Sunday 1 November 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. 22917Assault (manslaughter) · Co. Waterford · 18 Mar 2018

Inquest records narrative verdict in Dungarvan assault death of Richard O'Leary

An inquest at Cork Coroner's Court recorded a narrative verdict into the death of Richard O'Leary, 36, who was punched in the face on TF Meagher Street, Dungarvan, in the early hours of 18 March 2018, fell backwards, sustained a traumatic brain injury and died six days later. A man in his twenties who had pleaded guilty to his manslaughter subsequently drowned before sentencing.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court13 Jan
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
20 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatRichard O'Leary was 36 years old at the time of his death. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatO'Leary sustained a traumatic brain injury as a result of the assault. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatA verbal dispute broke out between men and O'Leary intervened and punched a man, who then punched O'Leary causing him to fall backwards. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatThe assailant pushed O'Leary twice in quick succession causing him to fall. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatThe assailant punched O'Leary in the head while he was on the ground. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatO'Leary was transferred to Cork University Hospital where operations were carried out. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatO'Leary underwent a decompressive craniotomy at Cork University Hospital. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whereThe assault took place on TF Meagher Street in Dungarvan, Co Waterford. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whenThe assault occurred in the early hours of 18 March 2018. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whenO'Leary was taken by ambulance to South Tipperary General Hospital at 1:06am on 18 March 2018. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whenO'Leary was pronounced dead at 4:57am on 23 March 2018 from a sudden cardiac arrest. (irishmirror.ie)
  • causeThe primary cause of death was traumatic brain injury as a result of an assault. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationA postmortem was carried out by Assistant State Pathologist Dr Margaret Bolster. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationCCTV footage of the assault was obtained from local businesses in the area. (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeA man in his twenties was arrested and pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of Richard O'Leary. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtThe inquest was held at Cork Coroner's Court. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtThe Coroner said a verdict of unlawful killing was not open to the jury because the assailant could not be identified. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtThe narrative verdict stated O'Leary was punched in the face, fell backwards and hit his head hard on the ground. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherThe assailant accidentally drowned before he was sentenced. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherRichard O'Leary had travelled back to Waterford from Gosport in the UK for a visit with family. (irishmirror.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 13 Jan2023
    In courtirishmirror.ie, first report
    Man gave gardaí thumbs up hours before tragic assault and death six days later

    Reports the findings of the inquest into the death of Richard O'Leary, including witness testimony, CCTV evidence, the narrative verdict and the fact that the convicted assailant drowned before sentencing.

    victim, Richard O'Leary, 36, male, irish (judged from name)Richard O'Learyconvicted, male