Courts / Dublin / Report

Son "provoked" by "domineering and controlling" father, murder trial told

Date
2020-01-21

Stage
Trial

Primary locality
Dublin

County
Dublin

Summary

In a Central Criminal Court hearing, defence counsel Vincent Heneghan SC argued that 48‑year‑old Mark Tims was provoked by his 74‑year‑old father, Anthony 'Tony' Tims, and should be convicted of manslaughter rather than murder. Heneghan cited a history of the father's controlling, domineering behaviour, including verbal abuse and threats to call the guards, and described an incident on 13 July 2018 when the father returned from a pub, insulted Mark, and threatened him. Mark allegedly responded by striking his father with a teacup, then kicking him, causing fatal injuries. Heneghan maintained that Mark's loss of self‑control was sudden and that the father's conduct provoked him. The prosecution, represented by Michael Delaney SC, countered that Mark's actions were deliberate and that the father's behaviour did not justify a manslaughter verdict. The jury was instructed to consider the evidence and decide whether provocation applies. The case remains at the jury deliberation stage.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Son "provoked" by "domineering and controlling" father, murder trial told. Charges or matters: murder; manslaughter. Procedural stage: trial

When:

July 13, 2018 Hearing Or Sentence
2020-01-21 Publication

Why: He explained that provocation arises if something said or done by the deceased caused the accused to have a "sudden and unforeseen onset of passion" or "loss of control" that meant he was no longer master of his own mind. CNI source report