Wednesday 28 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. 4801Murder · Co. Dublin · 23 Feb 2023

Murder trial of Brandon Gavin opens over Swords stabbing

Brandon Gavin, 22, has gone on trial at the Central Criminal Court charged with the murder of 19-year-old Marius Mamaliga at Forest Court, Swords, on 23 February 2023. He has pleaded not guilty, and the prosecution says the fatal stabbing lasted about 14 seconds.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court31 Oct
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
13 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatBrandon Gavin is charged with the murder of Marius Mamaliga. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whereThe stabbing happened at Forest Court, Swords. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whenThe stabbing happened on the evening of 23 February 2023. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whenThe entire incident lasted about 14 seconds. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whenMr Mamaliga was pronounced dead on 26 February. (irishmirror.ie)
  • causeMr Mamaliga was stabbed once in the neck. (irishmirror.ie)
  • causeThe accused allegedly stabbed Mr Mamaliga because he owed a drug debt and feared for his life. (irishmirror.ie)
  • weaponThe prosecution says the accused went to meet the deceased armed with a knife. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationThe accused dropped his mobile phone and two HSE appointment cards in the car footwell, which gardaí recovered. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationThe knife was subsequently recovered. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtThe trial opened at the Central Criminal Court. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtBrandon Gavin has pleaded not guilty. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtThe jury is made up of seven men and five women. (irishmirror.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 31 Oct2024
    In courtirishmirror.ie, first report
    Murder accused 'dropped phone and appointment cards at scene of stabbing'

    First report on the trial opening. Gives the prosecution's opening account, including the 14-second stabbing, the dropped phone and appointment cards, the knife recovery and the accused's alleged drug-debt motive.

    victim, Marius Mamaliga, 19, maleMarius Mamaligaaccused, Brandon Gavin, 22, male, named, irish (judged from name)Brandon Gavin