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. 5661Murder · Co. Dublin · 23 Nov 2021

Man pleads guilty to murdering Christopher Hall in Balbriggan

Christopher Hall, 65, a father of two, was murdered at his home on Dun Saithne Green, Balbriggan, Co Dublin, between 23 and 24 November 2021. Owen Maughan, 22, of Dun Saithne Avenue, Balbriggan, was charged with his murder. On a Friday, reported on 15 June 2024, Maughan pleaded guilty to the single murder charge at a pre-trial hearing before Mr Justice Paul McDermott at the Central Criminal Court. He was remanded in custody until 8 July, and a mandatory life sentence is expected.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court15 Jun
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • The victim, Christopher Hall, was 65 years old and a father of two.
  • The accused, Owen Maughan, is 22 years old.
Where
  • The murder occurred at the victim's home on Dun Saithne Green, Balbriggan, Co Dublin.
  • The accused lives on Dun Saithne Avenue, Balbriggan.
When
The murder occurred between 23 and 24 November 2021.
Charges
Maughan was charged with the murder of Christopher Hall.
In court
  • At a pre-trial hearing before Mr Justice Paul McDermott at the Central Criminal Court, Maughan pleaded guilty to the single charge on the indictment of murder.
  • The prosecution was led by senior counsel Garret Baker, and the defence by Philipp Rahn SC.
  • The pre-trial hearing was expected to last two and a half weeks.
  • The judge directed the preparation of a victim impact report.
  • Maughan was remanded in custody until 8 July.
Sentence
Maughan is expected to receive a mandatory life sentence.
14 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatThe accused is 22 years old (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe victim was a father of two (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe victim was 65 years old (irishtimes.com)
  • whereThe murder occurred at the victim's home in Dun Saithne Green, Balbriggan, Co Dublin (irishtimes.com)
  • whereThe accused lives on Dun Saithne Avenue, Balbriggan (irishtimes.com)
  • whenThe murder occurred between 23 and 24 November 2021 (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe pre-trial hearing was before Mr Justice Paul McDermott at the Central Criminal Court (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe prosecution case was led by senior counsel Garret Baker (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe defence team was headed by Philipp Rahn SC (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe pre-trial hearing was expected to last two and a half weeks (irishtimes.com)
  • courtMaughan entered a plea of guilty to the single charge of murdering Christopher Hall (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe judge directed the preparation of a victim impact report (irishtimes.com)
  • courtMaughan was remanded in custody until 8 July (irishtimes.com)
  • sentenceHe is expected to be sentenced to a mandatory term of life imprisonment (irishtimes.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 15 Jun2024
    In courtirishtimes.com, first report
    Man pleads guilty to murdering Christopher Hall in Balbriggan, Co Dublin, in 2021

    Maughan entered a guilty plea at the Central Criminal Court pre-trial hearing and was remanded in custody pending sentencing, with a mandatory life term expected.

    victim, Christopher Hall, 65, male, irish (judged from name)Christopher Hallconvicted, Owen Maughan, 22, male, named, irish (judged from name)Owen Maughan