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. 9285Manslaughter · Co. Westmeath · 13 Aug 2022

Man pleads guilty to manslaughter over Athlone stag night killing

A man pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of Paul "Babs" Connolly, who was seriously injured on Church Street in Athlone, Co. Westmeath, in the early hours of 13 August 2022. Sean Munnelly was charged with the unlawful killing of Mr Connolly. It is alleged that Munnelly followed Mr Connolly and struck him after another man had initially attacked him with kicks and blows. Munnelly pleaded guilty before Judge Cephas Power at Mullingar Circuit Criminal Court, and the judge adjourned the case to 6 October for facts and sentencing, ordering a victim impact statement and remanding Munnelly in continuing custody.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Convicted1 Jun
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
A man pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of Paul "Babs" Connolly.
Where
Mr Connolly was seriously injured on Church Street in Athlone, Co. Westmeath.
When
Mr Connolly's injuries were suffered in the early hours of 13 August 2022.
Cause
  • Another man initially attacked Mr Connolly with kicks and blows.
  • It is alleged that Sean Munnelly followed Mr Connolly and struck him.
Investigation
Gardaí harvested CCTV footage from the area.
Charges
Sean Munnelly was charged with the unlawful killing of Mr Connolly.
In court
  • Munnelly pleaded guilty before Judge Cephas Power at Mullingar Circuit Criminal Court.
  • Judge Power adjourned the case to 6 October for facts and sentencing.
  • Munnelly was remanded in continuing custody and a victim impact statement was ordered.
Sentence
No sentence has been imposed yet, and sentencing is listed for 6 October.
Other details
  • The incident had two sections, minutes apart.
  • The court report is dated 30 June 2026 in the article text and 1 June 2026 in its listing.
11 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatA man pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of Paul “Babs” Connolly. (thejournal.ie)
  • whereMr Connolly was seriously injured on Church Street in Athlone, Co. Westmeath. (thejournal.ie)
  • whenThe injuries were suffered in the early hours of 13 August 2022. (thejournal.ie)
  • causeAnother man had initially attacked Mr Connolly with kicks and blows. (thejournal.ie)
  • causeMunnelly allegedly followed Mr Connolly and struck him. (thejournal.ie)
  • investigationGardaí harvested CCTV footage from the vicinity. (thejournal.ie)
  • chargeSean Munnelly was charged with the unlawful killing of the victim. (thejournal.ie)
  • courtMunnelly pleaded guilty before Judge Cephas Power at Mullingar Circuit Criminal Court. (thejournal.ie)
  • courtJudge Power adjourned the case until 6 October for facts and sentencing. (thejournal.ie)
  • courtMunnelly was remanded in continuing custody and a victim impact statement was ordered. (thejournal.ie)
  • otherThe incident had two sections, minutes apart. (thejournal.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 1 Jun2026
    Convictedthejournal.ie, first report
    Man pleads guilty to manslaughter in stag night killing case

    A guilty plea to manslaughter was entered at Mullingar Circuit Criminal Court, with facts and sentencing adjourned to 6 October and a victim impact statement ordered.

    victim, Paul “Babs” Connolly, 48, male, irish (judged from name)Paul “Babs” Connollyconvicted, Sean Munnelly, 39, male, named, irish (judged from name)Sean Munnelly