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. 5712Manslaughter · Co. Wicklow · 10 Feb 2022

Nicola Brennan pleads guilty to manslaughter of Juris Viktorovs in Wicklow

Nicola Brennan, a 33-year-old woman of no fixed abode, pleaded guilty at the Central Criminal Court on 10 June 2024 to the manslaughter of Juris Viktorovs, a 36-year-old man and her former lover. The killing took place on 10 February 2022 at the home they shared at Shillelagh, Ballyconnell, County Wicklow. Brennan had pleaded not guilty to murder in December 2023, but after a month-long trial the jury could not agree a verdict. The DPP accepted her plea that she unlawfully killed but did not murder Viktorovs, and Mr Justice Paul McDermott adjourned sentencing to a hearing on 7 October, having requested probation and prison governor reports.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Convicted10 Jun
    2 reports
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Nicola Brennan pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of Juris Viktorovs, her former lover.
Where
The killing took place at the home the two shared at Shillelagh, Ballyconnell, County Wicklow.
When
The killing happened on 10 February 2022.
Cause
The DPP accepted Brennan's plea that she unlawfully killed but did not murder Viktorovs.
Weapon
A witness, Brenda Kane, said she saw the accused put a knife into Viktorovs.
Investigation
Gardaí were satisfied that Viacestaus Narnickis, the other man in the house, was not involved in the stabbing and no charges were brought against him.
Charges
Brennan was charged with murder and pleaded not guilty to it in December 2023.
In court
  • After a month-long trial the jury could not agree a verdict on the murder charge.
  • Brennan pleaded guilty to manslaughter at the Central Criminal Court on 10 June 2024.
  • Mr Justice McDermott said a murder finding requires proof beyond reasonable doubt that Brennan inflicted the fatal wound and intended to kill or cause serious harm.
Sentence
Mr Justice Paul McDermott requested probation and prison governor reports and adjourned sentencing to 7 October.
Other details
  • Defence counsel argued the eyewitness evidence was unreliable and that the circumstances were chaotic.
  • Brennan has been in Dochas women's prison since June 2022.
  • The trial heard that Brennan was going out with Narnickis and living in the same house as Viktorovs and his girlfriend Brenda Kane, and Brennan denied being jealous of Viktorovs's relationship with Kane.
24 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatNicola Brennan pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of her former lover at the Central Criminal Court. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whereThe killing happened at the home the two shared at Shillelagh, Ballyconnell, County Wicklow. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whereThe killing took place at the home they shared at Shillelagh, Ballyconnell, Co Wicklow. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenThe killing happened on 10 February 2022. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whenThe incident occurred on 10 February 2022. (irishtimes.com)
  • causeThe DPP accepted Brennan's plea that she unlawfully killed but did not murder Juris Viktorovs. (irishmirror.ie)
  • weaponA witness said she saw the accused put a knife into Viktorovs. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationGardaí were satisfied the other man in the house was not involved in the stabbing and no charges were brought against him. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationGardaí were satisfied that Viacestaus Narnickis was not involved in the stabbing and no charges were brought against him. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtBrennan had pleaded not guilty to murder in December of the previous year, and the jury could not agree a verdict after a month-long trial. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtBrennan pleaded guilty to manslaughter at the Central Criminal Court on Monday. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtMr Justice Paul McDermott adjourned the case for a sentencing hearing on 7 October. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtShe pleaded not guilty to murder in December 2023. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtAfter a month-long trial the jury could not agree a verdict. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtMr Justice McDermott said a finding of murder requires proof beyond reasonable doubt that Brennan inflicted the fatal wound and intended to kill or cause serious harm. (irishtimes.com)
  • sentenceMr Justice Paul McDermott requested probation and prison governor reports and adjourned sentencing to 7 October. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherDefence counsel argued the eyewitness evidence was unreliable and that the circumstances were chaotic. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherBrennan has been in Dochas women's prison since June 2022. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherBrennan is 33 and of no fixed abode. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherBrennan was going out with Viacestaus Narnickis and living in the same house as the deceased and his girlfriend Brenda Kane. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherBrennan denied being jealous of the deceased's relationship with Brenda Kane. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe prosecution relied on the eyewitness evidence of Brenda Kane. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherBrenda Kane said she was asleep in bed when Narnickis entered the room and asked Viktorovs to roll him a cigarette. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherKane said she saw Brennan throw something across the room before coming into the room. (irishtimes.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 10 Jun2024
    Convictedirishtimes.com, follow-up
    Woman pleads guilty to manslaughter of former lover in Co Wicklow

    Reports the guilty plea to manslaughter following a hung jury on the murder charge, the DPP's acceptance of the plea, and the adjournment for sentencing.

    convicted, Nicola Brennan, 33, female, named, irish (judged from name)Nicola Brennanvictim, Juris Viktorovs, 36, male, non-irish (judged from name)Juris Viktorovs
  2. 10 Jun2024
    Convictedirishmirror.ie, first report
    Nicola Brennan - who denied murdering ex-lover - pleads guilty to manslaughter

    Reports a guilty plea to manslaughter accepted by the DPP at the Central Criminal Court on 10 June 2024, after a murder trial ended in a jury disagreement. Sentencing is adjourned to 7 October.

    convicted, Nicola Brennan, 33, female, named, irish (judged from name)Nicola Brennanvictim, Juris Viktorovs, 36, maleJuris Viktorovs