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. 5000Murder · Co. Dublin · 2 Aug 2022

Dean Caffrey trial opens over murder of Sean McCarthy in Drumcondra

Dean Caffrey, 38, of Drumcondra, Dublin, is on trial at the Central Criminal Court for the murder of Sean McCarthy, 28, who was fatally shot during a struggle over a firearm in early August 2022. Caffrey pleaded not guilty, claiming self-defence, and the prosecution says he intended to kill or cause serious injury.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court10 Oct
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
20 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatThe deceased had accused the accused of stealing heroin (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe accused said McCarthy had been holding a gun when he demanded €5,000 (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe accused said he secured the firearm during a struggle and discharged it, fatally wounding McCarthy (irishtimes.com)
  • whatGardaí found the deceased in a wardrobe covered by a suitcase and a black refuse sack secured with duct tape (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe accused said he had owed money for drugs to a third party but the debt was transferred to McCarthy (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe accused agreed to store drugs and a firearm at his apartment (irishtimes.com)
  • whatIn late July, McCarthy accused the accused of stealing heroin from one of the packages (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe accused said he was acting in self-defence (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe accused said he threw the gun in the Tolka river under a footbridge about 15 minutes from his home (irishtimes.com)
  • whereThe accused lives at Beaucourt, Achill Road, Drumcondra, Dublin 9 (irishtimes.com)
  • whenThe accused travelled to the Garda station two days after Sean McCarthy had been reported missing (irishtimes.com)
  • whenThe murder is alleged to have occurred between August 2nd and 7th, 2022 (irishtimes.com)
  • whenMcCarthy was reported missing on August 4th (irishtimes.com)
  • whenThe accused travelled to Ashbourne Garda station two days after the missing report (irishtimes.com)
  • whenOn August 2nd, McCarthy came to the accused's apartment and demanded €5,000 for the missing heroin (irishtimes.com)
  • causeThe deceased died during a struggle (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationThe accused was arrested (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationGardaí retrieved a black pistol with a magazine from the Tolka river near the described location (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeThe accused pleaded not guilty to the murder of Sean McCarthy (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeThe prosecution intends to prove the accused intended to kill or cause serious injury when he discharged the firearm (irishtimes.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 10 Oct2024
    In courtirishtimes.com, first report
    Man accused of murder told gardaí body could be found in his wardrobe, court hears

    Trial opened at the Central Criminal Court before Mr Justice Paul McDermott; prosecution opening statement by Cathleen Noctor SC for the DPP.

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