
Stage
Sentence
Primary locality
Sligo
County
Sligo

Summary

Simon McGinley, 30, of Connaughton Road, Sligo, is on trial at the Central Criminal Court for the death of Eugene Gillespie, 67. McGinley pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to the manslaughter of Mr Gillespie in September 2012. He also pleaded guilty to the false imprisonment of Mr Gillespie and trespass to commit robbery at his home in Old Market Street on September 19, 2012. The State did not accept the manslaughter plea, and a jury was sworn in for the trial. Prosecutors alleged that Mr Gillespie was subjected to violence, found unconscious with his hands tied, and died of bronchial pneumonia resulting from blunt force trauma. Evidence included an anonymous 999 call reporting a tied-up man, which led gardai to the wrong address. The court heard that Mr Gillespie was last seen on September 19 and found by relatives on September 21. The trial is ongoing before Mr Justice Garrett Sheehan.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Man on trial for murder of Sligo pensioner. Charges or matters: murder but guilty to the manslaughter of Eugene Gillespie (67) in Co; the false imprisonment of Mr Gillespie and trespass to commit robbery at his home in Old Market Street on September 19, 2012. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

Case subjects

Simon McGinley

Defendant

Charges: murder but guilty to the manslaughter of Eugene Gillespie (67) in Co; the false imprisonment of Mr Gillespie and trespass to commit robbery at his home in Old Market Street on September 19, 2012 (Alleged Or Contested)

Plea: Not guilty

Places mentioned

Residence
Secondary Mention
Address Area
  • Old Market Street
Court Venue
  • The Central Criminal Court
Facility
  • Sligo General Hospital
Garda Station
  • he ran to the garda station

Topics

Stage Sentence Theft Violent Crime

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