Ireland Daniel Blanaru on trial for murder of partner Larisa Serban in Rathmore, Co Meath
Larisa Serban, a 26-year-old woman, was stabbed to death in her home in Rathmore, Co Meath, on 12 August 2022. Daniel Blanaru, a 37-year-old man from Rathmore, Athboy, Co Meath, her partner, has pleaded not guilty to her murder. The trial is ongoing at the Central Criminal Court before Ms Justice Eileen Creedon with an enlarged jury of eleven men and four women. In February 2025, the accused's sister Simona Terezia Ciurar and the victim's father Ronet Serban gave evidence via an interpreter, with the father telling the jury the accused had threatened to kill his daughter and that she would hide the fact he was beating her.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In court19 Feb
2 reports - Verdict
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Larisa Serban, 26, was stabbed to death in her own home.
- Where
- Rathmore, Athboy, Co Meath.
- When
- 12 August 2022.
- Cause
- Stabbed to death.
- Weapon
- Knife.
- Charges
- Daniel Blanaru, 37, from Rathmore, Athboy, Co Meath, pleaded not guilty to the murder of Larisa Serban, 26.
- In court
- The trial is at the Central Criminal Court before Ms Justice Eileen Creedon with an enlarged jury of eleven men and four women; DPP counsel is Eilis Brennan SC and defence counsel is Giollaíosa Ó Lideadha SC.
- Investigation
- The accused's sister Simona Terezia Ciurar, the victim's father Ronet Serban, and sister Sarah Serban gave evidence at trial via an interpreter.
- Other details
- The accused's sister told gardaí he said he arrived home to find the victim with another man who ran away before they started arguing, and the father told the jury the accused had threatened to kill his daughter and that she would hide the fact he was beating her.
12 statements extracted from the articles
- whatThe sister gave evidence via a Romanian interpreter. (irishtimes.com)
- whatDaniel Blanaru, 37, from Rathmore, Athboy, Co Meath, pleaded not guilty to the murder of his partner Larisa Serban, 26, at Rathmore on 12 August 2022. (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe sister confirmed her brother knocked on her door between 3 and 4am on 12 August 2022 and was agitated, upset and shaking. (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe sister told gardaí the accused said he arrived home to find Ms Serban with another man who ran away before they started arguing. (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe victim was stabbed to death in her own home. (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe sister said the accused would not allow the victim to have friends. (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe murder occurred on or about 12 August 2022. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeDaniel Blanaru, 37, from Rathmore, Athboy, Co Meath, pleaded not guilty to the murder of Larisa Serban, 26. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe trial is before Ms Justice Eileen Creedon with an enlarged jury of eleven men and four women. (irishtimes.com)
- courtSenior counsel for the DPP is Eilis Brennan and the defence barrister is Giollaíosa Ó Lideadha SC. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe trial is taking place at the Central Criminal Court. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe defence counsel is Giollaíosa Ó Lideadha. (irishtimes.com)
The reporting
newest first- 25 Feb2025Woman stabbed to death hid fact partner was beating her, father tells murder trial
Father Ronet Serban and sister Sarah Serban gave evidence at the Central Criminal Court murder trial, describing the accused's threats to kill the victim and her tendency to hide his violence.
victim, Larisa Serban, 26, female, non-irish (judged from name)Larisa Serbanaccused, Daniel Blanaru, 37, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Daniel Blanaru - 19 Feb2025Sister says she cannot remember murder accused saying: ‘I killed her’
Reports testimony from the accused's sister, Simona Terezia Ciurar, who told the jury she does not remember her brother saying 'I killed her' or 'he put a knife' in the victim, and that she was crying and very stressed when she made her original statements to gardaí. The DPP's senior counsel cross-examined her on two statements made on 12 and 16 August 2022. The trial continues before Ms Justice Eileen Creedon with an enlarged jury.
victim, Larisa Serban, 26, female, non-irish (judged from name)Larisa Serbanaccused, Daniel Blanaru, 37, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Daniel Blanaru