Courts / Dublin / Report
Closing speeches in trial of man accused of murdering former rugby captain
Summary
In the Central Criminal Court, a jury heard closing speeches in the trial of 34‑year‑old Gary Walsh, charged with murdering 62‑year‑old Cathal Sweeney. Walsh, a father‑of‑one, pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter on 8 February 2014. Prosecutor Patrick McCarthy SC argued that Walsh's intent to cause serious injury, evidenced by multiple punches that fractured Sweeney's nose and cheekbone, warranted a murder conviction. Defence counsel Brendan Grehan SC highlighted Sweeney's pre‑existing medical conditions, including warfarin use and liver problems, suggesting that these contributed to the fatal bleeding and that the injuries alone may not have been the natural and probable cause of death. Grehan urged the jury to find Walsh not guilty of murder but guilty of manslaughter, noting the possibility of neglect and the lack of immediate medical intervention. Judge Michael Moriarty instructed the jury of twelve, with proceedings to continue the following morning.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Closing speeches in trial of man accused of murdering former rugby captain. Charges or matters: murdering Cathal Sweeney in Ashdale Gardens, Terenure in Dublin; murder, but guilty to manslaughter on 8th February 2014. Procedural stage: trial
When:
- 8th February 2014 Incident
- 2017-05-02 Publication
Why: "If there's a result that is not the natural and probable consequence, if punches to the face cause a broken nose and cheekbone, and that person dies because of their own condition, because of neglect, because no-one's keeping eye out for the way he's lying, then that is not a natural and probable consequence of his actions," he said. CNI source report
Case subjects
Accused
Charges: murdering Cathal Sweeney in Ashdale Gardens, Terenure in Dublin; murder, but guilty to manslaughter on 8th February 2014 (Alleged Or Contested)
Plea: Not guilty
Places mentioned
Topics
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