Mark Tims denies murder and admits manslaughter as trial continues

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

Mark Tims denied murdering his father, Anthony Tims, and admitted manslaughter at the Central Criminal Court. The proceedings were reported on 14 January 2020.

Anthony Tims died on his 74th birthday, 13 July 2018, after an assault at the home he shared with his son in Rowlagh Green, Clondalkin, Dublin 22. He was taken to Tallaght University Hospital and pronounced dead shortly before 10pm.

Prosecuting counsel Michael Delaney said Mark Tims punched his father, struck him with a mug and repeatedly kicked him. He said an account that Mark returned to the kitchen and kicked his father again before leaving might be disputed.

Witness Elizabeth McDonagh said Mark put his father in a headlock, struck him and kicked him. Under cross-examination by defence counsel Vincent Heneghan, she agreed that Mark had earlier joked about his father having ‘cremated’ his breakfast. She agreed Anthony had called Mark a disappointment, said he wished he had never been born, wanted him out of the house and threatened to call gardaí.

A post-mortem examination found head trauma and multiple rib fractures that caused his lungs to collapse. Severe heart disease was a complicating factor. The trial was continuing before Mr Justice Tony Hunt and a jury.