Ionut Danca given six years with final six months suspended for tourist’s manslaughter

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

Ionut Danca received a six-year prison sentence, with the final six months suspended, at the Central Criminal Court for the manslaughter of Canadian tourist Neno Dolmajian.

Danca, 25, pleaded guilty to unlawfully killing Dolmajian, 42, on O’Connell Street Upper in Dublin. Dolmajian was assaulted on June 23rd, 2024, and died in hospital nine days later.

The court heard that Danca delivered a running kick to Dolmajian’s head after the tourist had been pushed to the ground. Mr Justice Paul McDermott said Dolmajian had been drinking and might have been verbally aggressive, but was outnumbered. The judge noted that Danca initially tried to calm matters and restrain Madalin Ghiuzan. He said the victim was defenceless when kicked and there was no justification for the attack.

Danca’s barrister said his client’s behaviour changed after Dolmajian either struck him or insulted his family. He said Danca accepted wrongdoing and had written an apology to the family. In mitigation, the judge took account of the guilty plea, Danca’s lack of previous convictions and his record of hard work.

Ghiuzan, 24, admitted assault causing harm on Cathal Brugha Street. He received a 12-month sentence, with the remainder suspended after four and a half months already spent in prison. His barrister said pathology evidence showed he had no role in causing the death. Ghiuzan also had no previous convictions.