Family of shooting victim left in wardrobe 'baffled' at how killer continued with life 'as normal'

At the Central Criminal Court, the sister of Sean McCarthy addressed the court during the sentencing hearing of Dean Caffrey, who was convicted of her brother's manslaughter. Nicole McCarthy stated she remained "baffled" at how Caffrey continued his daily life normally after killing her brother in his Drumcondra apartment on 2 August 2022. McCarthy's body was discovered wrapped in plastic inside a suitcase in Caffrey's wardrobe after a five-day search. The court heard that Caffrey, aged 38, of Beaucort, Achill Road, Drumcondra, Dublin 9, pleaded not guilty to murder. A jury found him guilty of manslaughter by majority verdict in October 2024. The prosecution submitted that the case attracted a headline sentence of between ten and fifteen years. Caffrey's legal team highlighted his expressions of remorse and educational achievements whilst in custody. Mr Justice Paul McDermott will deliver sentence on 31 March.