Aaron Connolly to be retried for murder of Cameron Reilly in Co Louth
18-year-old DKIT student Cameron Reilly was killed at Shamrock Hill, Dunleer, Co Louth on 26 May 2018 after being part of a group of around 15 young people who gathered in a field on the outskirts of the town. man Aaron Connolly, 26, from Willistown, Drumcar, was charged with his murder. Connolly was found guilty by a jury in December 2022 and sentenced to life, but the Court of Appeal quashed the conviction in May 2026, finding the original judge's remarks may have been perceived as disparaging of the defence. A retrial was set for 23 November 2026 at the Central Criminal Court, and Connolly was remanded on bail on strict conditions including living with his parents.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In court24 Jun
- Verdict
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Cameron Reilly, an 18-year-old DKIT student, was killed at Shamrock Hill, Dunleer, Co Louth on 26 May 2018.
- Reilly was part of a group of around 15 young people who gathered in a field on the outskirts of Dunleer on the night of 25 May 2018.
- Charges
- Aaron Connolly, 26, from Willistown, Drumcar, was charged with the murder of Cameron Reilly.
- In court
- Connolly was found guilty by a jury verdict in December 2022 before Mr Justice Tony Hunt.
- The Court of Appeal quashed Connolly's conviction in May 2026, finding the original judge's remarks may have been perceived as disparaging of the defence and that the jury could have perceived the judge was personally convinced of guilt.
- The Court of Appeal ordered a retrial on 4 June 2026.
- Mr Justice Paul McDermott set 23 November 2026 as the retrial date at the Central Criminal Court, with a case management date of 24 July 2026.
- Sentence
- Connolly received the mandatory life sentence.
- Other details
- Connolly spent three years in prison before his conviction was quashed.
- Connolly was remanded on bail on strict conditions including living with his parents and not leaving the house unaccompanied.
16 statements extracted from the articles
- whatCameron Reilly was a DKIT student. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatReilly was part of a group of around 15 young people who gathered in a field on the outskirts of the town on the night of 25 May 2018. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatConnolly pleaded not guilty to the murder of 18-year-old Cameron Reilly at Shamrock Hill, Dunleer, Co Louth on 26 May 2018. (irishmirror.ie)
- whereConnolly is from Willistown, Drumcar. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtThe Court of Appeal quashed Connolly's conviction in May 2026 and ordered a retrial on the murder charge. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtMr Justice Paul McDermott set 23 November as the retrial date at the Central Criminal Court. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtA case management date of 24 July 2026 was set. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtThe first trial lasted three weeks and the retrial is expected to go into a fourth week. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtThe Court of Appeal ordered the retrial on 4 June 2026. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtThe appeal court found the trial judge's remarks may have been perceived as disparaging of the defence and advocacy for the prosecution. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtConnolly was remanded on bail on strict conditions including living with his parents and not leaving the house unaccompanied. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtConnolly was found guilty by a jury verdict in December 2022. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtThe original trial judge was Mr Justice Tony Hunt. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtThe appeal court found the judge's charge contained comments of such stridency and emphasis that there was a real possibility the jury could have perceived he was personally convinced of the accused's guilt. (irishmirror.ie)
- sentenceConnolly received the mandatory life sentence. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherConnolly spent three years in prison before his conviction was quashed. (irishmirror.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 24 Jun2026Aaron Connolly, whose conviction for murdering teen was quashed, will be retried
Retrial date of 23 November 2026 set by Mr Justice Paul McDermott; case management date of 24 July 2026 also set. Connolly remanded on bail on strict conditions including living with his parents and not leaving the house unaccompanied.
victim, Cameron Reilly, 18, male, irish (judged from name)Cameron Reillyaccused, Aaron Connolly, 26, male, named, irish (judged from name)Aaron Connolly