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. 6915Murder · Co. Wicklow · 10 Feb 2022

Jury fails to agree verdict in trial of Nicola Brennan over Wicklow stabbing

Nicola Brennan, 33, of no fixed abode, pleaded not guilty to the murder of Juris Viktorovs, 36, a Latvian native, who was stabbed once in the chest at Shillelagh, Ballyconnell, Co Wicklow, on February 10, 2022. Her month-long trial at the Central Criminal Court ended on December 18, 2023, when the jury, after seven hours and 33 minutes of deliberation, said there was no possibility of a verdict being reached. Judge Paul McDermott thanked the jurors, exempted them from further service for ten years, and remanded Ms Brennan in custody until January 24, when a date will be set for a new trial.

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

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Nicola Brennan, 33, pleaded not guilty to the murder of Juris Viktorovs, 36, a Latvian native.
Where
The killing took place at Shillelagh, Ballyconnell, Co Wicklow.
When
The incident happened on February 10, 2022.
Cause
Mr Viktorovs was stabbed once in the chest.
Weapon
The prosecution said Ms Brennan put a knife into Mr Viktorovs.
Investigation
  • The prosecution relied on eye-witness evidence from Brenda Kane, who said she saw Ms Brennan put a knife into Mr Viktorovs.
  • Gardaí were satisfied that Viacestaus Narnickis was not involved in the stabbing and no charges were brought against him.
Other details
Sources describe Mr Viktorovs as Ms Brennan's housemate, and one describes him as her former lover.
In court
  • The month-long trial was held at the Central Criminal Court.
  • A jury of eight men and four women deliberated for seven hours and 33 minutes.
  • Mr Justice Paul McDermott said he would accept a majority verdict if at least ten jurors agreed.
  • On December 18, 2023, the jury returned and said there was no possibility of a verdict being reached, so it failed to agree.
  • The defence asked for a verdict of not guilty of murder.
Sentence
The judge remanded Ms Brennan in custody until January 24, when a date will be set for a new trial.
22 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatNicola Brennan pleaded not guilty to the murder of Juris Viktorovs. (irishtimes.com)
  • whereThe killing happened at Shillelagh, Ballyconnell, Co Wicklow. (irishtimes.com)
  • whereThe killing happened at Shillelagh, Ballyconnell, County Wicklow. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whenThe killing happened on February 10th, 2022. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenThe killing happened on February 10, 2022. (irishmirror.ie)
  • causeMr Viktorovs was stabbed once in the chest. (irishtimes.com)
  • causeJuris Viktorovs was stabbed once in the chest. (irishmirror.ie)
  • weaponThe prosecution said Ms Brennan put a knife into Mr Viktorovs. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationGardaí were satisfied that Viacestaus Narnickis was not involved in the stabbing and no charges were brought against him. (irishtimes.com, irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationThe prosecution relied on the eye-witness evidence of Brenda Kane, who said she saw Brennan put a knife into Viktorovs. (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeNicola Brennan pleaded not guilty to the murder of her housemate, Juris Viktorovs. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtThe prosecution relied on eye-witness evidence from Brenda Kane. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe jury was told that a majority verdict would be accepted if at least 10 jurors agreed. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe jury returned saying there was no possibility of a verdict being reached. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe jury failed to agree a verdict after a month-long trial. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe judge remanded Ms Brennan in custody until January 24th, when a date will be set for a new trial. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe defence asked for a verdict of not guilty of murder. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtBrennan's month-long trial was held at the Central Criminal Court. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtThe jury deliberated for seven hours and 33 minutes. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtThe judge said he would accept a majority verdict if at least ten jurors agreed. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtThe jury returned and said there was no possibility of a verdict being reached. (irishmirror.ie)
  • sentenceThe judge remanded Brennan in custody until January 24, when a date will be set for a new trial. (irishmirror.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 18 Dec2023
    In courtirishmirror.ie, first report
    Woman who denies murdering ex-lover sobs as jury fails to agree a verdict

    Reports that the jury could not agree a verdict after seven hours and 33 minutes of deliberation at the close of a month-long trial. Brennan was remanded in custody until January 24, when a date for a new trial will be set.

    victim, Juris Viktorovs, 36, Latvian, non-irishJuris Viktorovsaccused, Nicola Brennan, 33, named, irish (judged from name)Nicola Brennan
  2. 18 Dec2023
    In courtirishtimes.com, follow-up
    Jury fails to agree verdict in trial of Nicola Brennan for murder of former lover

    The jury could not agree a verdict after seven hours and 33 minutes of deliberation. The judge remanded Ms Brennan in custody until January 24th, when a date will be set for a new trial.

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