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. 11211Manslaughter · Co. Dublin · 23 Jun 2024

Ionut Danca jailed for five and a half years over killing of Canadian tourist in Dublin

Ionut Danca, a 25-year-old Romanian man, kicked Canadian tourist Neno Dolmajian, aged 42, in the head on O'Connell Street Upper in Dublin city centre on 23 June 2024, and Dolmajian died nine days later. Danca was charged with murder, and Madalin Ghiuzan, aged 24, was charged with manslaughter. The DPP later stopped pursuing the murder charge against Danca and the manslaughter charge against Ghiuzan, Danca pleaded guilty to manslaughter, and Ghiuzan pleaded guilty to assault causing harm. At the Central Criminal Court, Danca was sentenced to six years with the last six months suspended, meaning five and a half years in jail, and Ghiuzan received a 12-month sentence suspended in full.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced1 Feb
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Ionut Danca, a Romanian man aged 25, is said to have killed Canadian tourist Neno Dolmajian, aged 42, in Dublin city centre.
Where
The attack took place on O'Connell Street Upper in Dublin.
When
Dolmajian was assaulted on 23 June 2024 and died nine days later.
Cause
Dolmajian was pushed to the ground before Danca delivered a full force running kick to his head.
Charges
  • Danca was charged with murder but pleaded guilty to manslaughter.
  • Madalin Ghiuzan, aged 24, was charged with manslaughter, but the DPP is no longer pursuing that charge.
  • The DPP is no longer pursuing the murder charge against Danca.
  • Ghiuzan pleaded guilty to assaulting Dolmajian, causing him harm, at Cathal Brugha Street, Dublin 1.
In court
Danca was sentenced at the Central Criminal Court in Dublin.
Sentence
  • The judge set a headline sentence of eight years for Danca.
  • Danca was sentenced to six years with the last six months suspended for two years, meaning five and a half years in jail.
  • Ghiuzan was given a 12-month sentence, suspended in full for 12 months.
Other details
  • Danca had no previous convictions.
  • Dolmajian's sister gave a victim impact statement at the sentencing hearing.
14 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatIonut Danca, a Romanian national, killed Canadian tourist Neno Dolmajian in Dublin city centre. (thejournal.ie)
  • whereThe killing happened at O'Connell Street Upper. (thejournal.ie)
  • whenNeno Dolmajian was assaulted on 23 June 2024 and died nine days later. (thejournal.ie)
  • causeDanca delivered a full force running kick to Dolmajian's head. (thejournal.ie)
  • causeDolmajian was pushed to the ground before Danca kicked him. (thejournal.ie)
  • chargeDanca pleaded guilty to manslaughter. (thejournal.ie)
  • chargeThe murder charge against Danca and the manslaughter charge against Ghiuzan are no longer being pursued by the Director of Public Prosecutions. (thejournal.ie)
  • chargeGhiuzan pleaded guilty to assaulting Dolmajian, causing him harm at Cathal Brugha Street, Dublin 1. (thejournal.ie)
  • courtDanca was sentenced at the Central Criminal Court in Dublin. (thejournal.ie)
  • sentenceDanca was jailed for five and a half years. (thejournal.ie)
  • sentenceThe judge set a headline sentence of eight years for Danca. (thejournal.ie)
  • sentenceDanca was sentenced to six years, with the last six months suspended for two years. (thejournal.ie)
  • sentenceGhiuzan was given a 12-month sentence, suspended in full for 12 months. (thejournal.ie)
  • otherDanca had no previous convictions. (thejournal.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 1 Feb2026
    Sentencedthejournal.ie, first report
    Man who killed Canadian tourist in Dublin city centre by kicking him in the head jailed

    Sentencing hearing at the Central Criminal Court. Danca, who had been charged with murder, pleaded guilty to manslaughter and was sentenced to six years with the last six months suspended. Ghiuzan's 12-month sentence was suspended in full. The article adds the sentences, the judge's remarks and the victim impact statement from the sister.

    convicted, Ionut Danca, 25, male, Romanian, named, non-irishIonut Dancaconvicted, Madalin Ghiuzan, 24, namedMadalin Ghiuzanvictim, Neno Dolmajian, 42, male, Canadian, non-irishNeno Dolmajian