David Brannock guilty of manslaughter after murder trial

This report is a localnews.ie summary based on public court reporting and records; sources are listed below.

David Brannock was cleared of murdering Jason Flannery but found guilty of his manslaughter at the Central Criminal Court. The proceedings were reported on 13 November 2014.

Brannock, of St Joseph's Way, Ballymun, had pleaded not guilty to all five charges. These comprised murdering Jason Flannery, causing serious harm to John O’Neill, and assault causing harm to Jade Byrne, Anthony Byrne and Claire Byrne.

The jury unanimously convicted him of causing serious harm to John O’Neill and assault causing harm to Anthony Byrne and Jade Byrne. It returned a 10-to-two majority verdict of manslaughter and acquitted him of assault causing harm to Claire Byrne.

The offences arose from events in the early hours of 13 September 2012 at St Joseph’s Way, Poppintree, Ballymun. Mr Justice Carroll Moran instructed the jury on the possible verdicts on the murder charge. The jury began deliberating on 11 November 2014.

The trial heard that an argument during Jade Byrne’s Junior Cert celebrations escalated. Jason Flannery and Anthony Byrne each took a crutch and chased Brannock, who stabbed them. The report said Jason Flannery died at the scene and John O’Neill suffered serious stab wounds. Jade Byrne and Anthony Byrne received stitches.

Brannock admitted causing all the knife wounds, but his lawyers asked the jury to acquit him on grounds of self-defence. The State said he had returned to the family home after being thrown out to lure its occupants outside and assault them.

Sentencing was listed for 2 December 2014.