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. 10438Murder · Co. Mayo

Judge discharges jury in trial of man accused of murdering John Casserley in Ballina

Liam O'Leary, a 33-year-old man, is accused of murdering John Casserley, a 58-year-old man described as his friend, at a Peter McVerry Trust housing unit on Tone Street, Ballina, Co Mayo, between 23 and 24 October 2024. Mr Casserley was stabbed 27 times, and Mr O'Leary pleaded not guilty to his murder at the Central Criminal Court. The trial began on 10 March 2026, but on 18 March Ms Justice Melanie Greally discharged the jury because of an unfortunate situation, and the trial cannot continue. The case will next be mentioned before the court on 15 April.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court18 Mar
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Liam O'Leary, 33, is accused of murdering John Casserley, 58.
Charges
Liam O'Leary pleaded not guilty to the murder of John Casserley.
Cause
John Casserley was stabbed 27 times.
Where
The killing took place at a Peter McVerry Trust housing unit on Tone Street, Ballina, Co Mayo.
When
The killing happened between 23 and 24 October 2024.
Other details
  • The article describes John Casserley as the friend of Liam O'Leary.
  • Prosecution senior counsel Dean Kelly told the jury the death occurred in circumstances of almost indescribable savagery.
  • The judge excused the jurors from further service for five years.
In court
  • The trial began at the Central Criminal Court on 10 March 2026.
  • On 18 March 2026 Ms Justice Melanie Greally discharged the jury because of an unfortunate situation, and the trial cannot continue.
  • The case will be mentioned again before the court on 15 April.
9 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatLiam O'Leary, 33, pleaded not guilty to the murder of John Casserley, 58. (rte.ie)
  • whatJohn Casserley was stabbed 27 times. (rte.ie)
  • whereThe killing happened at a Peter McVerry Trust housing unit on Tone Street, Ballina, Co Mayo. (rte.ie)
  • whenThe killing happened between 23 and 24 October 2024. (rte.ie)
  • courtThe trial began at the Central Criminal Court eight days before the jury was discharged. (rte.ie)
  • courtMs Justice Melanie Greally discharged the jury because of an unfortunate situation, and the trial cannot continue. (rte.ie)
  • courtThe case will be mentioned again before the court on 15 April. (rte.ie)
  • otherProsecution senior counsel Dean Kelly described the death as occurring in circumstances of almost indescribable savagery. (rte.ie)
  • otherThe judge excused the jurors from further service for five years. (rte.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 18 Mar2026
    In courtrte.ie, first report
    Judge discharges jury in Mayo murder trial

    Reports the discharge of the jury in the Central Criminal Court trial of Liam O'Leary, and the date the case will next be mentioned. The article gives the incident dates as a range, 23 to 24 October 2024, so incident_date is left empty.

    accused, Liam O'Leary, 33, male, named, irish (judged from name)Liam O'Learyvictim, John Casserley, 58, male, irish (judged from name)John Casserley