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. 3896Murder · Co. Dublin · 20 Jun 2024

Joseph Lawlor murder trial: Dublin man died of stab wound to neck severing artery and jugular

Joseph Lawlor, 39, of Finglas, Dublin 11, is on trial at the Central Criminal Court for the murder of Michael Ryan, 51, who was stabbed in the neck in a car park behind Lawlor's home on 20 June 2024. The State Pathologist testified that a single stab wound severed a branch of the carotid artery and the jugular vein, causing Ryan's death.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court5 Feb
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
12 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatThey had their first physical altercation at 8.30pm. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatFollowing a second altercation just after 9.30pm, Ryan left in his car but was arrested almost immediately for drink-driving. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe wound was 2.9cm in length and 5.8cm deep. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatA toxicology report showed Ryan had taken cocaine in the hours before his death. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatRyan also had benzodiazepines below therapeutic levels. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatRyan's blood alcohol level was at 1.5 times the legal limit for driving. (irishtimes.com)
  • causeMichael Ryan died from a single stab wound to the neck that severed a branch of the carotid artery and his jugular vein. (irishtimes.com)
  • causeThe wound entered at the base of the neck and severed the subclavian branch of the right carotid artery and the right jugular vein, causing bleeding into and partial collapse of the right lung. (irishtimes.com)
  • causeDeath would not have been instant, as it would take time for blood loss and lung collapse to cause cardiac arrest. (irishtimes.com)
  • causeThe pathologist concluded Ryan died due to the stab wound to his neck. (irishtimes.com)
  • weaponGardaí showed the pathologist a carving knife and bread knife found at the scene, either of which could have caused the wound pattern. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe trial continues before Judge Patrick McGrath and a jury at the Central Criminal Court. (irishtimes.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 5 Feb2026
    In courtirishtimes.com, follow-up
    Dublin man died of stab wound to neck severing artery and jugular, murder trial hears

    State Pathologist Dr Yvonne McCartney detailed the cause of death, wound characteristics, and toxicology findings at the Central Criminal Court trial.

    victim, Michael Ryan, 51, male, irish (judged from name)Michael Ryanaccused, Joseph Lawlor, 39, male, named, irish (judged from name)Joseph Lawlor