Ireland Case No. 21093Murder · Co. Dublin
Man sentenced to life for axe murder in Dublin
Kwok Ping Cheng, a 76-year-old Chinese man, was hacked to death with an axe at his sheltered accommodation at Robinson's Court, Cork Street, Dublin 8, between 28 and 29 April 2021. Oliver Doran, a 24-year-old man, fled to Northern Ireland and then England the following day before returning on 4 May 2021 and being arrested on 5 May. He initially pleaded not guilty at the Central Criminal Court but changed his plea to guilty on 17 January 2023. On 8 May 2023, Justice David Keane sentenced Doran to life imprisonment, backdated to the date of his guilty plea.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In court13 Jan
4 reports - Verdictnot reported
- Sentenced8 May
4 reports
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Oliver Doran, 24, told gardaí he killed Kwok Ping Cheng with an axe he brought from his own home.
- Where
- The murder took place at Robinson's Court, Cork Street, Dublin 8, where Cheng lived in sheltered accommodation.
- When
- The murder occurred between 28 and 29 April 2021; CCTV showed Cheng returning home at 6.42pm on 28 April and not emerging again.
- Weapon
- An axe brought by Doran from his own home was used, and his DNA was found on the handle.
- Cause
- The State Pathologist found multiple broken bones and wounds exposing the skull, with the most severe injuries being scalp lacerations most likely caused by an axe.
- Investigation
- Doran fled to Northern Ireland and then England the day after the murder, returned on 4 May 2021, and was arrested on 5 May 2021.
- Doran disposed of his clothing, a hammer, and a crowbar in Clondalkin after the murder.
- Charges
- Doran initially pleaded not guilty to murder but changed his plea to guilty on 17 January 2023 at the Central Criminal Court.
- In court
- The trial was before Mr Justice David Keane at the Central Criminal Court, and the jury was discharged after the guilty plea was accepted.
- Sentence
- Doran was sentenced to life imprisonment on 8 May 2023, backdated to 17 January 2023.
- Other details
- The murder was described as senseless with no motive, and officers do not believe a motive will ever be uncovered.
- Doran had 98 previous convictions before the murder.
- Cheng was originally from China, known to friends as Chinese George, and had family in Ireland.
96 statements extracted from the articles
- whatOliver Doran is 24 years old (irishtimes.com)
- whatCheng was originally from China (irishtimes.com)
- whatCheng was known to friends as Chinese George (irishtimes.com, thejournal.ie)
- whatDoran told gardaí he killed Cheng with an axe he brought from his own home (irishtimes.com, thejournal.ie)
- whatDoran fled the next day and initially went to Northern Ireland and then to England (irishtimes.com)
- whatCheng had family in Ireland (irishtimes.com)
- whatDoran appeared to have something under his jacket when he entered Robinson's Court. (irishtimes.com, thejournal.ie)
- whatDoran put the tool back inside his jacket and walked away unsteadily. (irishtimes.com)
- whatDoran brutally attacked and killed a 76-year-old man with an axe. (irishtimes.com)
- whatOliver Doran was sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of Kwok Ping Cheng. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatOliver Doran was given a life sentence for the 2021 murder of Kwok Ping Cheng. (thejournal.ie)
- whatOliver Doran brutally hacked a frail 76-year-old man to death with an axe. (irishmirror.ie)
- whereOliver Doran has an address at Sophia Housing, Cork Street, Dublin 8 (irishtimes.com)
- whereDoran had an address at Sophia Housing, Cork Street, Dublin 8. (irishmirror.ie, thejournal.ie)
- whereThe killing happened in the victim's sheltered accommodation at Robinson's Court on Cork Street, Dublin 8. (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe murder took place at Robinson’s Court in Dublin 8. (irishmirror.ie)
- whereThe victim was killed at Robinson's Court on Cork Street, Dublin 8. (thejournal.ie)
- whereMr Cheng lived in sheltered accommodation at Robinson's Court in Dublin 8. (irishmirror.ie)
- whenThe murder occurred between 28 and 29 April 2021 (irishtimes.com, thejournal.ie)
- whenThe plea change occurred on the third day of the trial at the Central Criminal Court on Tuesday, 17 January 2023. (irishtimes.com)
- whenCCTV showed Mr Cheng returning to his home at 6.42pm on 28 April 2021 and he did not emerge again. (irishtimes.com)
- whenCCTV showed Cheng returning to his home at 6.42pm on 28 April 2021 and not emerging again. (irishmirror.ie, thejournal.ie)
- whenCCTV showed Doran exiting Sophia Housing at 9.45pm and entering Robinson's Court a short time later. (irishmirror.ie)
- whenThe murder happened on a date between 28 and 29 April 2021. (irishtimes.com, irishmirror.ie)
- whenCCTV showed Doran entering the victim's apartment at 9.59pm and staying until 11.12pm. (thejournal.ie)
- whenDoran returned to the victim's home at 1.03am on 29 April and stayed for 11 minutes. (thejournal.ie)
- whenThe victim's body was found the following morning by a support worker. (thejournal.ie)
- whenCCTV shows Doran entering the apartment at 9.59pm on April 28, 2021. (irishmirror.ie)
- causeState Pathologist Dr Heidi Okkers said Mr Cheng suffered multiple broken bones and wounds that exposed his skull and underlying bones. (irishtimes.com)
- causeThe most severe injuries were scalp lacerations most likely caused by an axe. (irishtimes.com, irishmirror.ie, thejournal.ie)
- causeThe murder was described as senseless, with no meaningful motive established. (irishtimes.com)
- causeThe murder had no motive. (irishmirror.ie)
- causeThe victim was hacked to death with an axe. (thejournal.ie)
- causeThe attack was described as random. (irishmirror.ie)
- weaponDoran told investigating officers he killed Mr Cheng with an axe he had brought from his own home. (irishtimes.com)
- weaponDoran told gardaí he killed Cheng with an axe he had brought from his own home. (irishmirror.ie)
- weaponThe axe used was brought by Doran from his own home. (irishtimes.com)
- weaponThe victim was killed with an axe. (irishmirror.ie)
- weaponThe axe used was brought by Doran from his own home, and his DNA was found on the handle. (thejournal.ie)
- investigationDNA matching Doran's was found on the axe handle. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationDoran disposed of his clothing, a hammer and a crowbar after the murder. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationDoran fled the country after the murder and returned on 4 May 2021, when he was arrested on 5 May. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationDoran made admissions to gardaí but said he could not recall what happened because he had taken drink and drugs. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationCCTV footage showed Doran entering the victim's apartment at 9.59pm. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationDoran's DNA was found on the axe handle. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationDoran was arrested on 5 May 2021 after returning to Ireland on 4 May 2021. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationDoran returned to Ireland on 4 May 2021 and was arrested on 5 May. (thejournal.ie)
- investigationThe judge commended the Gardaí for the thoroughness and excellence of their investigation. (thejournal.ie)
- investigationAfter the killing, Doran ditched weapons and clothing in Clondalkin. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationOfficers do not believe a motive for the murder will ever be uncovered. (irishmirror.ie)
- chargeDoran pleaded not guilty to the murder (irishtimes.com)
- chargeDoran initially pleaded not guilty to the murder of Mr Cheng. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtThe trial is at the Central Criminal Court (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe jury consists of nine women and three men (irishtimes.com)
- courtAnne-Marie Lawlor SC opened the trial for the prosecution (irishtimes.com)
- courtPathologist Dr Heidi Okkers will give evidence on the cause of death (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe trial is before Mr Justice David Keane (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe DPP accepted the guilty plea. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe judge directed that a probation report and victim impact statements be prepared. (irishtimes.com)
- courtDoran was remanded in custody to 19 April for sentencing. (irishtimes.com, thejournal.ie)
- courtDoran pleaded guilty to murder on the third day of his trial at the Central Criminal Court. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtThe plea was accepted by the State. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtThe jury was discharged and exempted from jury duty for five years. (irishmirror.ie, thejournal.ie)
- courtA probation report and victim impact statements were directed, and Doran was remanded in custody to 19 April for sentencing. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtOliver Doran pleaded guilty to murder at the Central Criminal Court on 17 January 2023 (thejournal.ie)
- courtThe judge directed a probation report and victim impact statements be prepared (thejournal.ie)
- courtDoran initially pleaded not guilty, his trial began in January, and he later changed his plea to guilty. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe sentence was imposed at the Central Criminal Court. (irishtimes.com)
- courtDoran initially pleaded not guilty and later changed his plea to guilty. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtThe sentence was passed at the Central Criminal Court. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtDoran changed his plea to guilty after the trial started in January. (thejournal.ie)
- courtDoran later changed his plea to guilty. (irishmirror.ie)
- sentenceDoran was sentenced to life imprisonment, the maximum sentence. (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceThe sentence is backdated to 17 January, when Doran entered his guilty plea. (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceThe mandatory life sentence was backdated to 17 January, the date of the guilty plea. (irishmirror.ie)
- sentenceThe life sentence is backdated to 17 January, the date Doran entered his guilty plea. (thejournal.ie)
- sentenceDoran was sentenced to life over the April 2021 killing of Kwok Ping Cheng. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherMr Cheng was originally from China but had lived in Ireland for some time and had family there. (irishtimes.com)
- otherDoran indicated he did not remember a lot of what occurred because he had taken an intoxicant. (irishtimes.com)
- otherDoran accepted he fled the next day, initially going to Northern Ireland and later to England. (irishtimes.com)
- otherKwok Ping Cheng was originally from China but had lived in Ireland for some time. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherCheng was known to friends as Chinese George and lived in sheltered accommodation at Robinson's Court. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherDoran fled to Northern Ireland and then to England the day after the murder. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherCheng was originally from China but had lived in Ireland for some time (thejournal.ie)
- otherDoran fled the next day, initially to Northern Ireland and then to England (thejournal.ie)
- otherEllis said he knew Cheng was dead when he called out to him (thejournal.ie)
- otherThe flat was ransacked when Ellis found the body (thejournal.ie)
- otherThe jury consisted of nine women and three men (thejournal.ie)
- otherDoran had 98 previous convictions. (irishtimes.com, thejournal.ie)
- otherA probation report raised concerns about Doran's likely propensity to reoffend and for violence. (irishtimes.com)
- otherDoran fled Ireland with his family the day after the murder. (irishtimes.com, irishmirror.ie)
- otherA probation report raised concerns about Doran's likelihood to reoffend and his propensity for violence. (irishmirror.ie, thejournal.ie)
- otherDoran disposed of his clothing, a hammer and a crowbar, and left the country after the murder. (thejournal.ie)
- otherJustice Keane said the murder was senseless and had no motive. (thejournal.ie)
- otherDoran fled to England before returning and was arrested some days later. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherDoran had 98 convictions before the murder. (irishmirror.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 16 May2023Axe killer 'emotionless' with gardaí after hacking man to death in Dublin home
Adds that gardaí do not believe a motive will ever be uncovered, that Doran told someone he knew he had killed a person, that he was emotionless when arrested, and details of CCTV, weapons disposal and his flight to England.
victim, Kwok Ping Cheng, 76, maleKwok Ping Chengconvicted, Oliver Doran, 24, male, named, irish (judged from name)Oliver Doran - 8 May2023Violent criminal who 'brutally' murdered pensioner with axe is jailed for life
Adds the sentencing report: Justice Keane called the murder 'senseless' with no motive, the life sentence is backdated to 17 January because that is when Doran pleaded guilty, Doran had 98 previous convictions, the axe was brought from his own home, he fled the country after the murder and returned, and the victim's son made a statement to the court.
victim, Kwok Ping Cheng, 76, male, non-irish (judged from name)Kwok Ping Chengconvicted, Oliver Doran, 24, male, named, irish (judged from name)Oliver Doran - 8 May2023Dublin criminal jailed for life over murder of pensioner who was hacked to death
Reports the sentencing: Doran received a mandatory life sentence, backdated to 17 January (the date he pleaded guilty). It adds the court proceedings, the family's victim impact statement, the probation concerns, Doran's 98 previous convictions, and the details of the CCTV, axe and flight.
victim, Kwok Ping Cheng, 76Kwok Ping Chengconvicted, Oliver Doran, 24, named, irish (judged from name)Oliver Doran - 8 May2023Violent criminal who hacked pensioner to death with axe jailed for life
Sentencing report: adds that the murder was described as senseless with no established motive, that the axe was brought from Doran's home, that his DNA was found on the handle, that he fled Ireland the day after and was arrested after returning on 5 May 2021, that he had 98 previous convictions, that the sentence is backdated to 17 January when he pleaded guilty, and the victim impact statement from Mr Cheng's son.
convicted, Oliver Doran, 24, male, named, irish (judged from name)Oliver Doranvictim, Kwok Ping Cheng, 76, male, non-irish (judged from name)Kwok Ping Cheng - 17 Jan2023Man pleads guilty to murder of vulnerable pensioner in his home on Dublin's Cork Street
Reports the guilty plea entered at the Central Criminal Court on the third day of the trial, including evidence from CCTV, the state pathologist, and a witness who found the body, as well as the judge's direction for a probation report and victim impact statements before sentencing.
victim, Kwok Ping Cheng, 76, male, Chinese, non-irishKwok Ping Chengconvicted, Oliver Doran, 24, male, named, irish (judged from name)Oliver Doran - 17 Jan2023Man pleads guilty to murder of pensioner who was found 'covered in blood'
Doran entered a guilty plea on the third day of his murder trial, apologised to the victim's family, and was remanded in custody to 19 April 2023 for sentencing. The article provides trial evidence including CCTV timings, the pathologist's findings, and the discovery of the body by a witness.
victim, Kwok Ping Cheng, 76, male, Chinese, non-irishKwok Ping Chengaccused, Oliver Doran, 24, male, named, irish (judged from name)Oliver Doran - 17 Jan2023Man pleads guilty to murdering ‘vulnerable’ Chinese pensioner with axe
Reports Doran's guilty plea at trial, the prosecution's acceptance, the judge's direction for a probation report and victim impact statements, and trial evidence including witness testimony from James Ellis, State Pathologist Dr Heidi Okkers, and Det Garda Aidan Smylie on CCTV footage.
victim, Kwok Ping Cheng, 76, male, Chinese, non-irishKwok Ping Chengaccused, Oliver Doran, 24, male, named, irish (judged from name)Oliver Doran - 13 Jan2023Accused told gardaí he killed pensioner with axe but ‘doesn’t remember’ much of incident
Opening of the murder trial; prosecution case outlined by Anne-Marie Lawlor SC; Doran's statement to gardaí about killing Cheng with an axe and not remembering much due to an intoxicant; pathologist Dr Heidi Okkers to give evidence on cause of death; trial before Mr Justice David Keane.
victim, Kwok Ping Cheng, 76, male, Chinese, non-irishKwok Ping Chengaccused, Oliver Doran, 24, male, named, irish (judged from name)Oliver Doran