Kieran Long charged with murder of Mark O'Connell in Hollyhill, Cork
Mark O'Connell, a 39-year-old father of three, was stabbed to death outside a house in Hollyville, Hollyhill, Cork city, in the early hours of 16 November 2025 during an altercation. Kieran Long, a 56-year-old man from Ardcullen, Hollyhill, was charged with his murder and appeared at CCJ Court No. 1 Cork on 7 October 2026, where he made no reply to the charge after caution. The DPP directed trial by indictment and consented to Long going forward on a signed plea of guilty, but his defence said Long would plead not guilty and apply to the High Court for bail. Long was remanded in custody.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Charged7 Oct
3 reports - In court
- Verdict
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Mark O'Connell, described as 39 in most reports but 36 in the Irish Times, was a father of three who was stabbed during an altercation at a property in Hollyhill, Cork.
- Where
- The stabbing took place outside a house in Hollyville, Hollyhill, on the north side of Cork city.
- When
- The fatal incident occurred in the early hours of 16 November 2025.
- Cause
- The coroner found O'Connell died from a single stab wound to the upper thorax, with bleeding into the cavity between the lung and chest wall and into the pericardial sac surrounding the heart.
- Investigation
- A 55-year-old man was arrested soon after the incident and released without charge before Kieran Long was charged.
- Charges
- Kieran Long, a 56-year-old man of Ardcullen, Hollyhill, Cork, was charged with the murder of Mark O'Connell.
- In court
- Long appeared at CCJ Court No. 1 Cork on 7 October 2026, where Det Garda Mick Dolan of Gurranabraher Garda station gave evidence of arrest, charge and caution, and Long made no reply to the charge.
- The DPP directed trial by indictment and consented to Long going forward on a signed plea of guilty.
- Defence solicitor Shane Collins Daly said Long would plead not guilty, had maintained his innocence at all times, and would apply to the High Court for bail.
- Other details
- Long was remanded in custody.
16 statements extracted from the articles
- whatThe victim was a father of three (irishmirror.ie)
- whereThe stabbing occurred during an altercation at a property in Hollyhill, Cork city's northside (irishmirror.ie)
- whereThe fatal incident occurred in Hollyville, Hollyhill, Cork city. (garda.ie)
- whereThe stabbing took place outside a house in Hollyville, Hollyhill, Cork. (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe fatal incident occurred on 16 November 2025. (garda.ie)
- whenThe stabbing occurred on 16 November 2025. (irishtimes.com)
- causeThe stab wound led to bleeding into the cavity between the lung and the chest wall and into the pericardial sac surrounding the heart. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationDet Garda Mick Dolan of Gurranabraher Garda station gave evidence of arrest, charge and caution. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeA male in his 50s was charged and appeared at CCJ Court No. 1 in Cork on 7 October 2026 (irishmirror.ie)
- chargeA male in his 50s has been charged in relation to the investigation. (garda.ie)
- courtThe suspect is due to appear at CCJ Court No. 1 Cork on 7 October 2026. (garda.ie)
- courtThe DPP directed trial by indictment on the charge. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe DPP consented to Long going forward on a signed plea of guilty. (irishtimes.com)
- courtDefence solicitor Shane Collins Daly said his client would be applying to the High Court for bail. (irishtimes.com)
- otherLong made no reply to the charge when it was put to him after caution. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe defence said Long will be pleading not guilty and has maintained his innocence at all times. (irishtimes.com)
The reporting
newest first- 8 Oct2026Man charged with murder of father of three in stabbing incident in Cork
First report of the murder charge. DPP directed trial by indictment and consented to a signed plea of guilty, but defence says Long will plead not guilty. Inquest details confirm cause of death as haemorrhage and shock from a stab wound to the upper thorax.
victim, 36, male, irish (judged from name)accused, Kieran Long, 56, male, named, irish (judged from name)Kieran Long - 7 Oct202607/10/2026 Update (3) Court Appearance – Fatal Incident, Hollyville, Hollyhill, Cork city, 16th November 2025
Confirms the suspect is due to appear at CCJ Court No. 1 Cork on 7 October 2026.
suspect, 50s, male - 7 Oct2026Man due in court in connection with death of dad-of-three Mark O'Connell
Provides the coroner's finding of a single stab wound to the upper thorax, confirms the victim was a dad-of-three and employee at Northside Community Enterprises in Farranferris, and notes that a 55-year-old man was previously arrested and released without charge before the current suspect was charged.
victim, Mark O'Connell, 39, male, irish (judged from name)Mark O'Connellsuspect, 50s, male