Case No. 0043Murder · Co. Dublin · 20 Feb 2024
Murder accused Seth Whelan to watch trial by video-link
Seth Whelan, 36, is accused of murdering his father Michael Whelan, 64, by crushing his head and repeatedly stabbing him at the flat they shared in Herberton Park, Rialto, Dublin 8, on 19 or 20 February 2024, before leaving the body for approximately one week until a neighbour raised the alarm and gardaí found it on 27 February 2024. He is also charged with criminal damage to a neighbour's Ring doorbell camera on 20 February 2024. At the Central Criminal Court, Whelan responded 'I don't know' when arraigned and his barrister Philip Sheahan SC entered not guilty pleas; the trial opened before Ms Justice Caroline Biggs and a jury of six men and six women, prosecuted by Anne-Marie Lawlor SC, and is expected to take up to four weeks. The latest development is that the judge ordered Whelan to attend the remainder of the trial by video-link after noticing him rocking and making humming noises, with a reference noted to him being autistic, though no evidence of a mental disorder will be adduced.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In court13 Oct
8 reports - Verdict
- Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Seth Whelan, 36, is accused of murdering his father Michael Whelan, 64, by crushing his head and repeatedly stabbing him, and the body was left in the flat they shared for approximately one week before a neighbour raised the alarm.
- A further 41 stab wounds were inflicted after Michael Whelan had died, in addition to the two fatal stab wounds.
- Where
- The murder is charged at a flat in Herberton Park, Rialto, Dublin 8, which the two men shared, and the body was found on the kitchen floor.
- When
- Michael Whelan died on 19 or 20 February 2024 and his body was discovered by gardaí on 27 February 2024.
- Cause
- The pathologist will say Whelan died from blunt force trauma to the head and two stab wounds that penetrated his heart and lungs.
- Investigation
- CCTV footage established Seth Whelan was the only person to enter or leave the flat over the previous week, and there was no evidence of forced entry.
- Charges
- Seth Whelan is charged with the murder of Michael Whelan and with criminal damage to a Ring doorbell camera at a neighbour's flat on 20 February 2024.
- In court
- At arraignment, Whelan responded 'I don't know' to each charge and his barrister Philip Sheahan SC entered not guilty pleas on his behalf.
- The trial opened at the Central Criminal Court before Ms Justice Caroline Biggs and a jury of six men and six women, prosecuted by Anne-Marie Lawlor SC, and is expected to take up to four weeks.
- The judge stated there will be no evidence of a mental disorder, so insanity or diminished responsibility do not arise, and a reference was made to Whelan being autistic.
- The judge ordered Whelan to attend the remainder of the trial by video-link after noticing him rocking and making humming noises, and the jury was sent home until Wednesday for logistics to be arranged.
86 statements extracted from the articles
- whatSeth Whelan is 36 years old (irishmirror.ie, rte.ie)
- whatMichael Whelan is 64 years old (irishmirror.ie)
- whatWhelan is also charged with damaging a Ring doorbell camera at a flat belonging to another woman at Herberton Park on 20 February 2024. (irishtimes.com)
- whatSeth Whelan is accused of murdering his father by crushing his head and repeatedly stabbing him (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe body was left in the flat they shared for about one week (irishtimes.com)
- whatA neighbour raised the alarm after not seeing Michael Whelan for some days (irishtimes.com)
- whatGardaí noticed a putrid smell and the deceased had met a violent death (irishtimes.com)
- whatThere was no evidence of forced entry (irishtimes.com)
- whatMichael Whelan was not seen alive after he entered the flat on 19 February (irishtimes.com)
- whatA further 41 stab wounds were inflicted after Michael Whelan died (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe body had lain for approximately one week, meaning Michael Whelan died on 19 or 20 February (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe accused sent a message to an acquaintance telling him his father had died (irishtimes.com)
- whatMichael Whelan was 64 years old. (rte.ie)
- whereThe murder occurred at a flat in Herberton Park, Rialto, Dublin 8 (irishmirror.ie)
- whereThe murder is charged at a flat the two men shared in Herberton Park, Rialto, Dublin 8. (irishtimes.com)
- whereGardaí found Michael Whelan's body on the floor of the flat in Herberton Park, Rialto, Dublin 8, on 27 February 2024. (irishmirror.ie)
- whereMichael Whelan's body was found on the floor of the flat in Herberton Park, Rialto, Dublin 8 on 27 February 2024. (dublinlive.ie)
- whereThe murder took place at the home the two shared in Herberton Park, Rialto, Dublin 8. (rte.ie)
- whenThe murder occurred on a date unknown between 19 and 27 February 2024 (irishmirror.ie)
- whenThe murder is charged on a date unknown between 19 and 27 February 2024, both dates inclusive. (irishtimes.com)
- whenMichael Whelan was not seen alive after entering the flat on 19 February, eight days before the body was found. (irishmirror.ie)
- whenThe body had lain dead for approximately one week, meaning Whelan died on 19 or 20 February. (irishmirror.ie)
- whenMichael Whelan was not seen alive after entering the flat on 19 February 2024. (dublinlive.ie)
- whenThe body had lain dead for approximately one week, meaning death occurred on 19 or 20 February 2024. (dublinlive.ie)
- whenGardaí found Michael Whelan's body on the kitchen floor of the flat on 27 February 2024. (rte.ie, irishmirror.ie)
- whenMichael Whelan died about one week before his body was discovered. (rte.ie)
- causeThe pathologist will say Whelan died from blunt force trauma to the head and two stab wounds that penetrated his heart and lungs. (irishmirror.ie)
- causeA further 41 stab wounds were inflicted after death. (irishmirror.ie)
- causeThe deceased's skull and face were crushed in. (irishmirror.ie, dublinlive.ie)
- causeMichael Whelan died from blunt force trauma to the head and two stab wounds that penetrated his heart and lungs. (dublinlive.ie, irishtimes.com)
- causeA further 41 stab wounds were inflicted after Michael Whelan had died. (dublinlive.ie)
- causeMichael Whelan died from blunt force trauma to the head. (rte.ie)
- causeMichael Whelan died from blunt force trauma to the head about one week before his body was discovered (irishtimes.com, irishmirror.ie)
- investigationCCTV footage established Seth Whelan was the only person to enter or leave the flat over the previous week. (dublinlive.ie)
- investigationVideo footage will establish that Seth Whelan damaged the Ring doorbell. (dublinlive.ie)
- chargeHe is charged with damaging a Ring doorbell camera on 20 February 2024 at a flat belonging to another woman at Herberton Park (irishmirror.ie)
- chargeSeth Whelan was arraigned on a charge of murdering his father Michael Whelan and responded 'I don't know'. (irishmirror.ie)
- chargeWhelan is also charged with criminal damage to a Ring doorbell belonging to a neighbour on 20 February 2024. (irishmirror.ie)
- chargeSeth Whelan is also charged with criminal damage to a Ring doorbell belonging to a neighbour on 20 February 2024. (dublinlive.ie)
- chargeSeth Whelan is charged with the murder of his father Michael Whelan. (rte.ie)
- chargeSeth Whelan responded 'I don't know' when arraigned on the murder charge, and his barrister entered a plea of not guilty. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtDefence barrister Philip Sheahan SC entered not guilty pleas on behalf of Seth Whelan (irishmirror.ie)
- courtMs Justice Caroline Biggs swore a jury of six men and six women (irishmirror.ie)
- courtThe trial is expected to take up to four weeks (irishmirror.ie, irishtimes.com)
- courtThe jury was asked to return for the opening of the trial on Thursday (irishmirror.ie, irishtimes.com)
- courtJudge Caroline Biggs swore a jury of six men and six women to hear the trial. (irishtimes.com)
- courtWhelan's barrister entered a plea of not guilty on his behalf. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtThe trial opened at the Central Criminal Court before a jury of six men and six women, prosecuted by Anne-Marie Lawlor SC and presided over by Ms Justice Caroline Biggs. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtA not guilty plea was entered on the criminal damage charge. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtA not guilty plea was entered on Seth Whelan's behalf for the criminal damage charge. (dublinlive.ie)
- courtThe trial is continuing before a jury and Ms Justice Caroline Biggs at the Central Criminal Court. (dublinlive.ie)
- courtThe trial continues before Judge Caroline Biggs (irishtimes.com)
- courtSeth Whelan responded 'I don't know' when arraigned on the charge. (rte.ie)
- courtHis barrister entered a plea of not guilty on his behalf. (rte.ie)
- courtThe jury consists of six men and six women. (rte.ie, irishmirror.ie)
- courtMs Justice Caroline Biggs is presiding over the trial. (rte.ie, irishmirror.ie)
- courtThere will be no evidence in the trial that Seth Whelan has a mental disorder. (rte.ie)
- courtInsanity or diminished responsibility do not arise in this case. (rte.ie)
- courtIt is Seth Whelan's express wish to attend the rest of the trial by video-link. (rte.ie)
- courtThe trial continues. (rte.ie)
- courtJudge Caroline Biggs told the jury that noises from the accused might make it difficult to hear witnesses and barristers (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe judge stated there will be no evidence in the trial that Whelan has a mental disorder (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe jury was sent home until Wednesday while logistics for the video-link are arranged (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe judge noticed the accused was rocking and making humming noises that might make it difficult for the jury to hear witnesses. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtThere will be no evidence in the trial that the accused has a mental disorder, so insanity or diminished responsibility do not arise. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtIt is the accused's express wish to attend the rest of the trial by video-link, and he will still be taking part but not physically in the courtroom. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherSeth Whelan replied 'I don't know' to each charge (irishmirror.ie)
- otherA neighbour raised the alarm after not seeing Mr Whelan for some days. (irishmirror.ie, dublinlive.ie)
- otherGardaí noticed a putrid smell from the decomposing body and saw immediately that he had met a violent death. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherThe body was lying on its back surrounded by extensive blood staining. (irishmirror.ie, dublinlive.ie, irishtimes.com)
- otherSeth Whelan arrived at the flat while gardaí were still there. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherThere was no evidence of forced entry to the flat. (irishmirror.ie, dublinlive.ie)
- otherCCTV footage showed Seth Whelan was the only person to enter or leave the flat over the previous week. (irishmirror.ie, irishtimes.com)
- otherThe accused sent a message to an acquaintance telling him his father had died during the period between death and discovery. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherIn garda interviews, Whelan denied knowing that his father was dead. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherThere will be no evidence that Seth Whelan was suffering from a mental disorder at the time of his father's death. (irishmirror.ie, dublinlive.ie)
- otherSeth Whelan responded 'I don't know' when arraigned on the murder charge. (dublinlive.ie)
- otherGardaí noticed a putrid smell from the decomposing body on arrival. (dublinlive.ie)
- otherSeth Whelan arrived at the flat while gardaí were there. (dublinlive.ie, irishtimes.com)
- otherThe accused sent a message to an acquaintance telling him his father had died during the period before the body was found. (dublinlive.ie)
- otherIn garda interviews, Seth Whelan denied knowing that his father was dead. (dublinlive.ie, irishtimes.com)
- otherThere was a reference to Seth Whelan being autistic. (rte.ie)
- otherSome of his court behaviours may be related to sensory or communication issues. (rte.ie)
- otherThere was a reference to Whelan being autistic (irishtimes.com)
- otherWhelan's behaviours in court included making humming noises and rocking in his seat (irishtimes.com)
- otherThere was a reference to the accused being autistic, and some of his court behaviours may be related to sensory or communication issues. (irishmirror.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 20 Oct2026Man accused of murdering dad to watch trial by video-link after humming noises
Provides detail on the video-link arrangement: the judge (Ms Justice Caroline Biggs) noticed the accused rocking and making humming noises, noted a reference to him being autistic, confirmed no mental disorder evidence will be adduced, and confirmed his express wish to attend by video-link. The jury is six men and six women.
victim, Michael Whelan, 64, male, irish (judged from name)Michael Whelanaccused, Seth Whelan, 36, male, named, irish (judged from name)Seth Whelan - 20 Oct2026Murder accused to watch trial by video-link after judge notices ‘humming noises’
Details the judge's decision to allow Whelan to attend by video-link, her statement that no mental disorder evidence will be presented, and a reference to Whelan being autistic.
victim, Michael Whelan, 64, male, irish (judged from name)Michael Whelanaccused, Seth Whelan, 36, male, named, irish (judged from name)Seth Whelan - 20 Oct2026Accused to watch trial by video-link after humming noises
Judge ordered accused to attend remainder of trial by video-link due to humming and rocking; no evidence of mental disorder to be adduced; reference to autism noted; trial continues.
accused, Seth Whelan, 36, male, named, irish (judged from name)Seth Whelanvictim, Michael Whelan, 64, male, irish (judged from name)Michael Whelan - 15 Oct2026Murder accused crushed father’s head and repeatedly stabbed him, trial opening hears
Trial opening details: pathologist evidence on cause of death (blunt force trauma, two fatal stab wounds, 41 post-mortem stab wounds), CCTV showing Whelan was the only person in or out of the flat for a week, no forced entry, and messages sent by the accused during which he denied knowing his father was dead.
victim, Michael Whelan, 64, male, irish (judged from name)Michael Whelanaccused, Seth Whelan, 36, male, named, irish (judged from name)Seth Whelan - 15 Oct2026Man accused of murdering his dad and leaving decomposing body in flat for a week
Prosecution opening statement at the Central Criminal Court trial detailing the pathologist's findings of blunt force trauma to the head, two fatal stab wounds to the heart and lungs, and 41 post-mortem stab wounds, CCTV evidence, and an additional charge of criminal damage to a neighbour's Ring doorbell.
victim, Michael Whelan, 64, male, irish (judged from name)Michael Whelanaccused, Seth Whelan, 36, male, named, irish (judged from name)Seth Whelan - 15 Oct2026Man accused of murdering his dad and leaving body in flat for a week
Prosecution's opening address at the Central Criminal Court trial before Ms Justice Caroline Biggs, detailing pathologist findings of blunt force trauma and 43 stab wounds, CCTV evidence showing Whelan as the only person in or out of the flat, the additional charge of criminal damage to a neighbour's Ring doorbell, and the absence of any mental disorder defence.
victim, Michael Whelan, 64, male, irish (judged from name)Michael Whelanaccused, Seth Whelan, 36, male, named, irish (judged from name)Seth Whelan - 13 Oct2026Man who replied ‘I don’t know’ to charge of murdering his father two years ago pleads not guilty
Whelan replied 'I don't know' to each charge; defence barrister Philip Sheahan SC entered not guilty pleas on his behalf. Judge Caroline Biggs swore a jury of six men and six women; trial expected to take up to four weeks.
victim, Michael Whelan, 64, male, irish (judged from name)Michael Whelanaccused, Seth Whelan, 36, male, named, irish (judged from name)Seth Whelan - 13 Oct2026Man accused of murdering father pleads not guilty after saying 'I don't know'
Arraignment at the Central Criminal Court where Seth Whelan replied 'I don't know' to each charge and his defence barrister entered not guilty pleas. A jury of twelve was sworn by Ms Justice Caroline Biggs and the trial is expected to last up to four weeks.
victim, Michael Whelan, 64, male, irish (judged from name)Michael Whelanaccused, Seth Whelan, 36, male, named, irish (judged from name)Seth Whelan