Saturday 31 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. 19783Murder · Co. Mayo · 5 Mar 2023

Man to stand trial over murder of John Brogan in Mayo

Kevin McHale, a 63-year-old man from Annagh, Castlebar, is charged with the murder of 83-year-old John Brogan at Brogan's home outside Castlebar, Co Mayo, on 5 March 2023. McHale is also charged with arson. On 20 September 2023 he was served with the book of evidence at Castlebar District Court, where the Director of Public Prosecutions directed trial by indictment on both charges. He was sent forward to the Central Criminal Court on existing bail conditions, and the State did not object to his application for legal aid. The latest development is that he is to appear at the next sitting of the Central Criminal Court, with one junior and one senior counsel approved.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court20 Sep
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • John Brogan, an 83-year-old man, is the alleged victim of a murder in Co Mayo.
  • Kevin McHale, a 63-year-old man of Annagh, Castlebar, is accused of the murder.
Where
The alleged murder took place at John Brogan's home outside Castlebar, Co Mayo.
When
The alleged murder took place on 5 March 2023.
Charges
  • Kevin McHale is charged with the murder of John Brogan.
  • Kevin McHale is also charged with arson.
In court
  • McHale was served with the book of evidence at Castlebar District Court on 20 September 2023.
  • The Director of Public Prosecutions directed trial by indictment on both charges.
  • McHale was sent forward to the next sitting of the Central Criminal Court on existing bail conditions.
  • The judge approved one junior counsel and one senior counsel because of the gravity of the offences.
  • The State did not object to McHale's application for legal aid.
8 statements extracted from the articles
  • whereThe murder is alleged to have happened at John Brogan's home outside Castlebar. (rte.ie)
  • chargeKevin McHale is charged with the murder of John Brogan. (rte.ie)
  • chargeMcHale is also charged with arson. (rte.ie)
  • courtMcHale was served with the book of evidence at Castlebar District Court. (rte.ie)
  • courtThe Director of Public Prosecutions directed trial by indictment on both charges. (rte.ie)
  • courtMcHale was sent forward to the next sitting of the Central Criminal Court on existing bail conditions. (rte.ie)
  • courtThe judge approved one junior counsel and one senior counsel because of the gravity of the offences. (rte.ie)
  • courtThe State did not object to McHale's application for legal aid. (rte.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 20 Sep2023
    In courtrte.ie, first report
    Man to stand trial over murder of John Brogan in Mayo

    Reports that McHale was charged with murder and arson, sent forward for trial at the Central Criminal Court, and granted legal aid. No existing case matches; the Phelan case involves a different alleged assault.

    accused, Kevin McHale, 63, male, named, irish (judged from name)Kevin McHalevictim, John Brogan, 83, male, irish (judged from name)John Brogan