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. 6939Murder · Co. Wicklow · 10 Feb 2022

Jury deliberating in trial of woman accused of murdering Juris Viktorovs in Co Wicklow

Nicola Brennan, a 33-year-old woman of no fixed abode, is on trial at the Central Criminal Court for the murder of Juris Viktorovs, a 36-year-old man originally from Latvia, who was allegedly killed at Shillelagh, Ballyconnell, Co Wicklow, on February 10th, 2022, after a day of heavy drinking. Brennan has pleaded not guilty to the murder. The prosecution relies on an eye-witness, the victim's partner, who said she saw the accused inflict the fatal stab wound, along with forensic evidence and what it alleges were lies told by the accused, while the defence says that witness cannot be relied on. The jury of eight men and four women began deliberating on Thursday, spent nearly two hours on the case, and will resume on Friday, with no verdict yet reached.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court14 Dec
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Nicola Brennan, a 33-year-old woman, is accused of murdering Juris Viktorovs, a 36-year-old man originally from Latvia.
Where
The killing is alleged to have happened at Shillelagh, Ballyconnell, Co Wicklow.
When
The killing is alleged to have happened on February 10th, 2022.
Cause
  • The deceased suffered a single stab wound to the chest.
  • The deceased and the accused had been drinking heavily before the killing.
Other details
  • The accused told gardaí she had previously had a fling with the deceased, but denied killing him in a fit of jealousy and rage.
  • Defence counsel urged the jury to find the accused not guilty because the prosecution's primary witness could not be relied on.
Investigation
  • The prosecution relied on the evidence of an eye-witness, the deceased's partner, who said she saw the accused inflict the fatal injury.
  • The prosecution said forensic evidence, including the deceased's blood on the cuff of the accused's pyjama top, supported the eye-witness account, and that the accused told lies.
Charges
Nicola Brennan has pleaded not guilty to the murder of Juris Viktorovs.
In court
  • The judge told the jury that murder requires proof beyond reasonable doubt that the accused inflicted the fatal wound and intended to kill or cause serious harm.
  • The jury of eight men and four women began considering its verdict and spent nearly two hours deliberating on Thursday.
  • The jury will resume deliberations at the Central Criminal Court on Friday.
12 statements extracted from the articles
  • whereThe killing is alleged to have happened at Shillelagh, Ballyconnell, Co Wicklow. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenThe killing is alleged to have happened on February 10th, 2022. (irishtimes.com)
  • causeThe deceased suffered a single stab wound to the chest. (irishtimes.com)
  • causeThe deceased and the accused had been drinking heavily before the killing. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationThe prosecution relied on the evidence of an eye-witness and on what it alleged were lies told by the accused. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationThe prosecution said forensic evidence, including the deceased's blood on the cuff of the accused's pyjama top, supported the eye-witness account. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeNicola Brennan has pleaded not guilty to the murder of Juris Viktorovs. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe jury began considering its verdict in the trial. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe jury of eight men and four women spent nearly two hours deliberating on Thursday and will resume on Friday. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe judge told the jury that murder requires proof beyond reasonable doubt that the accused inflicted the fatal wound and intended to kill or cause serious harm. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherDefence counsel urged the jury to find the accused not guilty because the prosecution's primary witness could not be relied on. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe accused told gardaí she had previously had a fling with the deceased but denied killing him in a fit of jealousy and rage. (irishtimes.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 14 Dec2023
    In courtirishtimes.com, first report
    Jury begins deliberating in trial of woman accused of murdering former lover

    Reports that the jury has begun deliberations in the murder trial, with the defence closing argument, the prosecution closing argument and the judge's directions to the jury. Adds the jury composition, the forensic evidence relied on by the prosecution and the defence's challenge to the witness evidence.

    accused, Nicola Brennan, 33, female, named, irish (judged from name)Nicola Brennanvictim, Juris Viktorovs, 36, male, non-irish (judged from name)Juris Viktorovs