Murder trial of Seth Whelan opens with prosecution outlining allegations

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

The trial of Seth Whelan, 36, opened at the Central Criminal Court on Thursday. He has pleaded not guilty to murdering his father, Michael Whelan, 64, and to damaging a neighbour’s Ring doorbell camera. The prosecution alleges that Michael Whelan died from blunt force trauma and stab wounds at the flat they shared in Herberton Park, Dublin 8.

Prosecuting counsel told the jury that Gardaí found Michael Whelan’s body on February 27, 2024, after a neighbour requested a welfare check. Counsel said the prosecution would present evidence about the injuries, CCTV footage and messages sent during the period before the body was discovered. The trial is continuing before Judge Caroline Biggs; these are allegations presented at its opening.