Sean Kavanagh found not guilty of murder by direction of trial judge

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

Sean Kavanagh was found not guilty of the murder of Dylan McCarthy by direction of Ms Justice Caroline Biggs at the Central Criminal Court on 29 January 2025. The proceedings were reported on 29 January 2025.

The judge told the jury that the Director of Public Prosecutions had indicated no opposition to an application by Kavanagh’s legal team for the finding. She directed the jury to record that Kavanagh was not guilty of murder, but said he would remain within the case until the jury gave its verdict.

Kavanagh and his co-accused, Calvin Dunne, had pleaded not guilty to murdering Dylan McCarthy on or about 22 August 2022. Both also pleaded not guilty to violent disorder on 21 August 2022 at Dublin Road, Monasterevin, Co Kildare. Kavanagh had pleaded not guilty to assault causing harm to Eamon McCarthy at the same location on that date.

Kavanagh was subsequently rearraigned and pleaded guilty to assault causing harm to Eamon McCarthy. His violent disorder charge was taken into consideration.

At the trial’s opening, prosecution counsel Seoirse Ó Dúnlaing SC said the State’s case was that Dylan McCarthy received punches from Kavanagh and Dunne before Dunne kicked him in the head. Kavanagh told gardaí he believed his only interaction with Dylan McCarthy was attempting to stop him assaulting a friend. The jury heard that both accused claimed self-defence.

State pathologist Dr Heidi Okkers told the jury it was not possible to determine whether a punch or kick caused the fatal injury. The trial continued before the judge and jury on 30 January 2025.