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. 4968Manslaughter · Co. Kerry · 12 May 2012

Man pleads guilty to manslaughter of father and daughter who died in 2012 Tralee house fire

Philip Griffin pleaded guilty at the Central Criminal Court to the manslaughter of Anthony and Nadine O'Brien, who died in a house fire at Killeen Heights in Tralee, Co Kerry, on 12 May 2012. A sentencing hearing has been set for December 16.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Convicted14 Oct
    2 reports
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
19 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatA man pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of a father and his five-year-old daughter who died in a house fire in Co Kerry. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatPhilip Griffin pleaded guilty to manslaughter of Anthony and Nadine O'Brien. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whereThe fire happened at Killeen Heights in Tralee. (irishtimes.com)
  • whereThe fire was at Killeen Heights in Tralee, Co Kerry. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whenThe deaths occurred on 12 May 2012. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenThe deaths happened on 12 May 2012. (irishmirror.ie)
  • causeThe victims died during a house fire. (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeGriffin was arraigned on charges of murdering Anthony O’Brien and Nadine O’Brien. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeA third charge relating to starting the fire will not be pursued. (irishtimes.com, irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeGriffin pleaded not guilty to murder. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtGriffin appeared before the Central Criminal Court on a Monday. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtGriffin pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to two charges of manslaughter. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtProsecutors said the manslaughter pleas were acceptable. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtMembers of the victims' family were in court to hear the plea. (irishtimes.com, irishmirror.ie)
  • courtThe judge requested a probation report and victim impact statements for a sentencing hearing on December 16th. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtGriffin appeared before the Central Criminal Court on a Monday for arraignment. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtThe Director of Public Prosecutions accepted the manslaughter pleas. (irishmirror.ie)
  • sentenceA sentencing hearing is to be held on December 16, with a probation report and victim impact statements requested. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherGriffin is of no fixed abode but originally from Tralee in Co Kerry. (irishmirror.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 14 Oct2024
    Convictedirishmirror.ie, first report
    Man pleads guilty to killing father and daughter, 5, who died in house fire

    Reports Griffin's guilty pleas to manslaughter on both counts, the dropped charge of starting the fire, and that sentencing is listed for December 16.

    convicted, Philip Griffin, 37, male, named, irish (judged from name)Philip Griffinvictim, Anthony O'Brien, 30, male, irish (judged from name)Anthony O'Brienvictim, Nadine O'Brien, 5, female, irish (judged from name)Nadine O'Brien
  2. 14 Oct2024
    Convictedirishtimes.com, follow-up
    Man pleads guilty to manslaughter of father and daughter killed in Co Kerry house fire

    Reports Griffin's guilty pleas to two manslaughter charges and the court's directions for a probation report, victim impact statements and a sentencing hearing on December 16th. The article does not give the cause of the fire.

    victim, Anthony O'Brien, 30, male, irish (judged from name)Anthony O'Brienvictim, Nadine O'Brien, 5, female, irish (judged from name)Nadine O'Brienconvicted, Philip Griffin, 37, male, named, irish (judged from name)Philip Griffin