Case No. 0036Murder · Co. Donegal · 12 Apr 2025
Life sentence for Donegal man over Eddie Friel murder
Eddie Friel, a 60-year-old man, was killed in an unexplained and frenzied attack at his home in Killybegs, Donegal, on 12 April 2025. James Spendley, a 59-year-old man, was found asleep at his home with blood-stained hands and was arrested after multiple interviews by Gardaí. He pleaded guilty to murder shortly before his trial date. On 19 October 2026, Mr Justice Paul McDermott at the Central Criminal Court sentenced Spendley to life in prison with a mandatory term.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Verdictnot reported
- Sentenced19 Oct
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Eddie Friel was killed in an unexplained and frenzied attack, and the post mortem found 35 sharp injuries including three stab wounds with death caused by blunt force trauma to the head and lower limbs.
- Where
- The murder took place at Eddie Friel's home at Harbour View Drive, Killybegs, Donegal.
- When
- The murder took place on 12 April 2025.
- Weapon
- A baseball bat was found at the scene.
- Investigation
- Spendley was found asleep at his home with blood-stained hands bearing the deceased's DNA, and CCTV showed him wearing a sweatshirt later found at the murder scene.
- Spendley was interviewed five times by Gardaí and then arrested a second time for three further interviews.
- Charges
- Spendley pleaded guilty to murder shortly before his trial date.
- In court
- The case was heard at the Central Criminal Court before Mr Justice Paul McDermott.
- Sentence
- On 19 October 2026, Spendley was sentenced to life in prison with a mandatory term.
- Other details
- Spendley had a history of bipolar affective disorder and a problem with alcohol, and his sister had alerted Gardaí that his behaviour had deteriorated.
- Spendley had lived in Scotland until his teens before moving to Donegal.
20 statements extracted from the articles
- whatThe attack was described as unexplained and frenzied (rte.ie)
- whatThe post mortem found 35 sharp injuries including three stab wounds (rte.ie)
- whatSpendley was found asleep at his home with blood stained hands (rte.ie)
- whereEddie Friel was killed at his home at Harbour View Drive in Killybegs (rte.ie)
- whenThe murder took place on 12 April 2025 (rte.ie)
- causeEddie Friel died from blunt force trauma to the head and lower limbs (rte.ie)
- weaponA baseball bat was found at the scene (rte.ie)
- investigationThe deceased's DNA was found on Spendley's bloodied hands (rte.ie)
- investigationCCTV showed Spendley wearing a sweatshirt found at the murder scene (rte.ie)
- investigationSpendley was interviewed five times by Gardaí and then arrested a second time for three further interviews (rte.ie)
- chargeSpendley pleaded guilty to murder shortly before his trial date (rte.ie)
- courtThe case was heard at the Central Criminal Court (rte.ie)
- courtMr Justice Paul McDermott imposed the sentence (rte.ie)
- sentenceSpendley was jailed for life (rte.ie)
- sentenceThe mandatory term of life in prison was imposed (rte.ie)
- otherSpendley had a history of bipolar affective disorder (rte.ie)
- otherSpendley had lived in Scotland until his teens and moved to Donegal (rte.ie)
- otherSpendley had a problem with alcohol and bipolar disorder (rte.ie)
- otherSpendley's sister had alerted Gardaí that his behaviour had deteriorated (rte.ie)
- otherEddie Friel was the second eldest of ten children (rte.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 19 Oct2026Life in prison for Donegal man over Eddie Friel murder
Spendley received a mandatory life sentence after pleading guilty to murder. The court heard evidence of his bipolar affective disorder and erratic behaviour before the killing, and the family delivered a victim impact statement.
victim, Eddie Friel, 60, male, irish (judged from name)Eddie Frielconvicted, James Spendley, 59, male, named, irish (judged from name)James Spendley