Sunday 1 November 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.

Case No. 6651Murder · Co. Dublin

Appeal dismissed in Tallaght murder case

Philip Dunbar, a man who was 17 at the time, stabbed Adam 'Floater' Muldoon, a 23-year-old homeless man with a disability, 183 times with a fold-up knife in an unprovoked attack at Butler Park, Tallaght, Dublin 24, on 22 or 23 June 2018. Dunbar was convicted of murder by a unanimous jury at the Central Criminal Court and sentenced to life imprisonment. In March 2023 he appealed, arguing diminished responsibility due to chronic drug use and that CCTV footage breached his constitutional rights. In January 2024 the Court of Appeal dismissed the appeal, ruling that CCTV from public places is admissible evidence and that no of Dunbar's rights were breached.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court29 Mar
    3 reports
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Philip Dunbar, then 17, stabbed Adam 'Floater' Muldoon, 23, 183 times in an unprovoked attack.
Where
The killing took place at Butler Park, Jobstown, Tallaght, Dublin 24.
When
The murder happened on 22 or 23 June 2018.
Weapon
A fold-up knife.
Investigation
CCTV footage was obtained from private homes, local businesses, a Dublin bus, and public places including footpaths, roads, a park, and the Square Shopping Centre in Tallaght.
In court
  • Dunbar was found guilty of murder by a unanimous jury at the Central Criminal Court before Mr Justice Paul McDermott.
  • In January 2024 the Court of Appeal dismissed Dunbar's appeal, ruling that CCTV footage from public places is admissible evidence and that no of his rights were breached.
Sentence
Dunbar was sentenced to life imprisonment.
Other details
  • Muldoon was a homeless man with a disability who was supported by the Glenshane community.
  • Two expert psychiatric witnesses said Dunbar did not have an underlying mental disorder at the time of the murder.
  • Dunbar had been chronically using cannabis and benzodiazepine with alcohol to block out thoughts of his mother's death.
41 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatPhilip Dunbar was sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of Adam Muldoon at Butler Park, Tallaght, Dublin 24, on 22 or 23 June 2018 (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatDunbar was 17 when he stabbed Muldoon 183 times in an unprovoked attack with a fold-up knife (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatAfter the murder Dunbar went to a friend's house and boasted he had 'slaughtered Floater' and 'put him out of his misery' (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatTwo expert psychiatric witnesses said Dunbar did not have an underlying mental disorder when he carried out the murder (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatDunbar had been chronically using cannabis and benzodiazepine with alcohol to block out thoughts of his mother's death (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatDunbar was being cared for by his grandmother at the time of the murder (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatAdam Muldoon was a homeless person living in Tallaght before he died (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatThe community in Glenshane supported Muldoon by feeding him and giving him clothes (irishmirror.ie)
  • what23 minutes after entering the park, Dunbar was seen back in Glenshane Drive on his own (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatDunbar held Muldoon's Zimmer frame over his head as he walked towards his grandmother's house (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatDunbar's friend testified he arrived still carrying the bloody knife and boasted about the murder (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatDunbar told his friend he knew Muldoon was dead the second he got him in the neck but kept going, changing hands to keep stabbing (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatDunbar told his friend 'Now I know what it's like to be a killer. I know how it feels to be a killer.' (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatDunbar told gardaí he knew he killed Muldoon but could not remember stabbing him (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatDunbar's grandmother said he suffered extreme trauma as a child and was subject to violence (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatDunbar turned to drugs after his mother's death, which was itself due to drugs (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatPhilip Dunbar murdered a homeless man with a disability by stabbing him 183 times. (thejournal.ie, irishtimes.com)
  • whereThe killing took place at Butler Park, Jobstown, Tallaght, Dublin 24. (thejournal.ie)
  • whereThe murder happened at Butler Park, Jobstown, Tallaght, Dublin 24. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenAt 23.50 a camera on a house in Glenshane Drive caught Dunbar leading Muldoon into the park, helping him over a low wall (irishmirror.ie)
  • whenThe killing happened on 22 or 23 June 2018. (thejournal.ie)
  • whenThe murder happened on June 22 or 23, 2018. (irishtimes.com)
  • causeThe stabbing was an unprovoked attack. (thejournal.ie)
  • causeDunbar, who was 17 at the time, stabbed the victim in an unprovoked attack. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationCCTV footage was obtained from private homes, local businesses and a Dublin bus. (thejournal.ie, irishtimes.com)
  • courtDunbar was found guilty of murder by a unanimous jury at the Central Criminal Court before Mr Justice Paul McDermott (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtThe defence applied at the Court of Appeal to allow a diminished responsibility defence based on chronic drug use, but the trial judge had refused (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtThe appeal continues before Mr Justice George Birmingham presiding, Mr Justice John Edwards and Ms Justice Isobel Kennedy (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtThe Court of Appeal ruled that CCTV footage can be used as evidence in trials. (thejournal.ie)
  • courtThe court said the challenge to the admissibility of the CCTV evidence was not made out. (thejournal.ie)
  • courtThe judge described the challenge to the CCTV evidence as misconceived. (thejournal.ie)
  • courtThe court dismissed the grounds of appeal. (thejournal.ie)
  • courtThe court did not believe any of Dunbar's rights were breached. (thejournal.ie)
  • courtThe CCTV evidence was highly relevant and could be used to advance an investigation and identify a suspect. (thejournal.ie)
  • courtDunbar was convicted by a jury of murdering Adam "Floater" Muldoon, aged 23. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtDunbar argued at trial and in the Court of Appeal that the use of CCTV breached his rights under the Constitution and EU rights charters. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe judge said the court did not believe any of Dunbar's rights were breached. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe judge said the challenge to the admissibility of the CCTV evidence was not made out. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe court had no hesitation in dismissing the grounds of appeal. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherDunbar was convicted by a jury of murder. (thejournal.ie)
  • otherThe footage was taken from public places, including footpaths, roads, a public park, a bus and the Square Shopping Centre in Tallaght. (thejournal.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 30 Jan2024
    In courtirishtimes.com, first report
    Court of Appeal dismisses ‘misconceived’ CCTV arguments

    Court of Appeal judgment dismissing Dunbar's appeal on the admissibility of CCTV evidence. Dunbar was convicted by a jury. The article also comments on other trials, including the Puska trial, which is not part of this case.

    convicted, Philip Dunbar, named, irish (judged from name)Philip Dunbarvictim, 23, irish (judged from name)
  2. 30 Jan2024
    In courtthejournal.ie, follow-up
    Court of Appeal issues landmark ruling that CCTV footage can be used as evidence in trials

    Adds the Court of Appeal's judgment rejecting Dunbar's appeal grounds. The court ruled that CCTV footage taken from public places can be used as evidence, and that the challenge to its admissibility was misconceived.

    victim, Adam 'Floater' Muldoon, 23, male, irish (judged from name)Adam 'Floater' Muldoonconvicted, Philip Dunbar, 17, male, named, irish (judged from name)Philip Dunbar
  3. 29 Mar2023
    In courtirishmirror.ie, follow-up
    Man jailed for murder of homeless man he stabbed 183 times appeals conviction

    Court of Appeal hearing where the defence argues diminished responsibility due to chronic drug use; provides detailed account of the murder evening including CCTV footage, the friend's testimony about Dunbar's boasts, psychiatric evidence, and the judge's comments on what constitutes a mental disorder.

    victim, Adam 'Floater' Muldoon, 23, male, irish (judged from name)Adam 'Floater' Muldoonconvicted, Philip Dunbar, 22, male, named, irish (judged from name)Philip Dunbar