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. 1331Murder · Co. Cork · 15 Mar 2024

Dylan Scannell sentenced to life for murder of Ian Baitson in Cobh

Dylan Scannell, 31, a tattoo artist from Cobh, Co Cork, was sentenced to life imprisonment on 11 July 2025 for the murder of Ian Baitson, 33, a chef and father of two. On the evening of 15 March 2024, Scannell struck Baitson behind the left knee with a samurai sword in the Eurospar car park on Newtown Road, Cobh, over a disputed drug debt. Baitson was rushed to hospital for emergency surgery but died four days later. Scannell, who admitted manslaughter but denied murder, was found guilty by a jury after a weeklong trial in June 2025. The victim's 14-year-old daughter told the court that Scannell deserved every second of his life sentence.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced11 Jul
    2 reports
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Scannell struck Baitson behind the left knee with a samurai sword in the Eurospar car park on Newtown Road, Cobh, on the evening of 15 March 2024, and Baitson died four days later after emergency surgery.
Where
The attack took place in the Eurospar car park on Newtown Road, Cobh, Co Cork.
When
The attack occurred on the evening of 15 March 2024.
Cause
The attack was over a disputed drug debt, which Scannell claimed amounted to €2,500 while Baitson insisted he owed only a couple of hundred euro.
Weapon
Scannell used a samurai sword that cut through muscle, artery and bone.
Investigation
After the attack, Scannell drove to an area near the harbour in Cobh and threw the sword into the water.
Charges
Scannell admitted manslaughter but denied murder.
In court
  • Scannell was found guilty by a unanimous jury after a weeklong trial in June 2025.
  • Scannell was sentenced at the Central Criminal Court in Cork on 11 July 2025, presided over by Ms Justice Eileen Creedon.
Sentence
Scannell was sentenced to life imprisonment.
Other details
  • Baitson was a 33-year-old chef and father of two who had left drug taking behind him; Scannell was a 31-year-old tattoo artist and father of two.
  • Baitson had €185 in his pocket on the night of the attack, which he planned to give to Scannell, though one source reports the amount as €1,500.
39 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatScannell is a tattoo artist (irishtimes.com)
  • whatScannell struck Baitson behind the left knee with the sword (irishtimes.com)
  • whatBaitson was rushed to hospital for emergency surgery (irishtimes.com)
  • whatBaitson died four days after the attack (irishtimes.com)
  • whatBaitson was a father of two (irishtimes.com)
  • whatScannell is a father of two (irishtimes.com)
  • whatScannell had previously texted Baitson threatening to chop off his fingers over the drug debt (irishtimes.com)
  • whatScannell claimed the drug debt had at one point amounted to €2,500 (irishtimes.com)
  • whatBaitson replied insisting he only owed a couple of hundred euro (irishtimes.com)
  • whatBaitson had €185 in his pocket on the night of the attack (irishtimes.com)
  • whatBaitson planned to give the €185 to Scannell but was attacked before he could (irishtimes.com)
  • whatScannell was found guilty of the murder of 33-year-old Ian Baitson. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatThe sword cut through muscle, artery and bone. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatBaitson was rushed to hospital for emergency surgery but died four days later. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatBaitson had left drug taking behind him prior to his death. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatScannell had previously sent Baitson a text threatening to chop off his fingers over a drug debt he claimed amounted to €2,500. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatBaitson had texted back insisting he only owed a couple of hundred euro. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatOn the night of the attack, Baitson had €185 in his pocket which he planned to give to Scannell. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatScannell emerged from a car in the car park and attacked Baitson with a sword. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatFollowing the attack, Scannell drove to an area near the harbour in Cobh and threw the sword into the water. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatThe victim's 14-year-old daughter told Scannell he deserved every second of his life sentence. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatSarah Geasley, who had a young son with Ian, said he was a warm and kind man and a loving father. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatSarah Geasley's son celebrated his third birthday four days before the attack. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatRichard Baitson delivered a victim impact statement on behalf of him and his mother Helen. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatBaitson had taken up running and intended to participate in the Cork City Marathon. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whereThe attack took place in the Eurospar car park on Newtown Road, Cobh (irishtimes.com)
  • whereThe attack took place at the Eurospar car park on Newtown Road in Cobh, Co Cork. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whenThe attack occurred on 15 March 2024 (irishtimes.com)
  • whenThe attack occurred on the evening of 15 March 2024. (irishmirror.ie)
  • causeBaitson owed Scannell a small drug debt (irishtimes.com)
  • causeBaitson was killed over a small drugs debt. (irishmirror.ie)
  • weaponScannell struck Baitson from behind the left knee with a samurai sword. (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeScannell admitted manslaughter but denied murder. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtScannell was sentenced at the Central Criminal Court in Cork on Friday (irishtimes.com)
  • courtScannell was found guilty by a jury after a weeklong trial the previous month (irishtimes.com)
  • courtScannell's counsel Tom Creed SC read his remorse letter to the court (irishtimes.com)
  • courtMs Justice Eileen Creedon presided over the sentencing (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe judge praised the eloquence of the victim impact statements (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe jury recorded a unanimous guilty verdict. (irishmirror.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 14 Jul2025
    Sentencedirishmirror.ie, follow-up
    Girl, 14, whose dad was murdered in samurai sword attack blasts killer

    Sentencing hearing with victim impact statements from the victim's 14-year-old daughter, former partner Sarah Geasley, and brother Richard Baitson; Scannell expressed remorse in a handwritten letter.

    victim, Ian Baitson, 33, male, irish (judged from name)Ian Baitsonconvicted, Dylan Scannell, 31, male, named, irish (judged from name)Dylan Scannellvictim, 14, femalevictim, Sarah Geasley, female, irish (judged from name)Sarah Geasleyvictim, Richard Baitson, male, irish (judged from name)Richard Baitson
  2. 11 Jul2025
    Sentencedirishtimes.com, follow-up
    Tattoo artist sentenced to life imprisonment for murder of man with samurai sword

    Provides details of the sentencing hearing: victim impact statement from Sarah Geasley (Baitson's former partner), Scannell's remorse letter read by counsel Tom Creed SC, the disputed drug debt amount (€2,500 claimed by Scannell vs a couple of hundred euro per Baitson), Baitson having €1,500 in his pocket, and remarks by Ms Justice Eileen Creedon.

    victim, Ian Baitson, 33, male, irish (judged from name)Ian Baitsonconvicted, Dylan Scannell, 31, male, named, irish (judged from name)Dylan Scannell