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. 9994Murder · Co. Wexford · 31 Dec 2024

Jury discharged in Wexford murder trial

John 'King' O'Connor died in New Ross, Co Wexford, on 31 December 2024. Wayne Roche, a 35-year-old man, has been charged with his murder and has pleaded not guilty. His trial opened on 20 April 2026 before a jury at the Central Criminal Court in Waterford. On 21 April 2026 the jury was discharged after a juror recognised a close family member of someone intimately involved in the case, and the trial is expected to restart before a new jury at Waterford Courthouse.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court21 Apr
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Wayne Roche is charged with murdering John 'King' O'Connor.
Where
  • The deceased died in New Ross, Co Wexford.
  • Wayne Roche was previously of Dominic's Place in Waterford city.
When
The death occurred on 31 December 2024, New Year's Eve.
Charges
Wayne Roche has pleaded not guilty to the murder.
In court
  • The trial opened on 20 April 2026 before a jury of six men and six women at the Central Criminal Court in Waterford.
  • On 21 April 2026 the judge, Mr Justice Patrick McGrath, discharged the jury because the trial was at an early stage.
  • An entirely new 12-member jury is to be empanelled, and the trial is expected to restart at Waterford Courthouse.
Cause
A juror recognised a close family member of someone intimately involved in the case.
Other details
  • The judge said the matter occurred through no fault of anyone.
  • The judge said such an issue can arise where the families of both the accused and the deceased are well known in the area.
  • Three weeks have been set aside for the trial to be completed.
10 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatThe accused is charged with murdering John 'King' O'Connor. (rte.ie)
  • whereThe deceased died in New Ross, Co Wexford. (rte.ie)
  • whenThe death occurred on New Year's Eve 2024. (rte.ie)
  • causeA juror recognised a close family member of someone intimately involved in the case. (rte.ie)
  • chargeThe accused has pleaded not guilty to the murder. (rte.ie)
  • courtThe trial opened before a jury at the Central Criminal Court in Waterford. (rte.ie)
  • courtThe judge decided to empanel an entirely new jury because the trial was at an early stage. (rte.ie)
  • courtThe trial is expected to restart before a new 12-member jury at Waterford Courthouse. (rte.ie)
  • otherThe judge said the matter occurred through no fault of anyone. (rte.ie)
  • otherThree weeks have been set aside for the trial to be completed. (rte.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 21 Apr2026
    In courtrte.ie, first report
    Jury discharged in Wexford murder trial

    The article reports that the jury was discharged on 21 April 2026 and that the trial is expected to begin again before a new jury at Waterford Courthouse.

    accused, Wayne Roche, 35, male, named, irish (judged from name)Wayne Rochevictim, John 'King' O'Connor, irish (judged from name)John 'King' O'Connor