Ireland Case No. 3524Murder · Co. Mayo · 23 Oct 2024
Jury discharged in murder trial of Liam O'Leary over death of John Casserly, Ballina
Liam O'Leary, 33, is on trial at the Central Criminal Court for the murder of 58-year-old John Casserly, who was stabbed 27 times at a Peter McVerry Trust housing unit in Ballina, Co Mayo, in October 2024. The jury was discharged on 18 March 2026 after eight days of trial due to an 'unfortunate situation', and the case will be mentioned before the court on 15 April 2026.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In court18 Mar
2 reports - Verdict
- Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet
Key facts
consolidated from all reports19 statements extracted from the articles
- whatThe alarm was raised when O'Leary and Casserly entered a neighbour's apartment in Tone House, causing the occupants to flee downstairs. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatWhen gardaí breached the door, Casserly was lying naked on the ground face up, with O'Leary standing over him clothed. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatCasserly was stabbed 27 times, including on both sides of the chest, in the abdomen, neck, left eye, genitals and anus. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatCasserly suffered multiple blunt force and incised wounds to his trunk, arms and legs. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatCasserly's left eye had been removed from the skull by a combination of blunt and sharp force. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatAll the bones on the left side of Casserly's face were fractured. (irishmirror.ie)
- whereThe murder occurred at a Peter McVerry Trust housing unit on Tone St, Ballina, Co Mayo. (irishmirror.ie)
- whereThe murder took place at a Peter McVerry Trust housing unit on Tone Street, Ballina, Co Mayo. (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe incident occurred between 23 and 24 October 2024. (irishmirror.ie, irishtimes.com)
- weaponA blade had been inserted through Casserly's mouth into the bony part of the palate and through the base of the skull. (irishmirror.ie)
- weaponA bent and damaged butter knife was removed from Casserly's anus. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationState Pathologist Dr Heidi Okkers conducted the post-mortem examination. (irishmirror.ie)
- chargeLiam O'Leary, 33, pleaded not guilty to the murder of John Casserly, 58. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtThe trial began at the Central Criminal Court on 10 March 2026. (irishmirror.ie, irishtimes.com)
- courtThe jury was discharged on 18 March 2026 due to an 'unfortunate situation'. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtThe case will be mentioned again before the court on 15 April 2026. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtProsecution senior counsel Dean Kelly opened the trial on 10 March 2026. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtThe jurors were excused from further service for five years. (irishmirror.ie, irishtimes.com)
- courtThe case will be mentioned before the court on 15 April 2026. (irishtimes.com)
The reporting
newest first- 18 Mar2026‘Unfortunate situation’ leads to discharge of jury in murder trial
Jury discharged after eight days of trial; case to be mentioned before the court on 15 April 2026.
victim, John Casserly, 58, male, irish (judged from name)John Casserlyaccused, 33, male, irish (judged from name) - 18 Mar2026'An unfortunate situation': Jury discharged in murder trial
Jury discharged on 18 March 2026; prosecution opening evidence details from 10 March 2026; case to be mentioned again 15 April 2026.
victim, John Casserly, 58, male, irish (judged from name)John Casserlyaccused, Liam O'Leary, 33, male, named, irish (judged from name)Liam O'Leary