Case No. 0473Murder · Co. Cork · 31 Jan 2024
Daniel Hourigan jailed for life for murder of Michael Foley in Macroom, Co Cork
Michael Foley, 61, was found dead in a pool of blood at his home in Macroom, Co Cork, on 6 February 2024 after suffering 11 stab wounds, 19 incised and defensive wounds, and 34 blunt force trauma injuries. Daniel Hourigan, 33, originally from Farranree in Cork City, who had been staying with Foley after being offered shelter, was charged with the murder. A jury at the Central Criminal Court in Cork reached a unanimous guilty verdict on 20 July 2026 after 10 hours and 18 minutes of deliberation. On 30 July 2026, Judge Lankford sentenced Hourigan to mandatory life imprisonment.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Convicted20 Jul
- Sentenced30 Jul
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Michael Foley, 61, was found dead in a pool of blood in the kitchen and living area of his home, having suffered 11 stab wounds, 19 incised and defensive wounds, and 34 blunt force trauma injuries.
- Hourigan, 33, originally from Farranree in Cork City, had been staying with Foley for six weeks after Foley offered him temporary accommodation when he was homeless.
- Hourigan's then-partner Linda O'Flynn stayed overnight at Foley's home and left the next morning; Hourigan claimed O'Flynn killed Foley.
- Where
- The victim was found at his Housing First property at Annville, Barrett's Place, Macroom, Co Cork.
- When
- Foley was found dead by care worker Ciara Harmon on 6 February 2024, five days after Hourigan and his partner left the house on the morning of 1 February 2024.
- Investigation
- The murder weapon, a knife, was found in a bag by bus driver Paudie McKenna, discarded in a skip for metals at the bus depot in Cork, and later retrieved by Gardaí.
- In court
- The trial began at the Central Criminal Court in Cork City on 1 July 2026.
- A jury of six men and six women reached a unanimous guilty verdict on 20 July 2026 after 10 hours and 18 minutes of deliberation.
- Sentence
- On 30 July 2026, Judge Lankford sentenced Hourigan to mandatory life imprisonment.
- Other details
- Hourigan claimed he had asked Foley to be godfather to his unborn child just hours before his partner killed him.
22 statements extracted from the articles
- whatThe victim suffered 11 stab wounds and 19 slash wounds (irishtimes.com)
- whatDaniel Hourigan is 33 and originally from Farranree in Cork City (irishtimes.com)
- whatFoley suffered 11 stab wounds, 19 incised and defensive wounds, and 34 blunt force trauma injuries. (irishtimes.com)
- whatFoley encountered a then homeless and struggling Hourigan in Cork city and offered him temporary accommodation. (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe couple stayed overnight and left the next morning. (irishtimes.com)
- whatBus driver Paudie McKenna found the knife in the bag and it was discarded in a skip for metals at the bus depot in Cork. (irishtimes.com)
- whatFoley was found dead in a pool of his own blood in the kitchen/living area of his home five days after the couple left. (irishtimes.com)
- whatHourigan claimed he had asked Foley to be godfather to his unborn child just hours before his partner killed him. (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe victim was found in a pool of blood at his home in Macroom (irishtimes.com)
- whenFoley was found dead by care worker Ciara Harmon on 6 February 2024 (irishtimes.com)
- whenHourigan left the house in Macroom on the morning of 1 February 2024 when he knew Foley was still alive. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationThe murder weapon was retrieved by Garda members in the aftermath of the murder. (irishtimes.com)
- courtDaniel Hourigan was found guilty of murdering a 61-year-old man in Cork in 2024 (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe trial began at the Central Criminal Court in Cork City on 1 July 2026 (irishtimes.com)
- courtA jury of six men and six women deliberated for 10 hours and 18 minutes before reaching a unanimous guilty verdict (irishtimes.com)
- courtHourigan was remanded in custody for sentencing on 30 July 2026 (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceDaniel Hourigan, 33, was jailed for life for the murder of Michael Foley. (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceJudge Lankford sentenced Hourigan to mandatory life imprisonment. (irishtimes.com)
- otherHourigan stayed with Foley for six weeks in 2023 (irishtimes.com)
- otherHourigan and O'Flynn stayed overnight at Foley's home (irishtimes.com)
- otherHourigan claimed he saw Foley on the floor in a pool of blood (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe prosecuting barrister described Foley as a kind man who offered hospitality to people experiencing difficulty (irishtimes.com)
The reporting
newest first- 30 Jul2026Grandfather who provided shelter to man who stabbed him to death was repaid with ‘savagery’
Reports the sentencing of Daniel Hourigan to mandatory life imprisonment, including details of the crime, the murder weapon's recovery from a bus, victim impact statements from the Foley family, and the judge's comments on the betrayal of Foley's kindness.
victim, Michael Foley, 61, male, irish (judged from name)Michael Foleyconvicted, Daniel Hourigan, 33, male, named, irish (judged from name)Daniel Houriganconvicted, female, irish (judged from name) - 20 Jul2026Man found guilty of murdering 61-year-old who had offered him and partner shelter
Reports the unanimous guilty verdict after 10 hours and 18 minutes of jury deliberation; Hourigan was remanded in custody for sentencing on 30 July 2026. Details Hourigan's trial evidence blaming his then-partner Linda O'Flynn and his claim of no involvement.
victim, Michael Foley, 61, male, irish (judged from name)Michael Foleysuspect, Daniel Hourigan, 33, male, named, irish (judged from name)Daniel Hourigansuspect, female, irish (judged from name)