Thursday 29 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. 9324Murder · Co. Louth · 26 May 2018

Court of Appeal orders retrial of Aaron Connolly over 2018 murder of Cameron Reilly

Cameron Reilly, a teenager, was killed on 26 May 2018 at Shamrock Hill, Dunleer, County Louth. Aaron Connolly, a man, was found guilty of his murder by a unanimous jury verdict in December 2022 and received a mandatory life sentence. The Court of Appeal later quashed that conviction over trial judge remarks that may have been seen by the jury as mocking the defence case. In a report dated 4 June 2026, the court was described as having ordered a retrial, and Connolly was remanded in custody to appear before the Central Criminal Court on Friday morning.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court1 Jun
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Cameron Reilly, a teenager, was killed, and Aaron Connolly, a man, was convicted of his murder.
Where
The killing took place at Shamrock Hill, Dunleer, County Louth.
When
The incident happened on 26 May 2018.
Cause
  • The post-mortem found the cause of death was asphyxia due to external pressure on the neck.
  • The conviction was quashed because of remarks by the trial judge that may have been seen by the jury as mocking the defence case.
Investigation
The post-mortem examination was carried out on Cameron Reilly.
Sentence
Connolly was found guilty by unanimous jury verdict in December 2022 and received a mandatory life sentence.
Other details
A report dated 4 June 2026 says the conviction was quashed last month.
In court
  • The Court of Appeal ordered a retrial of Aaron Connolly, and Mr Justice John Edwards said he was disposed to direct it.
  • The DPP's counsel said the director's view was that a retrial should be ordered.
  • Connolly was remanded in custody to appear before the Central Criminal Court on Friday morning.
8 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatThe Court of Appeal ordered a retrial of Aaron Connolly. (thejournal.ie)
  • whereThe killing took place at Shamrock Hill, Dunleer, County Louth. (thejournal.ie)
  • causeThe conviction was quashed because of remarks by the trial judge that may have been seen by the jury as mocking the defence case. (thejournal.ie)
  • causeThe post-mortem found the cause of death was asphyxia due to external pressure on the neck. (thejournal.ie)
  • courtThe DPP's counsel said the director's view was that a retrial should be ordered. (thejournal.ie)
  • courtMr Justice John Edwards said he was disposed to direct the retrial. (thejournal.ie)
  • courtConnolly was remanded in custody to appear before the Central Criminal Court on Friday morning. (thejournal.ie)
  • sentenceConnolly was found guilty by a unanimous jury verdict in December 2022 and received a mandatory life sentence. (thejournal.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 1 Jun2026
    In courtthejournal.ie, follow-up
    Retrial for man whose conviction for 2018 murder of teenager Cameron Reilly was quashed

    Reports the Court of Appeal's order for a retrial after the conviction was quashed, the DPP's view, and Connolly's remand in custody. The earlier 2022 conviction and life sentence are background.

    accused, Aaron Connolly, 26, male, named, irish (judged from name)Aaron Connollyvictim, Cameron Reilly, 18, male, irish (judged from name)Cameron Reilly