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. 8466Murder · Co. Waterford · 24 Jan 2025

Jury in Waterford murder trial due to begin deliberations

Gillian Curran, a 47-year-old woman originally from Sweetbriar in Tramore, was found unresponsive on 25 January 2025 and pronounced dead a short time later, after staying the night of 24 January at the Waterford city home of Marcus O'Neill, a 35-year-old man. The State Pathologist said she died from blunt force injuries to her head and abdomen, and O'Neill, who has denied murdering her, told gardaí she had fallen several times after drinking vodka. His trial before a Central Criminal Court jury of five men and seven women opened in Waterford on 9 July, and the jury must decide whether the injuries were accidental or caused by a violent assault. As of 27 July 2026, the jury was due to begin its deliberations, and no verdict has been reported.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court27 Jul
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • Gillian Curran, 47, a woman originally from Sweetbriar in Tramore, died after being found unresponsive.
  • Marcus O'Neill, 35, a man, is on trial accused of murdering Ms Curran.
Where
Sources differ on the location: one says Ms Curran was found at her partner's house, another says she was found at the accused's home on O'Brien Street in Waterford city.
When
  • Ms Curran stayed at the accused's home on the night of 24 January 2025.
  • Ms Curran was found unresponsive on the morning of 25 January 2025 and pronounced dead a short time later.
Cause
  • The State Pathologist said Ms Curran died from blunt force traumatic injuries to her head and abdomen.
  • The pathologist found 143 external bruise and abrasion injuries and more than 20 internal injuries.
  • The jury must decide whether the injuries were accidental or the result of a violent assault, as the State contends.
Investigation
  • The accused told gardaí that Ms Curran had fallen several times after drinking vodka at his home, including onto a kitchen table and on the stairs.
  • A 999 call made by the accused to gardaí was played to the jury.
Charges
The accused has denied murdering Ms Curran.
In court
  • The trial before a jury of five men and seven women first opened before the Central Criminal Court in Waterford on 9 July.
  • The judge hoped the jury would begin deliberations when they returned to Waterford Courthouse the following morning.
Other details
As of 27 July 2026, the jury in the trial was due to begin its deliberations.
12 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatThe trial of a 35-year-old man accused of murdering Gillian Curran is at the stage where the jury is due to begin deliberations. (rte.ie)
  • whereMs Curran was found at the accused's home on O'Brien Street in Waterford city. (rte.ie)
  • whenMs Curran was found unresponsive at her partner's house on the morning of 25 January 2025. (rte.ie)
  • whenMs Curran stayed at the accused's home on the night of 24 January 2025. (rte.ie)
  • causeThe State Pathologist gave evidence that Ms Curran died from blunt force traumatic injuries to her head and abdomen. (rte.ie)
  • causeThe jury must decide whether the injuries were accidental or the result of a violent assault, as the State contends. (rte.ie)
  • investigationA 999 call made by the accused to gardaí was played to the jury. (rte.ie)
  • chargeThe accused has denied murdering Ms Curran. (rte.ie)
  • courtThe trial before a jury of five men and seven women first opened before the Central Criminal Court in Waterford on 9 July. (rte.ie)
  • courtThe judge hoped the jury would begin deliberations when they returned to Waterford Courthouse the following morning. (rte.ie)
  • otherThe accused told gardaí that Ms Curran fell several times after drinking vodka at his home, including onto a kitchen table and on the stairs. (rte.ie)
  • otherThe pathologist found 143 external bruise and abrasion injuries and more than 20 internal injuries. (rte.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 27 Jul2026
    In courtrte.ie, first report
    Jury in Waterford murder trial due to begin deliberations

    Reports the Central Criminal Court trial nearing the jury's deliberations, with the defence account of the fall and the 999 call recording.

    accused, Marcus O'Neill, 35, male, named, irish (judged from name)Marcus O'Neillvictim, Gillian Curran, 47, female, irish (judged from name)Gillian Curran