Wednesday 28 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. 6247Murder · Co. Donegal · 19 Dec 2023

Man charged with murder of grandfather in Donegal

Derek Mulligan, a 36-year-old man of Magheraclogher, Bunbeg, Co Donegal, is alleged to have murdered his grandfather, Derek Burns, a man in his 70s, on 19 December 2023 at Carrickaboyle, Derrybeg. Mr Burns died at Letterkenny University Hospital a number of days after the assault. Mulligan was arrested and charged, and a report dated 21 March 2024 says he appeared before Letterkenny District Court on a Thursday, where the Director of Public Prosecutions consented to the case going forward to the Central Criminal Court for trial. A Section 4 assault charge was withdrawn, bail was not sought, and the case was adjourned to the following week, with a book of evidence expected to take a month to compile.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Charged21 Mar
  4. In court
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Derek Mulligan, 36, is charged with the murder of his grandfather, Derek Burns, who was in his 70s.
Where
The murder is alleged to have taken place at Carrickaboyle, Derrybeg, Co Donegal.
When
The murder is alleged to have happened on 19 December 2023, just days before Christmas.
Cause
Mr Burns died at Letterkenny University Hospital a number of days after the assault.
Investigation
  • Detective Garda Paul Dolan told the court he arrested the 36-year-old accused.
  • When the murder charge was put to him, the accused replied "no comment".
Charges
  • The accused is also charged with causing criminal damage to a red Nissan Qashqai.
  • The accused is also charged with making a threat to kill or cause serious harm to another person known to him.
  • The accused is also charged with assaulting a third person.
In court
  • The accused was brought before Letterkenny District Court on a Thursday, as reported on 21 March 2024.
  • The Director of Public Prosecutions consented to all matters being sent forward to the Central Criminal Court for trial.
  • A Section 4 assault causing serious harm charge was withdrawn before Judge Eiteain Cunningham.
  • Defence counsel said bail was not being applied for, and the case was adjourned to the following week.
  • A book of evidence is expected to take a month to compile.
14 statements extracted from the articles
  • whereThe accused was charged with the murder of Derek Burns at Carrickaboyle, Derrybeg. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenThe murder is alleged to have happened on 19 December 2023. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationA detective garda said he arrested the 36-year-old accused. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeA man has been charged with the murder of his grandfather just days before Christmas. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeThe accused was also charged with causing criminal damage to a red Nissan Qashqai. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeThe accused was also charged with making a threat to kill or cause serious harm to another person known to him. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeThe accused was also charged with assaulting a third person. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe accused was brought before Letterkenny District Court on a Thursday. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe Director of Public Prosecutions consented to all matters being sent forward to the Central Criminal Court for trial. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtA charge of Section 4 assault causing serious harm was withdrawn before Judge Eiteain Cunningham. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtDefence counsel said bail was not being applied for. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe case was adjourned to the following week. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtA book of evidence is expected to take a month to compile. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherDerek Burns, who was in his 70s, died at Letterkenny University Hospital a number of days after the assault. (irishtimes.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 21 Mar2024
    Chargedirishtimes.com, first report
    Man charged with murder of his grandfather in Donegal

    First report of the charge against Derek Mulligan, who is accused of murdering his grandfather Derek Burns. The article also covers additional charges, a withdrawn Section 4 charge, the victim's death in hospital, and the adjournment of the case.

    accused, Derek Mulligan, 36, male, named, irish (judged from name)Derek Mulliganvictim, Derek Burns, 70s, male, irish (judged from name)Derek Burns