Ireland Man who killed parents in 1999 East Wall attack released on parole
In June 1999 at the family home in Dublin's East Wall, John Francis Dolan, also known as Frankie, then 26, stabbed his mother Gertrude, 56, in a frenzied attack after an angry row about his career, and his father John, 71, was also killed. Dolan pleaded not guilty to murdering his mother but was found guilty by a jury, and he was acquitted of murdering his father but found guilty of manslaughter. In February 2001 he received a life sentence for murdering his mother and a five-year sentence for his father's manslaughter. After serving over 21 years, mostly in Mountjoy Prison, Dolan was released on permanent parole with conditions, as reported on 7 September 2023.
- Reported
- Arrested
- Charged
- In court
- Verdict
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- John Francis Dolan, also known as Frankie, was 26 at the time of the offence.
- Victims were Gertrude, 56, Dolan's mother, and John, 71, his father.
- Where
- The killings happened at the family home in Dublin's East Wall.
- When
- The killings happened in June 1999.
- Cause
- The attack followed an angry row about Dolan's career.
- Weapon
- Dolan first stabbed his mother in a frenzied attack.
- Investigation
- Gardaí found the decomposing bodies of the couple ten days after they were reported missing.
- Charges
- Dolan was charged with murdering his mother and his father.
- In court
- Dolan pleaded not guilty to murdering his mother but was found guilty by a jury.
- Dolan was acquitted of murdering his father but found guilty of manslaughter.
- Sentence
- In February 2001 Dolan received a life sentence for murdering his mother and a five-year sentence for his father's manslaughter.
- Other details
- Dolan served over 21 years in prison, most of it in Mountjoy Prison.
- Dolan was granted permanent parole with conditions attached, reported on 7 September 2023.
- The authorities do not regard Dolan as a danger to society.
12 statements extracted from the articles
- whereThe killings happened at the family home in Dublin's East Wall. (irishmirror.ie)
- whenThe killings happened in June 1999. (irishmirror.ie)
- causeThe attack followed an angry row about Dolan's career. (irishmirror.ie)
- weaponDolan first stabbed his mother in a frenzied attack. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationGardaí found the decomposing bodies of the couple ten days after they were reported missing. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtDolan pleaded not guilty to murdering his mother but was found guilty by a jury. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtDolan was acquitted of murdering his father but found guilty of manslaughter. (irishmirror.ie)
- sentenceDolan received a life sentence in February 2001 for murdering his mother. (irishmirror.ie)
- sentenceDolan received a five-year sentence for the manslaughter of his father. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherDolan has served over 21 years in prison, most of it in Mountjoy Prison. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherDolan has been granted permanent parole with conditions attached. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherThe authorities do not regard Dolan as a danger to society. (irishmirror.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 7 Sep2023Man who killed his mum and dad in violent rage walks free from prison
Reports Dolan's release on permanent parole after serving over 21 years, with details of the 2001 sentences and the 1999 crime.
victim, Gertrude, 56, female, irish (judged from name)Gertrudevictim, John, 71, male, irish (judged from name)Johnconvicted, John Francis Dolan, 26 at time of offence, male, named, irish (judged from name)John Francis Dolan