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. 10896Murder · Co. Dublin · 20 Jun 2024

Man found guilty of murdering friend Michael Ryan in Dublin

On 20 June 2024, Joseph Lawlor, a 39-year-old man, stabbed his friend Michael Ryan, a 51-year-old man, once in the neck in a carpark behind Lawlor's home on Hampton Wood Road in Finglas, Dublin. The two men had been drinking together all day and had three physical confrontations, and the wound severed a branch of the carotid artery and killed Ryan. Lawlor pleaded not guilty to murder and claimed he acted in self defence. On 20 February 2026 a Dublin trial found him guilty of murder, and the judge remanded him in custody, with sentencing set for the following Friday.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Convicted20 Feb
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • Joseph Lawlor, a 39-year-old man, was found guilty of murdering his friend Michael Ryan.
  • Michael Ryan was a 51-year-old man.
Where
The killing happened in a carpark at the back of Lawlor's home on Hampton Wood Road in Finglas, Dublin.
When
The killing happened on 20 June 2024.
Cause
Lawlor stabbed Ryan once in the neck, severing a branch of the carotid artery and killing him.
Weapon
Lawlor followed Ryan with a bread knife in his hand.
Other details
  • The two men had been drinking together throughout the day and had three physical confrontations, the first at 8.30pm.
  • After the second fight, Ryan drove off and was arrested almost immediately for drink driving.
  • Ryan returned to Lawlor's home after midnight, came in through the back door and stole a bag with almost €4,000 inside.
  • Lawlor claimed he acted in self defence and testified to that effect at trial.
Charges
Lawlor pleaded not guilty to the murder of Michael Ryan.
In court
A Dublin trial found Lawlor guilty of murder on 20 February 2026.
Sentence
The judge remanded Lawlor in custody, with sentencing set for the following Friday.
13 statements extracted from the articles
  • whereThe killing happened in a carpark at the back of Lawlor's home. (rte.ie)
  • whereLawlor lived on Hampton Wood Road in Finglas. (rte.ie)
  • whenThe killing happened on 20 June 2024. (rte.ie)
  • causeLawlor stabbed Ryan once in the neck, severing a branch of the carotid artery and killing him. (rte.ie)
  • weaponLawlor followed Ryan with a bread knife in his hand. (rte.ie)
  • chargeLawlor had pleaded not guilty to the murder of Michael Ryan. (rte.ie)
  • courtA 39-year-old man has been found guilty of murdering his friend. (rte.ie)
  • courtThe judge remanded Lawlor in custody for sentencing the following Friday. (rte.ie)
  • otherThe two men had been drinking together throughout the day. (rte.ie)
  • otherThe two men had three physical confrontations, the first at 8.30pm. (rte.ie)
  • otherRyan was arrested for drink driving after the second fight. (rte.ie)
  • otherRyan came into Lawlor's home through the back door and stole a bag with almost €4,000 inside. (rte.ie)
  • otherLawlor claimed he had been acting in self defence. (rte.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 20 Feb2026
    Convictedrte.ie, first report
    Man found guilty of murdering his friend in 2024

    Reports the guilty verdict at the Dublin trial. Lawlor had pleaded not guilty and testified that he acted in self defence. Sentencing is set for the following Friday.

    convicted, Joseph Lawlor, 39, male, named, irish (judged from name)Joseph Lawlorvictim, Michael Ryan, 51, male, irish (judged from name)Michael Ryan