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. 7025Murder · Co. Meath · 26 Feb 2010

Inquest returns unlawful killing verdict in Daniel McAnaspie case

Daniel McAnaspie, a 17-year-old boy, was murdered on 26 February 2010, and his badly decomposed remains were found in a drainage ditch in Co Meath by a farmer in May 2010. In 2017, two men were convicted in connection with his death, one of murder and the other of manslaughter. In May 2025, an inquest at Meath Coroner's Court returned a verdict of unlawful killing, and the six-person jury made 13 recommendations aimed at improving outcomes for the most at-risk children in care.

  1. Reported
  2. Arrested
  3. Charged
  4. In court
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Daniel McAnaspie, a 17-year-old boy, was murdered.
When
Daniel McAnaspie was murdered on 26 February 2010.
Where
His badly decomposed remains were found in a drainage ditch in Co Meath by a farmer in May 2010.
Other details
  • Daniel had been known to care services since birth and had 20 care placements in the last 15 months of his life.
  • Social workers involved in his care say the crisis in secure care for the most at-risk children has intensified since his murder.
  • Only 14 of 26 secure-care beds are operational due to staff shortages, the inquest heard.
  • Four young people are currently subject to a High Court Order awaiting a placement in special care.
In court
  • In 2017, two men were convicted in connection with his death, one of murder and the other of manslaughter.
  • The six-person inquest jury made 13 recommendations aimed at improving outcomes for the most at-risk children in care.
Investigation
In May 2025, an inquest at Meath Coroner's Court returned a verdict of unlawful killing.
7 statements extracted from the articles
  • whereHis badly decomposed remains were found in a drainage ditch in Co Meath by a farmer in May 2010. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenDaniel McAnaspie was 17 when he was murdered on 26 February 2010. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtIn 2017, two men were convicted in connection with his death, one of murder and the other of manslaughter. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe six-person jury made 13 recommendations aimed at improving outcomes for the most at-risk children in care. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherDaniel had been known to care services since birth. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherIn the last 15 months of his life, Daniel had 20 care placements. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThere are currently four young people subject to a High Court Order awaiting a placement in special care. (irishtimes.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 16 May2025
    Otheririshtimes.com, first report
    Daniel McAnaspie case: Crisis for at-risk children is worse than when teen was murdered in 2010, inquest hears

    Inquest verdict of unlawful killing returned; testimony on deteriorating secure care capacity, 20 care placements in final 15 months, and 13 jury recommendations for child protection reform.

    victim, Daniel McAnaspie, 17, male, irish (judged from name)Daniel McAnaspieconvicted, maleconvicted, male