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. 9807Manslaughter · Co. Dublin · 7 Jun 2021

Man jailed for manslaughter of pensioner Charles McCaughley in Fairview, Dublin

On 7 June 2021 on Fairview Strand in Fairview, Dublin 3, Joshua Rush (26) used a back spin kick on Charles McCaughley, a pensioner, who fell on his back. Mr McCaughley died on 26 June 2021 from a traumatic brain injury. Rush was arrested a couple of days after the assault, after gardaí made enquiries at accommodation he was seen entering. Rush pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of Mr McCaughley at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, and the judge described the incident as an unprovoked confrontation. The latest development is Rush's sentence of six and a half years' imprisonment with the final 18 months suspended, reported on 5 May 2026 as a five-year sentence.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced1 May
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Joshua Rush pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of Charles McCaughley.
Other details
Joshua Rush is 26 years old, according to the article, and Charles McCaughley is described as a pensioner.
Where
The incident happened on Fairview Strand, Fairview, Dublin 3.
When
  • The incident happened on 7 June 2021.
  • Mr McCaughley died on 26 June 2021.
  • The sentence was reported on 5 May 2026, although the article's listing is dated 1 May 2026.
Cause
  • Rush used a back spin kick on Mr McCaughley, who fell on his back.
  • The post-mortem found the cause of death was traumatic brain injury from a significant fall to the back of the head.
Investigation
Rush was arrested a couple of days after the assault after gardaí made enquiries at the accommodation he was seen entering.
In court
  • The judge said the incident was an unprovoked confrontation.
  • Rush has no previous convictions, the court heard.
Sentence
Rush was sentenced to six and a half years' imprisonment with the final 18 months suspended, though one article reports the sentence as five years.
10 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatJoshua Rush pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of Charles McCaughley. (thejournal.ie)
  • whereThe incident happened on Fairview Strand, Fairview, Dublin 3. (thejournal.ie)
  • whenThe incident happened on 7 June 2021. (thejournal.ie)
  • whenMr McCaughley died on 26 June 2021. (thejournal.ie)
  • causeRush used a back spin kick on the older man, who fell on his back. (thejournal.ie)
  • causeThe post-mortem found the cause of death was traumatic brain injury from a significant fall to the back of the head. (thejournal.ie)
  • investigationRush was arrested a couple of days after the assault after gardaí made enquiries at the accommodation he was seen entering. (thejournal.ie)
  • courtThe judge said the incident was an unprovoked confrontation. (thejournal.ie)
  • courtRush has no previous convictions, the court heard. (thejournal.ie)
  • sentenceRush was sentenced to six and a half years' imprisonment, with the final 18 months suspended. (thejournal.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 1 May2026
    Sentencedthejournal.ie, first report
    Man jailed for five years for causing the death of pensioner with 'back spin' MMA-style kick

    Sentencing report for a 2021 fatal assault. The article gives the sentence, the cause of death, the arrest and the court's remarks, and includes the defence and DPP positions on sentence.

    victim, Charles McCaughley, 69, male, irish (judged from name)Charles McCaughleyconvicted, Joshua Rush, 26, male, named, irish (judged from name)Joshua Rush