Case No. 1804Murder (suspected) · Co. Wicklow · 19 Jan 2025
Man arrested in connection with stabbing death of father-of-six in Bray
William 'Willie' Moorehouse, 36, a father-of-six, was found dead in a playground at Ballywaltrim, Bray, Co Wicklow, on 19 January 2025 after being stabbed as many as ten times in a suspected arranged fight between rival gangs. On 16 April 2025, Patrick Fitzpatrick, 33, was charged with his murder and violent disorder at Arklow District Court and remanded in custody, while James Fell, 24, and a 17-year-old male were charged with violent disorder and possession of articles capable of inflicting serious injury; Fell was granted bail with conditions and the juvenile was remanded to Oberstown. On 23 April 2025, a man in his 30s was arrested and detained under Section 4, and on 24 April Kris Kiggins, 32, was charged with violent disorder and possession of an article capable of causing serious harm and remanded in custody. Gardaí continue to investigate and appeal for witnesses.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrested22 Apr
3 reports - Charged16 Apr
2 reports - In court16 Apr
- Verdict
- Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- William 'Willie' Moorehouse, 36, a father-of-six, was found dead in a playground at Ballywaltrim, Bray, on 19 January 2025 after being stabbed as many as ten times.
- Gardaí suspect the stabbing followed a suspected arranged fight between rival gangs, and the gravely injured man stumbled into the playground where he collapsed and was declared dead at the scene after members of the public and emergency services tried to save him.
- Where
- The incident occurred at a playground off Boghall Road in the Ballywaltrim area of Bray, Co Wicklow, and Moorehouse lived at the Half Moon Halting Site near Bray.
- When
- The incident occurred on Sunday, 19 January 2025, shortly after 6pm.
- Weapon
- Gardaí recovered weapons from the scene including knives, an axe, an iron bar, a baseball bat, a golf club, and other items.
- Investigation
- On 15 April 2025, Gardaí arrested three men (one a juvenile, two in their 20s and 30s) and a woman in her 50s; the woman was released without charge and a file was prepared for the DPP.
- On 23 April 2025, a man in his 30s was arrested and detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984 at a Garda Station in the Wexford/Wicklow Division.
- Charges
- Patrick Fitzpatrick, 33, of Old Court, Bray, was charged with murder and violent disorder, while James Fell, 24, of Fassaroe, Bray, and a 17-year-old male were charged with violent disorder and possession of articles capable of inflicting serious injury.
- On 24 April 2025, Kris Kiggins, 32, of no fixed abode but originally from the Bray area, was charged with violent disorder and possession of an article capable of causing serious harm and remanded in custody to appear at Bray District Court on 1 May.
- In court
- On 16 April 2025 at Arklow District Court, Fitzpatrick was remanded in custody, Fell was granted bail with a €750 bond, daily sign-on at Coolock Garda station, a curfew from 11pm to 7am, and a condition to stay away from Bray, and the juvenile was remanded to Oberstown detention centre, all to appear at Bray District Court.
- Other details
- CCTV footage showed approximately 13 people were involved in the affray, and the 17-year-old is regularly reported missing from a care home in the Bray area.
- Gardaí continue to appeal for witnesses and the investigation into all circumstances surrounding the death is ongoing.
52 statements extracted from the articles
- whatWillie Moorehouse, 36, was found dead in a playground at Ballywaltrim in Bray on Sunday, January 19. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatPatrick Fitzpatrick, 33, was charged with murdering William Moorehouse and violent disorder at Arklow District Court. (irishtimes.com)
- whatJames Fell, 24, and a 17-year-old male were charged with violent disorder and possession of articles capable of inflicting serious injury. (irishtimes.com)
- whatGardaí suspect Moorehouse was stabbed as many as ten times following a suspected arranged fight. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatThe fight occurred nearby and the gravely injured father-of-six stumbled into the playground where he collapsed. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatMembers of the public tried to help Moorehouse and emergency services attempted to save his life, but he was declared dead at the scene. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatA man in his 30s was arrested in connection with the death of a man in a Co Wicklow playground. (irishtimes.com)
- whatGardaí suspect he was stabbed as many as ten times following a suspected arranged fight. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatThe fight is believed to have occurred nearby and the injured man stumbled into the playground where he collapsed. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatMembers of the public tried to help and emergency services rushed to the scene attempting to save his life, but he was declared dead at the scene. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatMoorehouse died after attending a fight between rival gangs at a playground in Ballywaltrim, Bray (irishtimes.com)
- whatCCTV footage showed approximately 13 people were involved in the affray (irishtimes.com)
- whereWilliam Moorehouse, 36, lived at the Half Moon Halting Site near Bray and was fatally injured in an altercation at a playground in the Ballywaltrim area. (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe victim lived at Half Moon Halting Site, just outside Bray. (irishtimes.com)
- whereKiggins is of no fixed abode but originally from the Bray area (irishtimes.com)
- whenWilliam Moorehouse, 36, died in the playground at Ballywaltrim, Bray, on 19 January. (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe incident occurred on 19 January 2025 (irishtimes.com)
- weaponWeapons including knives, an axe, a baseball bat, golf club and other items were recovered by gardaí afterwards. (irishmirror.ie)
- weaponGardaí recovered an axe, an iron bar and a baseball bat from the scene (irishtimes.com)
- investigationFitzpatrick was arrested at 9.21pm on Tuesday night and charged at 9.55pm. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationFell is allegedly seen on CCTV carrying a large metal bar and is allegedly identified as being involved in the fight. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationCCTV allegedly showed the juvenile on his way to the fight carrying a short stick or pole behind his back. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationA woman aged in her 50s who was arrested the previous day in relation to the investigation was released without charge and a file will be prepared for the DPP. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationGardaí carried out searches in the area and recovered weapons. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationOn 15 April 2025 Gardaí arrested three men, one a juvenile and two in their 20s and 30s, and a woman in her 50s. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationThe four individuals are detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984 at a Garda Station in the Wexford/Wicklow Division. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationGardaí continue to appeal for witnesses to come forward. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationGardaí in Bray are continuing to investigate all circumstances surrounding the death. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationThe arrested man is detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984 at a Garda Station in the Wexford/Wicklow Division. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationOne man in his 30s was arrested on Wednesday 23 April 2025 in connection with the investigation. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationThe suspect is detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984 at a Garda Station in the Wexford/Wicklow Division. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationInvestigations are ongoing. (irishmirror.ie)
- chargePatrick Fitzpatrick, 33, of Old Court in Bray, is charged with murder and violent disorder. (irishmirror.ie)
- chargeJames Fell, 24, of Fassaroe in Bray, is charged with violent disorder and production of an article, namely a metal bar. (irishmirror.ie)
- chargePatrick Fitzpatrick, 33, of Old Court, Bray, is charged with murder. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeJames Fell, 24, of Fassaroe, Bray, and the juvenile were charged with production of articles likely to cause harm and violent disorder. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeKris Kiggins was charged with violent disorder and possession of an article capable of causing serious harm (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe three accused appeared before Arklow District Court on Wednesday morning, 16 April 2025. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtJudge Kennedy remanded Fitzpatrick in custody to appear on Thursday, April 17 via video link. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtFell is due to appear before the court again on Monday, June 16. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtThe juvenile was denied bail and remanded to Oberstown juvenile detention centre to appear in Bray court via video link on Thursday, April 17. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtFitzpatrick was remanded in custody to appear before Bray District Court on Thursday with no bail application made. (irishtimes.com)
- courtFell was granted bail with conditions including a €750 bond, daily sign-on at Coolock Garda station, curfew from 11pm to 7am, and staying away from Bray unless attending court. (irishtimes.com)
- courtFell was ordered to appear before Bray District Court on 16 June. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe 17-year-old was remanded in custody to Oberstown detention centre to appear by video-link at Bray District Court on Thursday. (irishtimes.com)
- courtTwo men and a teenager appeared in court the previous week charged in connection with the death. (irishtimes.com)
- courtJames Fell and the juvenile appeared at Arklow District Court in Co Wicklow. (irishtimes.com)
- courtKiggins was remanded in custody to appear before Bray District Court on 1 May (irishtimes.com)
- courtTwo men and a juvenile appeared at Arklow District Court in connection with the matter (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceThe maximum sentence for the violent disorder charge is ten years and the production of an article charge has a maximum of seven years. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherThe juvenile is allegedly regularly reported missing from a care home where he lives, confirmed by a TUSLA social worker. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherGardaí were concerned the 17-year-old would not adhere to bail conditions as he is regularly absent from a care home in the Bray area. (irishtimes.com)
The reporting
newest first- 24 Apr2025Fourth man charged in connection with Bray playground death
Fourth person charged in connection with the death; details of the affray (13 people, weapons including axe, iron bar, baseball bat); Patrick Fitzpatrick (33) previously charged with murder and violent disorder; two men and a juvenile also appeared at Arklow District Court.
accused, Kris Kiggins, 32, male, named, irish (judged from name)Kris Kigginsvictim, William Moorehouse, maleWilliam Moorehouseaccused, Patrick Fitzpatrick, 33, male, named, irish (judged from name)Patrick Fitzpatrick - 24 Apr2025Man arrested in connection with death of father-of-six in Bray in January
First report of the arrest; details the circumstances of the stabbing, the recovery of weapons, and the detention of the suspect under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984.
victim, 36, malesuspect, 30s, male - 23 Apr2025Man (30s) arrested in connection with violent death at Co Wicklow playground
Reports the new arrest of a man in his 30s under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984 at a Garda Station in the Wexford/Wicklow Division, and provides details of the previous court appearances at Arklow District Court where Fitzpatrick was charged with murder and Fell and a juvenile were charged with production of articles and violent disorder.
victim, William Moorehouse, 36, male, irish (judged from name)William Moorehousesuspect, 30s, malesuspect, Patrick Fitzpatrick, 33, male, named at arrest, irish (judged from name)Patrick Fitzpatricksuspect, James Fell, 24, male, named at arrest, irish (judged from name)James Fellsuspect, male - 22 Apr2025Four people arrested in connection with death of father-of-six in January
Reports the arrest of four people on 15 April 2025 (three men including a juvenile, and a woman in her 50s), that Gardaí recovered weapons from searches in the area, and that the four are detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984 at a Garda Station in the Wexford/Wicklow Division.
victim, 36, male, irish (judged from name)suspect, malesuspect, malesuspect, malesuspect, female - 16 Apr2025Man (33) charged with murder of William Moorehouse in Bray
Details the Arklow District Court appearances where Fitzpatrick was charged with murder and violent disorder, Fell and a 17-year-old were charged with violent disorder and possession of articles, and the court's remand and bail decisions. Fitzpatrick was remanded in custody; Fell was granted bail with conditions; the 17-year-old was remanded to Oberstown.
victim, William Moorehouse, 36, male, irish (judged from name)William Moorehouseaccused, Patrick Fitzpatrick, 33, male, named, irish (judged from name)Patrick Fitzpatrickaccused, James Fell, 24, male, named, irish (judged from name)James Fellaccused, 17, male - 16 Apr2025Two men and teen appear in court in relation to Willie Moorehouse death in Bray
Court proceedings at Arklow District Court on 16 April 2025: Fitzpatrick remanded in custody, Fell granted bail on €750 bond with conditions, juvenile remanded to Oberstown. Details of the alleged arranged fight, weapons recovered, and CCTV evidence provided. A woman in her 50s arrested the previous day was released without charge.
victim, Willie Moorehouse, 36, male, irish (judged from name)Willie Moorehouseaccused, Patrick Fitzpatrick, 33, male, named, irish (judged from name)Patrick Fitzpatrickaccused, James Fell, 24, male, named, irish (judged from name)James Fellaccused, male