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. 5677Murder · Co. Dublin

Jury discharged in trial of man accused of father's murder

Seth Whelan, aged 36, is charged with murdering his father, Michael Whelan, at the home they shared in Herberton Park, Rialto, Dublin 8. Gardaí found Michael Whelan's body on 27 February 2024, about one week after he had died from blunt force trauma to the head. Seth Whelan was arraigned earlier in October 2026, and his barrister entered a not guilty plea on his behalf. The jury of six men and six women was discharged two weeks into the trial, as reported on 28 October 2026, because an issue had arisen, and Ms Justice Caroline Biggs said the trial would restart very soon with a different panel of jurors.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court28 Oct
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Seth Whelan is charged with the murder of his father, Michael Whelan.
Where
The home the two shared was in Herberton Park, Rialto, Dublin 8.
Other details
Sources describe the shared home as an apartment in one report and simply as a home in others.
When
Michael Whelan's body was found on 27 February 2024.
Cause
Michael Whelan died after suffering blunt force trauma to the head.
Investigation
Gardaí found Michael Whelan's body about one week after he had died.
Charges
  • Seth Whelan was arraigned earlier in October 2026 on a charge of murdering his father.
  • When arraigned, Seth Whelan replied "I don't know", and his barrister entered a not guilty plea on his behalf.
In court
  • A jury of six men and six women was discharged two weeks into the trial.
  • Ms Justice Caroline Biggs said the jury had to be discharged because an issue had arisen.
  • Ms Justice Caroline Biggs said the trial would restart very soon with a different panel of jurors.
10 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatSeth Whelan is charged with the murder of his father Michael Whelan. (rte.ie)
  • whereThe home the two shared was in Herberton Park, Rialto, Dublin 8. (rte.ie)
  • whenMichael Whelan's body was found on 27 February 2024. (rte.ie)
  • causeMichael Whelan died after suffering blunt force trauma to the head. (rte.ie)
  • investigationGardaí found Michael Whelan's body about one week after he had died. (rte.ie)
  • courtA jury was discharged two weeks into the trial. (rte.ie)
  • courtThe trial jury was made up of six men and six women. (rte.ie)
  • courtMs Justice Caroline Biggs said the jury had to be discharged because an issue had arisen. (rte.ie)
  • courtThe judge said the trial would restart very soon with a different panel of jurors. (rte.ie)
  • courtSeth Whelan's barrister entered a not guilty plea on his behalf. (rte.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 28 Oct2026
    In courtrte.ie, first report
    Jury discharged in case of man accused of father's murder

    Reports that the jury was discharged two weeks into the trial, that the judge will restart the trial with a different panel, that the accused pleaded not guilty, and the body-discovery date.

    accused, Seth Whelan, 36, male, named, irish (judged from name)Seth Whelanvictim, Michael Whelan, male, irish (judged from name)Michael Whelan