Aaron Connolly granted bail after Court of Appeal quashes Cameron Reilly murder conviction
Cameron Reilly, an 18-year-old Dundalk Institute of Technology student, was killed on the night of 25/26 May 2018 in a field on the outskirts of Dunleer, Co Louth, where a group of about 15 young people had gathered. Aaron Connolly, 26, of Willistown, Drumcar, Co Louth, was charged with the murder and found guilty by a unanimous jury in December 2022, receiving a mandatory life sentence. The Court of Appeal quashed the conviction in June 2026, finding that the trial judge's charge to the jury may have been perceived as disparaging of the defence case, and ordered a retrial on 4 June. Connolly, who had spent three years in jail, was granted bail on strict conditions at the Central Criminal Court on 5 June, and the matter was adjourned to 24 June when he will be given a date for his second trial.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In court4 Jun
2 reports - Verdict
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Cameron Reilly, an 18-year-old Dundalk Institute of Technology student, was killed on the night of 25/26 May 2018.
- Where
- The incident occurred in a field on the outskirts of Dunleer, Co Louth, at Shamrock Hill.
- When
- The killing took place on the night of 25/26 May 2018.
- Cause
- The cause of death was asphyxia, with no other contributing factors.
- Investigation
- A group of about 15 young people gathered in the field, alcohol and cannabis were consumed, and the group went to a local takeaway shortly after midnight.
- Charges
- Aaron Connolly, 26, of Willistown, Drumcar, Co Louth, was charged with the murder of Reilly.
- Other details
- During the 2022 trial, Connolly made admissions through his lawyers that he performed oral sex on Reilly on the night of his death and said that when he left, Reilly was still alive and standing up.
- Connolly spent three years in jail before his conviction was quashed.
- In court
- Connolly was found guilty by a unanimous jury verdict in December 2022 and received a mandatory life sentence.
- The Court of Appeal quashed the conviction, finding that the trial judge's charge to the jury lacked balance and may have been perceived as disparaging of the defence case.
- On 4 June 2026, the Court of Appeal ordered a retrial, with counsel for the DPP supporting the retrial.
- On 5 June 2026, Judge Paul McDermott at the Central Criminal Court remanded Connolly on bail with strict conditions, including living with his parents and not leaving the house unaccompanied.
- The matter was adjourned to 24 June 2026, when Connolly will be given a date for his second trial.
27 statements extracted from the articles
- whatCameron Reilly was a Dundalk Institute of Technology student. (irishtimes.com)
- whatConnolly made admissions through his lawyers that he performed oral sex on Reilly on the night he was killed. (irishtimes.com)
- whereA group of about 15 young people gathered in a field on the outskirts of Dunleer on the night of May 25th, 2018. (irishtimes.com)
- whereConnolly is from Willistown, Drumcar, Co Louth. (irishtimes.com)
- whereA group of about 15 young people gathered in a field on the outskirts of Dunleer on the night of 25 May 2018. (irishtimes.com)
- whereConnolly is from Willistown, Drumcar. (irishtimes.com)
- causeThere were no other contributing factors to the death. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeConnolly pleaded not guilty to the murder of 18-year-old Reilly at Shamrock Hill, Dunleer, Co Louth on May 26th, 2018. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe Court of Appeal ordered the retrial of Aaron Connolly. (irishtimes.com)
- courtJudge John Edwards said he was disposed to direct the retrial. (irishtimes.com)
- courtConnolly was remanded in custody to appear before the Central Criminal Court on Friday. (irishtimes.com)
- courtConnolly was found guilty by a unanimous jury verdict in December 2022. (irishtimes.com)
- courtMichael Bowman SC represented Connolly in launching the appeal against the conviction. (irishtimes.com)
- courtAaron Connolly was granted bail at the Central Criminal Court after his conviction was quashed. (irishtimes.com)
- courtJudge Paul McDermott remanded Connolly on bail on strict conditions including living with his parents and not leaving the house unaccompanied. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe matter was adjourned to 24 June when Connolly will be given a date for his second trial. (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceConnolly received a mandatory life sentence. (irishtimes.com)
- otherConnolly spent three years in jail before his conviction was quashed. (irishtimes.com)
- otherConnolly is now aged 26. (irishtimes.com)
- otherConnolly initially denied that anything sexual happened between him and Reilly on May 25th/26th, 2018. (irishtimes.com)
- otherOn the seventh day of the trial, Connolly made admissions through his lawyers that he performed oral sex on Cameron Reilly on the night he was killed. (irishtimes.com)
- otherConnolly said that when he left, Reilly was still alive and standing up. (irishtimes.com)
- otherFriends of Reilly gave evidence that he had confided in them that he was bisexual shortly before his death. (irishtimes.com)
- otherA witness said he and Connolly had sexual relations on numerous occasions when they were teenagers. (irishtimes.com)
- otherReilly was a Dundalk Institute of Technology student. (irishtimes.com)
- otherAlcohol and cannabis were consumed by some of those present. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe group went to a local takeaway to get food shortly after midnight. (irishtimes.com)
The reporting
newest first- 5 Jun2026Aaron Connolly granted bail after quashing of conviction for Cameron Reilly murder
Reports the quashing of Connolly's conviction by the Court of Appeal, his remand on bail at the Central Criminal Court, and the adjournment to 24 June for a retrial date. Provides background on the original incident, trial, and the appeal court's reasoning.
victim, Cameron Reilly, 18, male, irish (judged from name)Cameron Reillyaccused, Aaron Connolly, 26, male, named, irish (judged from name)Aaron Connolly - 4 Jun2026Retrial ordered for Aaron Connolly after Cameron Reilly murder conviction quashed
Provides detailed account of the Court of Appeal's reasoning for ordering the retrial, including the trial judge's allegedly disparaging remarks, and extensive detail about the original 2022 trial evidence including Connolly's admissions of oral sex, Reilly's bisexuality, the group gathering in a field, and the cause of death as asphyxia.
victim, Cameron Reilly, 18, male, irish (judged from name)Cameron Reillysuspect, Aaron Connolly, 26, male, named, irish (judged from name)Aaron Connolly