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.

Case No. 4953Murder · Co. Dublin

Body of Sean McCarthy found in suitcase in Drumcondra apartment; Dean Caffrey murder trial hears

Dean Caffrey (38), of Beaucort, Achill Road, Drumcondra, Dublin 9, is on trial at the Central Criminal Court for the murder of Sean McCarthy (28). The prosecution alleges the killing took place between 2 and 7 August 2022, and the State Pathologist said McCarthy had died about four days before his body was found. Gardaí found the body in a suitcase in a wardrobe in Caffrey's Drumcondra apartment after Caffrey tipped them off, and the pathologist said the cause of death was a gunshot wound to the head. Caffrey has pleaded not guilty, and as of 15 October 2024 the trial was continuing before Mr Justice Paul McDermott and a jury.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court15 Oct
    3 reports
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Dean Caffrey has pleaded not guilty to the murder of Sean McCarthy.
Where
  • The body was found inside a partially zipped blue suitcase in a wardrobe in a Drumcondra apartment.
  • The apartment is Dean Caffrey's home at Beaucort, Achill Road, Drumcondra, Dublin 9.
When
  • The alleged murder took place between 2 and 7 August 2022.
  • The State Pathologist said McCarthy had died about four days before the body was found.
Cause
  • The prosecution says McCarthy demanded €5,000 on 2 August for missing heroin and that a drugs debt owed by Caffrey was transferred to McCarthy.
  • The pathologist said the cause of death was a gunshot wound to the head, with a bullet lodged in the back of the skull and a single entry wound above the left eyebrow.
Weapon
The prosecution says a firearm was discharged in the direction of McCarthy, causing the fatal wound, and the pathologist could not say how far away the gun was when fired.
Investigation
Gardaí found the body after Caffrey tipped them off about where it would be.
Other details
  • The body was wrapped in bubble wrap, plastic wrapping, a shopping bag and tape, with a black elastic strap held around the neck by carabiner clips.
  • Caffrey told gardaí the gun just went off in a struggle, and in another account said he acted in self-defence.
Charges
Caffrey has been charged with murder, and the prosecution says it will prove he intended to kill or cause serious injury.
In court
The trial is being heard at the Central Criminal Court before Mr Justice Paul McDermott and a jury.
35 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatDean Caffrey pleaded not guilty to the murder of Sean McCarthy. (dublinlive.ie)
  • whatThe body was covered in bubble wrap with a plastic bag around the head. (irishtimes.com)
  • whereThe body was found inside a partially zipped suitcase in a wardrobe. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whereThe body was found in a wardrobe in Caffrey's home. (dublinlive.ie)
  • whereThe body was found inside a suitcase in a wardrobe in a Drumcondra apartment. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenThe alleged murder took place on a date between 2 and 7 August 2022. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whenThe pathologist said McCarthy had died about four days before the body was found. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whenThe pathologist's evidence suggested McCarthy died about four days before being found. (dublinlive.ie)
  • whenThe alleged killing took place on a date between 2 and 7 August 2022. (dublinlive.ie)
  • whenThe body was consistent with death about four days before it was found. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenThe prosecution said Mr McCarthy demanded €5,000 on 2 August for missing heroin. (irishtimes.com)
  • causeThe pathologist said the cause of death was a gunshot wound to the head. (irishmirror.ie)
  • causeThe prosecution said Caffrey had agreed to store drugs and a firearm at his apartment. (irishmirror.ie)
  • causeThe prosecution said McCarthy demanded €5,000 for missing heroin. (irishmirror.ie)
  • causeThe cause of death was a gunshot wound to the head. (dublinlive.ie)
  • causeThe prosecution says Caffrey owed money for drugs and that the debt was transferred to McCarthy. (dublinlive.ie)
  • causeThe cause of death was a gunshot wound to the head with no other contributing factors. (irishtimes.com)
  • weaponA firearm was discharged in the direction of McCarthy, causing the fatal wound, according to the prosecution. (irishmirror.ie)
  • weaponA firearm was discharged in the direction of McCarthy, inflicting the fatal wound, according to the prosecution. (dublinlive.ie)
  • weaponMr McCarthy was described as holding a firearm before the shooting. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationGardaí found the body after the accused tipped them off. (irishmirror.ie, irishtimes.com)
  • investigationGardaí were tipped off by the accused about where the body would be found. (dublinlive.ie)
  • chargeDean Caffrey has pleaded not guilty to the murder of Sean McCarthy. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeThe prosecution intends to prove Caffrey intended to kill or cause serious injury and is guilty of murder. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe case is being heard at the Central Criminal Court. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtThe trial continues before Mr Justice Paul McDermott and a jury. (irishmirror.ie, irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe prosecution says it will prove Caffrey intended to kill or cause serious injury. (dublinlive.ie)
  • courtThe trial is before Mr Justice Paul McDermott and a jury of seven men and five women. (dublinlive.ie)
  • otherThe body was wrapped in bubble wrap, a plastic bag and tape. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherCaffrey told gardaí the gun just went off. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherThe pathologist could not say how far away the gun was when fired. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherThe body was in a partially zipped blue suitcase. (dublinlive.ie)
  • otherThe body was wrapped in plastic wrapping, bubble wrap and a shopping bag. (dublinlive.ie)
  • otherCaffrey told gardaí that the gun went off and said in another account that he acted in self-defence. (dublinlive.ie)
  • otherCaffrey told gardaí the gun just went off and said he acted in self-defence. (irishtimes.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 15 Oct2024
    In courtirishtimes.com, first report
    Body of Sean McCarthy discovered bound in bubble wrap inside suitcase in wardrobe of Dean Caffrey, murder trial hears

    Trial evidence from the State Pathologist and the prosecution's opening speech. No existing case matches this trial. The article gives the incident as between 2 and 7 August 2022, with no single date.

    victim, Sean McCarthy, 28, male, irish (judged from name)Sean McCarthyaccused, Dean Caffrey, 38, male, named, irish (judged from name)Dean Caffrey
  2. 15 Oct2024
    In courtdublinlive.ie, follow-up
    Murder trial hears body found in suitcase wrapped in bubble wrap and spar bag

    Reports the first day of Dean Caffrey's murder trial, including the State Pathologist's evidence, the prosecution's opening account and the defence position. Covers a case not previously listed.

    accused, Dean Caffrey, 38, male, named, irish (judged from name)Dean Caffreyvictim, Sean McCarthy, 28, male, irish (judged from name)Sean McCarthy
  3. 15 Oct2024
    In courtirishmirror.ie, follow-up
    Murder trial hears body found in suitcase wrapped in bubble wrap and spar bag

    Trial coverage at the Central Criminal Court: pathologist's evidence on the body and cause of death, the prosecution's account of a drugs debt dispute, and the accused's account to gardaí that the gun went off in a struggle.

    victim, Sean McCarthy, 28, male, irish (judged from name)Sean McCarthyaccused, Dean Caffrey, 38, male, named, irish (judged from name)Dean Caffrey