Wednesday 28 October 2026Compiled from published reports. Every claim links to its source.

Ireland Crime

Every case followed from the first report to the sentence, or to where the reporting stopped.

Each case starts with a news report. The line beside it follows the case through arrest, charge, court and sentence. A dashed step means no outlet reported it, though a later step shows it happened.

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1 case now at sentenced in Donegal, latest report first

  1. No. 0036

    Life sentence for Donegal man over Eddie Friel murder

    Murder · Donegal

    Victim: Eddie Friel, Irish man, 60 (judged from name)Eddie FrielSuspect: James Spendley, Irish man, 59 (judged from name)James Spendley

    Eddie Friel, a 60-year-old man, was killed in an unexplained and frenzied attack at his home in Killybegs, Donegal, on 12 April 2025. James Spendley, a 59-year-old man, was found asleep at his home with blood-stained hands and was arrested after multiple interviews by Gardaí. He pleaded guilty to murder shortly before his trial date. On 19 October 2026, Mr Justice Paul McDermott at the Central Criminal Court sentenced Spendley to life in prison with a mandatory term.

    Sentenced19 Oct

    1 report from rte.ie