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. 6434Murder · Co. Kerry · 24 Feb 2024

Man (66) charged with murder of pensioner in Co Kerry

Patrick O'Mahony Sr, known as Paddy, a 84-year-old firearms trader who lived alone, was found dead outside his home at Ballreameen (also given as Ballyraemeen), near Castlemaine, Co Kerry, on Sunday 25 February 2024, after being shot. A man in his 60s was arrested on suspicion of murder on Monday 26 February. Thomas Carroll, 66, of Brookway, Clonmel, Co Tipperary, is charged with murdering Mr O'Mahony at his home on 24 February, and he made no reply to the charge when he appeared before Tralee District Court on 28 February 2024. The judge remanded him in custody to Cork Prison, to appear by video link at Tralee District Court on 6 March 2024, and a bail application is being lodged with the High Court.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrested27 Feb
    2 reports
  3. Charged25 Feb
    2 reports
  4. In court28 Feb
    2 reports
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Firearms trader Patrick O'Mahony Sr, aged 84, was found dead outside his home near Castlemaine, Co Kerry.
Where
  • The body was found at Ballreameen, about three miles or 5km outside Castlemaine; one source spells it Ballyraemeen.
  • Mr O'Mahony lived alone at his home outside Castlemaine, near Tralee.
When
  • The body was found on the morning of Sunday 25 February 2024.
  • The alleged murder took place on 24 February 2024.
Cause
  • He was found with a gunshot wound and was pronounced dead at the scene.
  • He is understood to have been shot in the chest by a person using a pistol or rifle.
Weapon
Gardaí are trying to determine the weapon used; ballistic tests will be carried out, and none of the victim's own weapons were missing.
Investigation
  • A man in his 60s who knew the victim was arrested on suspicion of murder shortly before noon on Monday 26 February and detained under section 50 of the Criminal Justice Act 2007 at a Garda station in Kerry.
  • An incident room was set up at Tralee Garda Station, a senior investigating officer was appointed, and the scene and house were preserved for forensic examination.
  • Gardaí have not ruled out an accidental death, and a postmortem was carried out by the Assistant State Pathologist.
Charges
Thomas Carroll is charged with the murder of Patrick O'Mahony at Ballyraemeen, Castlemaine, on 24 February; the charge is contrary to common law.
In court
  • Carroll, 66, appeared before Tralee District Court on 28 February 2024 and made no reply to the charge.
  • Legal aid was granted, the State sought remand in custody to Cork Prison, and the District Court cannot grant bail, so an application is being lodged with the High Court.
  • Judge John King remanded Carroll in custody to appear by video link at Tralee District Court on 6 March 2024.
Other details
The judge ordered Cork Prison to ensure Carroll receives all prescription medication and appropriate medical attention.
59 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatFirearms trader Patrick O’Mahony Sr was found dead outside his home in Castlemaine. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatGardaí are investigating the murder of a firearms trader found outside his home in Co Kerry. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThomas Carroll is charged with murdering Patrick O'Mahony, aged 84. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whereThe body was discovered in Castlemaine, County Kerry. (garda.ie)
  • whereThe body was found at a residence in the Castlemaine area. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whereThe body was found at Ballreameen, about three miles outside Castlemaine. (irishtimes.com)
  • whereThe victim was found dead outside his home in Castlemaine, Co Kerry. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whereThe victim lived alone at his home outside Castlemaine, near Tralee. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whereThe killing allegedly happened at the victim's home in Castlemaine, Co Kerry. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whereThe victim was killed at his home in Co Kerry. (irishtimes.com)
  • whereThe body was found at Ballreameen, about 5km outside Castlemaine, on a Sunday. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenThe body was discovered on Sunday, 25 February 2024. (garda.ie, irishmirror.ie)
  • whenThe body was found on a Sunday morning. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whenThe alleged murder took place on 24 February 2024. (irishmirror.ie)
  • causeThe man was found dead with a gunshot wound. (irishmirror.ie)
  • causeThe victim is understood to have been shot in the chest by a person using a pistol or rifle. (irishtimes.com)
  • causeThe victim was found dead with a gunshot wound. (irishmirror.ie)
  • weaponGardaí are trying to determine the weapon used in the fatal shooting. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationThe man was arrested following an investigation into the discovery of the body. (garda.ie)
  • investigationInvestigations are ongoing. (garda.ie, irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationA man in his 60s was arrested on suspicion of murder on Monday 26 February. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationThe arrested man was detained under section 50 of the Criminal Justice Act, 2007, at a Garda station in Kerry. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationThe scene has been preserved for technical and forensic examination. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationAn incident room has been set up at Tralee Garda Station and a Senior Investigating Officer has been appointed. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationBallistic tests will be carried out to ascertain the precise weapon used. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationThe house where the victim lived was sealed off for a technical examination. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationNone of the victim's own weapons were missing from the property. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationA man in his 60s who knew the victim is in custody at a Garda station in Co Kerry. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationThe suspect was arrested shortly before noon on Monday. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationThe suspect can be detained for up to seven days under section 50 of the Criminal Justice Act. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationGardaí will apply on Wednesday for an extension to the suspect's initial detention. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationAn incident room has been set up at Tralee Garda station and a senior investigating officer appointed. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationGardaí arrested Carroll, then charged and cautioned him at 12 noon at New Road, Tralee. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationDetective Sergeant Mark O’Sullivan gave evidence that Carroll was arrested and charged at noon at New Road, Tralee. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeGardaí in Tralee have charged the man. (garda.ie)
  • chargeGardaí in Tralee charged a man. (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeCarroll is charged with the murder of pensioner Patrick O'Mahony. (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeThe charge is contrary to common law. (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeThomas Carroll is charged with the murder of Paddy O’Mahony. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe man is due to appear before Tralee District Court on 28 February 2024 at 2.00pm. (garda.ie)
  • courtThe accused was due before Tralee District Court at 2.00pm on 28 February 2024. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtCarroll appeared before a sitting of Tralee District Court. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtCarroll made no reply to the charge. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtThe State sought remand in custody to Cork Prison, with appearance by video link. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtThe judge granted Carroll legal aid. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtThe judge remanded Carroll in custody to appear by video link the following Wednesday in Tralee District Court. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtThe District Court cannot grant bail, so an application is being lodged with the High Court. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtThe accused made no reply to the charge. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtCarroll's solicitor applied for legal aid, which was granted. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtCarroll's solicitor said an application for bail would be made to the High Court. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe State applied for Carroll to be remanded in custody to Cork Prison, to appear at Tralee District Court by video link on March 6. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtJudge John King granted the remand application. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe accused man is in his 60s. (garda.ie)
  • otherGardaí have not ruled out an accidental death. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherMr O’Mahony lived alone at his home outside Castlemaine near Tralee. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherThe victim was pronounced dead at the scene. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherA postmortem was carried out by the Assistant State Pathologist. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherA TD who was a friend of the victim described him as a firearms expert. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe judge ordered Cork Prison to ensure Carroll receives all prescription medication and appropriate medical attention. (irishmirror.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 28 Feb2024
    In courtirishtimes.com, first report
    Man (66) appears in court charged with murder of pensioner in Co Kerry

    First report of this case in the list. Covers the murder charge, the court appearance in Tralee, legal aid, the remand to Cork Prison and the planned High Court bail application.

    accused, Thomas Carroll, 66, male, named, irish (judged from name)Thomas Carrollvictim, Paddy O'Mahony, 84, male, irish (judged from name)Paddy O'Mahony
  2. 28 Feb2024
    In courtirishmirror.ie, follow-up
    Man, 66, appears in court charged with murder of Kerry pensioner

    Reports the court appearance of Thomas Carroll on a murder charge, the remand in custody, legal aid, and the bail application to the High Court. No existing case covers this incident.

    victim, Patrick O'Mahony, 84, male, irish (judged from name)Patrick O'Mahonyaccused, Thomas Carroll, 66, male, named, irish (judged from name)Thomas Carroll
  3. 28 Feb2024
    Chargedirishmirror.ie, follow-up
    Man due in court today charged in connection with death of Kerry pensioner

    Reports that the man was charged and due at Tralee District Court on 28 February 2024. The article does not name him or state the specific charge, and it adds the victim's full name, the gunshot cause and the court time.

    victim, Patrick O'Mahony Sr, male, irish (judged from name)Patrick O'Mahony Sraccused, 60s, male
  4. 27 Feb2024
    Arrestedirishtimes.com, follow-up
    Kerry shooting: Garda attempting to determine weapon used in killing of pensioner Patrick ‘Paddy’ O’Mahony

    Adds the shooting details (shot in the chest, weapon not yet identified), the suspect's arrest on Monday and detention under section 50 with an extension to be sought on Wednesday, the incident room and the forensic work. Does not name the suspect. The existing record shows a later charge at Tralee District Court, which this article predates.

    victim, Patrick “Paddy” O'Mahony, 84, male, irish (judged from name)Patrick “Paddy” O'Mahonysuspect, 60s, male
  5. 27 Feb2024
    Arrestedirishmirror.ie, follow-up
    Man arrested on suspicion of murder after elderly firearms trader found dead

    Reports the arrest of a man in his 60s on suspicion of murder on 26 February 2024, the day before the charge in the existing case. Gives the Garda account of the scene, the incident room and the SIO appointment, and says gardaí had not ruled out an accidental death.

    victim, Patrick O'Mahony Sr, 80s, male, irish (judged from name)Patrick O'Mahony Srsuspect, 60s, male
  6. 25 Feb2024
    Chargedgarda.ie, follow-up
    Court Appearance: Discovery of a Body, Castlemaine, County Kerry, 25th February 2024

    Garda press release confirming the charge against the man arrested over the body found in Castlemaine, and his court date at Tralee District Court on 28 February 2024. The article does not name anyone or state the offence.

    victim, maleaccused, 60s, male