Courts / Dublin / Report
Gun muzzle "pressed against" Kenneth O'Brien's head, trial hears
Summary
In a murder trial, Paul Wells Snr, aged 50, admitted shooting and dismembering Kenneth O'Brien, aged 33, at his home in Barnamore Park, Dublin, on 15 or 16 January 2016. Wells claimed a scuffle over a gun led to the shooting, after which he panicked and used a chainsaw to dismember the body. Deputy State Pathologist Dr Michael Curtis testified that the dismemberment was performed with a high‑speed mechanical saw, and that a bullet entered the back of O'Brien's head, causing catastrophic brain injury and instant death. The bullet's entry wound was described as a contact entry with the muzzle pressed against the head. Witnesses from O'Brien's family described his recent return from Australia and his private nature. The trial entered the legal argument stage and will continue before the jury tomorrow.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Gun muzzle "pressed against" Kenneth O'Brien's head, trial hears. Charges or matters: murdering the 33-year-old at his home in Barnamore Park on 15th or 16th January, 2016. Procedural stage: trial
When:
- 16th January Other
- Christmas Incident
- new year Incident
- 2018-10-30 Publication
Why: " He explained that all the products of the discharge had gone into the head, including the gas, which had caused the skull to balloon outwards. CNI source report
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: murdering the 33-year-old at his home in Barnamore Park on 15th or 16th January, 2016 (Alleged Or Contested)
Accused
Charges: murdering the 33-year-old at his home in Barnamore Park on 15th or 16th January, 2016 (Alleged Or Contested)
Places mentioned
- Central Criminal Court
- Barnamore Park
- Barnamore Park
Topics
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