Ireland James Berney, 53, dies after stabbing at home in Balgaddy, West Dublin
James 'Jake' Berney, a man aged 53, was stabbed multiple times at his home on Foxdene Drive, Balgaddy, West Dublin, at around 11pm on 25 June 2025, during a row with a man known to him, and died at Tallaght University Hospital. Gardaí launched a murder investigation and appealed for witnesses, with no arrests made for several months. On 8 January 2026, a man in his late teens was arrested and detained at a Garda station in the Dublin Metropolitan Region. Warren O'Toole, 19, was charged with murder and remanded in custody before Judge Brendan Toale at Dublin District Court on 10 January 2026, with the inquest adjourned and his next appearance set for Cloverhill District Court.
- Reported26 Jun
6 reports - Arrested8 Jan
- Charged25 Jun
- In court9 Jan
2 reports - Verdict
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- James 'Jake' Berney, 53, was stabbed multiple times at his home during a row with a man known to him and died at Tallaght University Hospital.
- Where
- The incident occurred at his home on Foxdene Drive, Balgaddy, West Dublin, Co. Dublin.
- When
- The incident occurred at around 11pm on Wednesday 25 June 2025.
- Cause
- Gardaí suspect the stabbing followed a row with a man known to the victim who often called at the property.
- Weapon
- The victim suffered multiple catastrophic stab wounds.
- Investigation
- The investigation was led by a Senior Investigating Officer at Lucan Garda Station, a postmortem was carried out, and the scene was examined by the Garda Technical Bureau.
- A man in his late teens was arrested on 8 January 2026 and detained at a Garda station in the Dublin Metropolitan Region.
- Charges
- Warren O'Toole, 19, was charged with murder on 10 January 2026.
- In court
- O'Toole appeared before Judge Brendan Toale at Dublin District Court on 10 January 2026, was remanded in custody, and a psychological assessment was sanctioned.
- The inquest into Berney's death was adjourned pending the judicial process, and his next appearance is set for Cloverhill District Court.
- Other details
- Berney, a painter and decorator, lived at the home with his father Andy, in his 80s; sources describe him as a father of two or a father of nine.
85 statements extracted from the articles
- whatA man in his 50s was injured in an incident at a residence in Foxdene Drive, Balgaddy. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatThe man was later pronounced dead at the hospital. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatHe was rushed to Tallaght Hospital where he was declared dead (irishmirror.ie)
- whatHe lived at the home with his father Andy who suffers with his heart (irishmirror.ie)
- whatA man in his 50s was found with catastrophic suspected knife wounds at a house in Foxdene Drive, Balgaddy. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatThe man was taken to Tallaght Hospital where he was later declared dead. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatPeople in the Foxdene area heard shouting inside the house late on Wednesday night (irishtimes.com)
- whatHe was treated at the scene by paramedics before being taken to Tallaght University Hospital (irishtimes.com)
- whatHe was pronounced dead at hospital (irishtimes.com)
- whatHe was stabbed several times (irishtimes.com)
- whatDetectives suspect a person known to the dead man who often called at the property fatally stabbed him during a row (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe stabbing followed a row with a man known to him. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatBerney was a father of nine. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatBerney lived with his father Andy. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatHe suffered multiple catastrophic stab wounds. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatJames Berney, 53, died in Tallaght Hospital. (dublinlive.ie)
- whatJames Berney suffered multiple catastrophic stab wounds. (dublinlive.ie)
- whatHe died from stab wounds in hospital. (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe death followed a late-night disturbance at his home. (irishtimes.com)
- whatA man in his late teens was arrested in relation to the death. (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe suspect was held at a Garda station in the city. (irishtimes.com)
- whatBerney lived with his elderly father and worked as a painter and decorator. (irishtimes.com)
- whatBerney was the father of two. (irishtimes.com)
- whatBerney suffered stab wounds to his body. (irishtimes.com)
- whatBerney was rushed by ambulance to Tallaght University Hospital where he died a short time later. (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe fatal incident occurred in Balgaddy, Co. Dublin. (garda.ie)
- whereThe man was rushed to Tallaght University Hospital. (irishmirror.ie)
- whereHe was found with catastrophic knife injuries at his home in Foxdene Drive, Balgaddy, West Dublin (irishmirror.ie)
- whereThe stabbing occurred at his home on Foxdene Drive, Balgaddy, Co Dublin (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe incident occurred at his home in Foxdene Drive, Balgaddy, West Dublin. (irishmirror.ie)
- whereThe stabbing occurred at his home in Foxdene Drive, Balgaddy, West Dublin. (irishmirror.ie)
- whereThe incident occurred at a residence in Foxdene Drive, Balgaddy, Co. Dublin. (dublinlive.ie)
- whereThe home is in the Foxdene area of Balgaddy, Co Dublin. (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe fatal incident occurred on 25 June 2025. (garda.ie)
- whenThe incident occurred shortly after 11pm on Wednesday 25 June 2025 (irishmirror.ie)
- whenThe stabbing occurred shortly before 11pm on Wednesday (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe incident occurred at around 11pm on Wednesday night, 25 June 2025. (irishmirror.ie)
- whenEmergency services were alerted at around 11pm on Wednesday night, 25 June 2025. (irishmirror.ie)
- whenEmergency services were alerted to his home at around 11pm on 25 June 2025. (dublinlive.ie)
- whenO'Toole was arrested on Thursday, 8 January 2026, and detained. (irishtimes.com)
- causeGardaí suspect the man was stabbed during the course of a row. (irishmirror.ie)
- causeGardaí believe the stabbing followed a row at the house with a man known to him. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationAn adult male was arrested on 8 January 2026 in connection with the investigation into the fatal incident. (garda.ie)
- investigationA postmortem examination will be carried out in due course. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationThe local coroner has been informed. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationThe scene remains preserved for examination by the Garda Technical Bureau. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationThe investigation is being led by a Senior Investigating Officer at Lucan Garda Station. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationGardaí are appealing for witnesses who were in the vicinity of Foxdene Drive between 11pm and 12am. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationGardaí are asking road users and pedestrians to provide dash-cam footage from the area. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationForensic officers were seen carrying multiple evidence bags out of the house (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationA post-mortem examination will be carried out and the local coroner has been informed (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationGardaí are appealing for witnesses and camera footage from the vicinity of Foxdene Drive between 11pm and 12am (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationGardaí are set to launch a murder investigation. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationGardaí are appealing for witnesses and dash-cam footage from Foxdene Drive between 11pm and 12am. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationThe house was sealed off as a crime scene and underwent extensive examination by the Garda Technical Bureau throughout Thursday (irishtimes.com)
- investigationThe investigation is led by a senior investigating officer at Lucan Garda station (irishtimes.com)
- investigationGardaí are appealing for anyone in the vicinity of Foxdene Drive between 11pm and 12am who observed any activity (irishtimes.com)
- investigationGardaí are seeking dashcam footage from motorists who were driving in the area (irishtimes.com)
- investigationA postmortem on the victim was being carried out by the State Pathologists Office on Thursday (irishtimes.com)
- investigationNo one has been arrested in connection with the death. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationThe investigation is set to be upgraded to a murder probe. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationA post-mortem examination will be carried out. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationForensic officers carried multiple evidence bags out of the house on Thursday morning. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationGardaí are appealing for anyone in the vicinity of Foxdene Drive between 11pm and 12am to come forward. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationThe death is set to be the subject of a murder probe. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationForensic officers were seen carrying multiple evidence bags out of the house on Thursday morning. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationA man in his late teens was arrested in connection with the death. (dublinlive.ie)
- investigationThe arrested man is detained at a Garda Station in the Dublin Metropolitan Region. (dublinlive.ie)
- investigationInvestigations into the incident are ongoing. (dublinlive.ie)
- investigationDet Sgt Sean Cosgrove from Ronanstown Garda station gave evidence of arrest, charge and caution. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeThe adult male has been charged in connection with the fatal incident. (garda.ie)
- courtThe accused is scheduled to appear at Dublin District Court, Criminal Courts of Justice, Court 2, Parkgate Street, on 10 January 2026 at 10:30 am. (garda.ie)
- courtThe District Court does not have jurisdiction to consider bail in murder cases, which require applications before the High Court. (irishtimes.com)
- courtO'Toole was held in custody and will appear at Cloverhill District Court on Thursday. (irishtimes.com)
- courtLegal aid was granted with no Garda objection. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe DPP must complete a book of evidence before O'Toole can be sent forward for trial to the Central Criminal Court. (irishtimes.com)
- courtAn inquest into Berney's death has been adjourned pending the judicial process. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe victim is described as a well-known painter and decorator. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherHe shared the home with his father, who was in his 80s, and only the two of them lived at the property (irishtimes.com)
- otherHe was a well-known local figure who earned income from house painting and odd jobs (irishtimes.com)
- otherCallers frequently arrived at the house, some of whom let themselves in (irishtimes.com)
- otherFriends set up a GoFundMe page to raise funds for his funeral. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherHe lived at the house with his father Andy. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherA neighbour said she saw him being wheeled out on a stretcher and saw the ambulance putting a black bag on it. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherA neighbour said he has nine kids. (irishmirror.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 10 Jan2026Man (19) charged with murder of man (53) in Dublin last year
First court appearance where O'Toole was formally charged with murder; remanded in custody; psychological assessment sanctioned by Judge Toale; inquest adjourned; next appearance at Cloverhill District Court.
victim, 53, male, irish (judged from name)suspect, 19, male, irish (judged from name) - 9 Jan2026Man due in court over death in Co Dublin last summer
First report of the court appearance; identifies the victim and the circumstances of the stabbing.
victim, 50s, male, irish (judged from name)suspect, late teens, male - 8 Jan2026Young man arrested in connection with death of West Dublin man last June
Gardaí confirmed the arrest of a man in his late teens in connection with the stabbing death of James Berney; investigations are ongoing.
victim, 53, male, irish (judged from name)suspect, late teens, male - 27 Jun2025Friends raise funds for funeral of stabbing victim James Berney
Initial report of the stabbing death; GoFundMe set up for funeral; neighbours pay tribute; Gardaí appeal for witnesses and camera footage from Foxdene Drive between 11pm and 12am.
victim, James 'Jake' Berney, 53, male, irish (judged from name)James 'Jake' Berneysuspect, male - 26 Jun2025Gardai probe if handyman stabbed in his home was killed by someone he knew
Adds that Berney was a father of nine and well-known local handyman, lived with his father Andy, no one arrested, investigation set to be upgraded to murder, forensic officers seized multiple evidence bags, and Gardaí appealed for witnesses and dash-cam footage.
victim, 53, male, irish (judged from name)suspect, male - 26 Jun2025Man who died from stab wounds after disturbance in Dublin home is named locally
Names the victim as James 'Jake' Berney, a father and grandfather in his 50s who lived with his father in his 80s. Describes him as a well-known local figure who earned income from house painting and odd jobs. Confirms Gardaí suspect a person known to him who often called at the property. Details the crime scene examination by the Garda Technical Bureau and the witness appeal for Foxdene Drive between 11pm and 12am.
victim, 50s, male, irish (judged from name)suspect - 26 Jun2025Man, 50s, killed in suspected stabbing incident in Dublin - live updates
Live blog provides the full Garda statement, identifies the victim as a well-known painter and decorator, and records the witness appeal for dash-cam footage from Foxdene Drive between 11pm and 12am.
victim, 50s, male - 26 Jun2025Dublin fatal stabbing victim named locally as gardai prepare murder probe
Names the victim locally as James 'Jake' Berney, a well-known painter and decorator in his 50s who lived with his father Andy. Provides neighbour quotes describing him as a 'grand young fella.' Confirms Gardaí are poised to launch a murder investigation with no arrests made, forensic officers at the scene, and the investigation led by a Senior Investigating Officer at Lucan Garda Station.
victim, 50s, male, irish (judged from name) - 26 Jun2025Man, 50s, dies following 'incident' at Dublin property
Initial Garda press release confirming the location, time, and hospital, noting the scene is preserved for the Garda Technical Bureau, a postmortem will be carried out, and the investigation is led by a Senior Investigating Officer at Lucan Garda Station.
victim, 50s, male - 25 Jun2025Court Appearance: Fatal Incident, Balgaddy, Co. Dublin, 25th June 2025
Garda press release confirming the charge and the court appearance date for the accused in the Balgaddy fatal incident.
accused, male