Case No. 1607Unlawful killing, arson, burglary · Co. Dublin · 21 Aug 2018
Dean Boland appeals conviction for unlawful killing of Ohari Viera in Terenure arson
Dean Boland, 37, is appealing his conviction for the unlawful killing of Ohari Viera, who died after re-entering a burning apartment building in Terenure, Dublin, in August 2018. Boland argues that Viera's decision to go back into the building broke the chain of causation, while the State maintains causation is a jury matter. Judgment was reserved by the Court of Appeal.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In court26 May
- Verdict
- Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet
Key facts
consolidated from all reports16 statements extracted from the articles
- whatBoland broke into a downstairs apartment where Viera was living and stole a rucksack (irishtimes.com)
- whatBoland set fire to the property after the break-in (irishtimes.com)
- whatViera was living in an upstairs apartment with two other men (irishtimes.com)
- whatAll three men managed to evacuate the building safely (irishtimes.com)
- whatViera went back into the house for an unknown reason and never returned (irishtimes.com)
- whatOthers who tried to enter the building after Viera were prevented as it became engulfed in smoke and flames (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe incident occurred at Oaklands Terrace, Terenure (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe incident occurred on 21 August 2018 (irishtimes.com)
- chargeBoland was convicted of unlawful killing, damaging property by arson, and burglary (irishtimes.com)
- courtBoland was convicted in December 2022 by a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court jury (irishtimes.com)
- courtIn the original trial, the defence applied to withdraw the case from the jury on causation grounds, which was refused by trial judge Elma Sheahan (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe State argued fire was the substantial cause of death and there was very little time between Viera fleeing and re-entering (irishtimes.com)
- courtMs Justice Isobel Kennedy presiding at the three-judge court reserved judgment (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceBoland was sentenced to eight years in prison (irishtimes.com)
- otherViera was originally from Angola (irishtimes.com)
- otherBoland had pleaded not guilty to the offences (irishtimes.com)
The reporting
newest first- 26 May2025Arsonist not to blame for death of man who went back into apartment building, Court of Appeal told
Court of Appeal heard Boland's argument that Viera's re-entry into the burning building broke the chain of causation; the State argued causation is inherently a jury matter; Ms Justice Isobel Kennedy reserved judgment.
victim, Ohari Viera, male, non-irish (judged from name)Ohari Vieraconvicted, Dean Boland, 37, male, named, irish (judged from name)Dean Boland