Thursday 29 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. 8157Murder · Co. Cork · 24 Sep 2017

Murder trial hears sofa repeatedly dropped on man in Skibbereen

Andrew Nash, 43, of Parnell Street, Thurles, is on trial at the Central Criminal Court in Cork charged with murdering John Ustic, a 51-year-old man, at High Street, Skibbereen, Co Cork, between 24 and 25 September 2017, and he denies the charge. Gardaí arrested Mr Nash in November 2017. In July 2023 prosecution counsel told the jury that alcohol played a significant part and that a sofa was allegedly dropped repeatedly on Mr Ustic's head and chest, while a postmortem found blunt force trauma to the head, neck and chest. Mr Nash admitted hitting Mr Ustic a few times but denied causing the injuries that led to his death. The trial, before seven men and five women, was expected to last three weeks, and the latest report covers the opening of the prosecution case.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court10 Jul
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
John Ustic, a 51-year-old man, died in Skibbereen, Co Cork, between 24 and 25 September 2017.
Charges
Andrew Nash, 43, denies murdering John Ustic.
Where
Mr Ustic had lived in a rented house on High Street in Skibbereen for several months before his death.
When
Sources differ: one says Mr Ustic was pronounced dead at the scene, and another says Suzanne Fenton found him unresponsive the next morning.
Cause
  • Prosecution counsel said alcohol played a significant part in the case.
  • Mr Nash allegedly pulled Mr Ustic, who was very intoxicated, from a car, causing him to hit his head on the ground.
  • A postmortem found Mr Ustic died from blunt force trauma to the head, neck and chest, with acute alcohol intoxication as a contributory factor.
Weapon
  • Mr Nash allegedly slashed Mr Ustic's ear with a broken bottle.
  • Mr Nash allegedly lifted a sofa and brought it down repeatedly on Mr Ustic's head and chest as he lay on the floor.
Investigation
Gardaí arrested Mr Nash in November 2017.
In court
  • The trial is taking place at the Central Criminal Court sitting in Cork before a jury of seven men and five women.
  • The case is expected to last three weeks.
Other details
  • Mr Nash admitted hitting Mr Ustic a few times but denied causing the injuries that led to his death.
  • Mr Ustic had been in a relationship with Suzanne Fenton, the mother of the accused, and had moved to Ireland from the UK in 2005.
13 statements extracted from the articles
  • whereMr Ustic had been living in a rented house on High Street in Skibbereen for several months before his death. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenMs Fenton found Mr Ustic unresponsive the next morning. (irishtimes.com)
  • causeAlcohol played a significant part in the case, according to the prosecution. (irishtimes.com)
  • causeMr Nash pulled Mr Ustic, who was very intoxicated, from a car, causing him to hit his head on the ground. (irishtimes.com)
  • causeA postmortem found Mr Ustic died from blunt force trauma to the head, neck and chest, with acute alcohol intoxication as a contributory factor. (irishtimes.com)
  • weaponMr Nash allegedly slashed Mr Ustic's ear with a broken bottle. (irishtimes.com)
  • weaponMr Nash allegedly lifted a sofa and brought it down repeatedly on Mr Ustic's head and chest. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationGardaí arrested Mr Nash in November 2017. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeAndrew Nash denies murdering John Ustic in Skibbereen, Co Cork, between 24 and 25 September 2017. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe trial is taking place at the Central Criminal Court sitting in Cork before a jury of seven men and five women. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe case is expected to last three weeks. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherMr Ustic was pronounced dead at the scene. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherMr Nash admitted hitting Mr Ustic a few times but denied causing the injuries that led to his death. (irishtimes.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 10 Jul2023
    In courtirishtimes.com, first report
    Murder accused repeatedly dropped sofa on man’s head and chest, prosecutor says

    Reports the opening of the prosecution case at the trial of Andrew Nash, including the alleged sofa attack, the cause of death and the accused's partial admission. No existing case matches this trial.

    victim, John Ustic, 51, male, non-irish (judged from name)John Usticaccused, Andrew Nash, 43, male, named, irish (judged from name)Andrew Nash