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. 7778Murder · Co. Dublin · 27 Nov 2019

Defence says builder Michael Mulvey's death not caused by assault

Builder Michael Mulvey, aged 55, was assaulted around November 14, 2019, in Dublin, and died on November 27, 2019. Brothers Ian Connaghan and Daniel Connaghan have been charged with his murder, and they pleaded not guilty. At the Central Criminal Court on Tuesday, July 25, 2023, defence barristers made closing statements arguing the assault did not cause the death, and the judge gave directions to the jury. The trial resumes on Wednesday with the judge continuing those directions.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court25 Jul
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Builder Michael Mulvey, aged 55, died, and the State alleges he was severely beaten by Ian and Daniel Connaghan.
When
The assault is said to have taken place around November 14, 2019, and Mr Mulvey died on November 27, 2019.
Where
Sources differ on the location: one says Ian Connaghan attacked Mr Mulvey near The Halfway House Pub, while the State says the beating happened at a roundabout on the Navan Road in Dublin.
Other details
  • Ian Connaghan said he was crossing the Navan Road when Mr Mulvey broke the lights.
  • The defence says Mr Mulvey returned to the pub after the assault and spent the night drinking.
  • The defence says the prosecution evidence falls significantly short, and that the murder evidence is hopelessly infirm.
Cause
  • The defence says the death was not the natural and probable conclusion of the assault and that this is implausible.
  • The defence pathologist concluded the cause of death was a heart attack.
  • The defence says smoking, drinking and stress were factors in Mr Mulvey's life before his death.
Charges
Ian Connaghan and Daniel Connaghan were charged with the murder of Mr Mulvey and pleaded not guilty.
In court
  • The trial is being heard at the Central Criminal Court before a jury of seven men and five women.
  • Garnet Orange SC, for Ian Connaghan, and Garret Baker, for Daniel Connaghan, made closing statements to the jury on Tuesday.
  • The judge told the jury it must establish the dominant cause of death.
  • The trial resumes on Wednesday, with the judge continuing directions to the jury.
11 statements extracted from the articles
  • whereIan Connaghan attacked Mr Mulvey near The Halfway House Pub. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenIan Connaghan was crossing the Navan Road in Dublin on November 14th, 2019 when he claimed Mr Mulvey broke the lights. (irishtimes.com)
  • causeThe State's case is that Mr Mulvey was given a severe beating at a roundabout by Ian and Daniel Connaghan. (irishtimes.com)
  • causeThe defence said the death was not the natural and probable conclusion of the assault. (irishtimes.com)
  • causeThe defence said smoking, drinking and stress were factors in Mr Mulvey's life leading up to his death. (irishtimes.com)
  • causeThe defence pathologist concluded that the cause of death was a heart attack. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeThe brothers pleaded not guilty to the murder of Mr Mulvey on November 27th, 2019. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtGarnet Orange SC, for Ian Connaghan, made a closing statement to the jury on Tuesday. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe judge told the jury it must establish the dominant cause of death. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe trial resumes on Wednesday, with the judge continuing directions to a jury of seven men and five women. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe defence said the prosecution evidence falls significantly short. (irishtimes.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 25 Jul2023
    In courtirishtimes.com, first report
    ‘Implausible’ to suggest death of builder Michael Mulvey caused by assault two weeks earlier

    Covers the defence closing speech and the judge's directions to the jury at the Central Criminal Court trial, including the pathologists' disputed causes of death.

    victim, Michael Mulvey, 55, male, irish (judged from name)Michael Mulveyaccused, Ian Connaghan, 34, male, named, irish (judged from name)Ian Connaghanaccused, Daniel Connaghan, 43, male, named, irish (judged from name)Daniel Connaghan