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. 4410Murder · Co. Dublin · 26 Jul 2024

Murder trial opens of Patrick Murphy over fatal stabbing of Jordan Ronan in Tallaght

In the early hours of 26 July 2024, Jordan Ronan, a 20-year-old man, was fatally stabbed in the chest on Drumcairn Avenue, Tallaght, Dublin, and was pronounced dead at Tallaght Hospital at 4.40am. Patrick Murphy, a 37-year-old man of Drumcairn Parade, Tallaght, was arrested on suspicion of murder that same morning and was later charged with Mr Ronan's murder. Murphy admits stabbing Mr Ronan and causing his death but has pleaded not guilty to murder, and he told gardaí he acted to protect his family and property. A jury was sworn in at the Central Criminal Court on 3 December 2025 and the trial opened on 4 December 2025 before Mr Justice Kerida Naidoo. The trial is continuing and is expected to finish by 19 December 2025.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court4 Dec
    3 reports
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • Jordan Ronan, a 20-year-old man, was found bleeding heavily from a stab wound to the chest after he ran past a house and into a lamppost on Drumcairn Avenue.
  • Patrick Murphy, a 37-year-old man of Drumcairn Parade, Tallaght, admits stabbing Mr Ronan and causing his death.
Where
The killing is alleged to have happened on Drumcairn Avenue, Tallaght, Dublin.
When
The alleged murder happened in the early hours of 26 July 2024.
Cause
Mr Ronan died from a single stab wound to the chest, and the defence accepted that Murphy inflicted it.
Weapon
The defence accepted that Murphy used a knife to stab Mr Ronan.
Investigation
  • Gardaí identified Murphy as a suspect that morning and arrested him on suspicion of murder.
  • During detention Murphy admitted stabbing Mr Ronan, saying he did so to protect his family or his property, and told gardaí he stabbed a man outside his home to protect his property and family.
  • The defence accepted that a Revolut card found on Mr Ronan belonged to Murphy and had been taken from Murphy's van in his driveway.
Charges
Patrick Murphy is charged with the murder of Jordan Ronan and has pleaded not guilty.
In court
  • The trial is before Mr Justice Kerida Naidoo and a jury at the Central Criminal Court, with Ronan Kennedy SC for the defence and Patricia McLaughlin SC for the prosecution.
  • The jury was sworn in on 3 December 2025, and the sources give its makeup as eight men and four women in one account and five women and seven men in another.
  • The prosecution says the issue in the case is Murphy's intention when he stabbed Mr Ronan, and the trial is expected to finish by 19 December 2025.
Other details
Friends said Mr Ronan spent the earlier part of the night chatting in a car with them and had been drinking.
33 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatMr Ronan ran past a house on Drumcairn Avenue, ran into a lamppost and fell to the ground. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatParamedics found Mr Ronan bleeding heavily from a stab wound to the chest. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatMr Ronan was taken to Tallaght Hospital and pronounced dead at 4.40am. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatPatrick Murphy admits stabbing Jordan Ronan and causing his death but pleads not guilty to murder. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatMurphy told gardaí he stabbed a man outside his home to protect his property and family. (irishtimes.com)
  • whereThe killing is alleged to have happened at Drumcairn Avenue. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whereThe accused lives at Drumcairn Parade, Tallaght. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whenThe alleged murder happened in the early hours of July 26, 2024. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whenMr Ronan suffered a single fatal stab wound to the chest in the early hours of July 26, 2024. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whenRonan suffered a single fatal stab wound to the chest in the early hours of 26 July 2024. (irishtimes.com)
  • weaponThe defence accepted Mr Ronan died from a single stab wound to the chest inflicted by Mr Murphy using a knife. (irishmirror.ie)
  • weaponThe defence accepted Ronan died from a single stab wound inflicted by Murphy using a knife. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationGardai arrested Mr Murphy on suspicion of murder the same morning. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationGardaí identified Murphy as a suspect that morning and arrested him on suspicion of murder. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationDuring detention Murphy admitted stabbing Ronan, saying he did so either to protect his family or his property. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargePatrick Murphy is charged with the murder of Jordan Ronan. (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargePatrick Murphy admits stabbing Jordan Ronan and causing his death but has pleaded not guilty to murder. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtThe case is being heard at the Central Criminal Court. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtThe accused pleaded not guilty. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtA jury has been sworn in for the trial. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtRonan Kennedy SC is defence counsel and Patricia McLaughlin SC leads the prosecution. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtThe trial is expected to finish by December 19. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtThe jury consists of eight men and four women. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtThe jury is made up of five women and seven men. (irishmirror.ie, irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe trial is before Mr Justice Kerida Naidoo and a jury. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtThe prosecution says the issue in the case is Murphy's intention when he stabbed Ronan. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe trial continues before Mr Justice Kerida Naidoo. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherDuring detention Mr Murphy admitted the stabbing, saying he did so either to protect his family or his property. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherThe prosecution said the issue in the case is Mr Murphy's intention when he stabbed the deceased. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherThe defence accepted a Revolut card found on the deceased belonged to Mr Murphy and was taken from his van in the driveway. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherFriends said Mr Ronan had spent the earlier part of the night chatting in a car with them and had been drinking. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherRonan was taken to Tallaght Hospital and pronounced dead at 4.40am. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe defence accepted that a Revolut card found on Ronan belonged to Murphy and had been taken from Murphy's van in his driveway. (irishtimes.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 4 Dec2025
    In courtirishtimes.com, first report
    Murder trial hears father stabbed man outside his house to protect family

    Opening day of the murder trial, with the prosecution's opening speech, defence admissions and first witness evidence.

    victim, Jordan Ronan, 20, male, irish (judged from name)Jordan Ronanaccused, Patrick Murphy, 37, male, named, irish (judged from name)Patrick Murphy
  2. 4 Dec2025
    In courtirishmirror.ie, follow-up
    Dad told gardai he stabbed man to death outside his home to protect family

    Opening day of the murder trial, with the prosecution's opening speech, defence admissions and first witnesses.

    victim, Jordan Ronan, 20, male, irish (judged from name)Jordan Ronanaccused, Patrick Murphy, 37, male, named, irish (judged from name)Patrick Murphy
  3. 4 Dec2025
    In courtirishmirror.ie, first report
    Jury sworn in as trial begins of man charged with murder of 20-year-old

    Jury sworn in and murder trial set to begin; the accused pleaded not guilty.

    victim, Jordan Ronan, 20, male, irish (judged from name)Jordan Ronanaccused, Patrick Murphy, 37, male, named, irish (judged from name)Patrick Murphy