Patrick Fitzpatrick remanded after pleading guilty to assault in Bray stabbing that killed William Moorehouse
Patrick Fitzpatrick, 33, pleaded guilty to using or threatening to use unlawful violence and producing a knife after William Moorehouse, 36, a father of seven, was stabbed to death during an organised fight involving 14 people at Ballywaltrim playground, Bray, Co Wicklow, on 19 January 2025. The murder charge against Fitzpatrick was dropped by the State. At a sentencing hearing at the Central Criminal Court on 29 July 2026, the court heard that Fitzpatrick had arranged the fight, described as a 'straightener' between two groups, and that he had 28 previous convictions. Fitzpatrick was remanded in custody until 30 October pending a probation report.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Convicted29 Jul
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Patrick Fitzpatrick, 33, pleaded guilty to using or threatening to use unlawful violence and producing a knife at Ballywaltrim playground, Bray, Co Wicklow, on 19 January 2025.
- William Moorehouse, 36, a father of seven, died after sustaining five stab wounds during the incident.
- The murder charge against Fitzpatrick was dropped by the State.
- The court heard that 14 people were involved in an organised fight described as a 'straightener' between two groups, and the entire incident lasted about two minutes.
- Fitzpatrick was driving a jeep containing a group of men with weapons, and weapons found in the abandoned jeep included knives, metal bars, rods, sticks and latex gloves.
- Fitzpatrick had 28 previous convictions.
- Fitzpatrick abandoned the jeep and later told gardaí it was stolen by Travellers.
- Where
- The incident took place at Ballywaltrim playground, Schools Road, Bray, Co Wicklow.
- When
- The incident occurred on 19 January 2025.
- In court
- At a sentencing hearing at the Central Criminal Court on 29 July 2026, Fitzpatrick was remanded in custody until 30 October pending a probation report.
12 statements extracted from the articles
- whatFitzpatrick pleaded guilty to using or threatening to use unlawful violence at Ballywaltrim playground on 19 January 2025 (irishtimes.com)
- whatFitzpatrick pleaded guilty to producing a knife (irishtimes.com)
- whatWilliam Moorehouse, 36, died after sustaining five stab wounds (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe murder charge against Fitzpatrick was dropped by the State (irishtimes.com)
- what14 people were involved in an organised fight (irishtimes.com)
- whatFitzpatrick was driving a jeep containing a group of men with weapons (irishtimes.com)
- whatWeapons found in the abandoned jeep included knives, metal bars, rods, sticks and latex gloves (irishtimes.com)
- whatFitzpatrick had 28 previous convictions (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe entire incident lasted about two minutes (irishtimes.com)
- whatFitzpatrick abandoned the jeep and later told gardaí it was stolen by Travellers (irishtimes.com)
- whatMoorehouse was a father of seven (irishtimes.com)
- whereFitzpatrick's address is Sunset View, Corran, Leap, Co Cork (irishtimes.com)
The reporting
newest first- 29 Jul2026Man arranged ‘straightener’ during which father of seven was stabbed to death, court hears
Sentencing hearing at the Central Criminal Court where Fitzpatrick pleaded guilty to unlawful violence and producing a knife; the murder charge was dropped; the court heard detailed evidence about the organised 'straightener' fight involving 14 people; Fitzpatrick remanded in custody until 30 October pending a probation report.
victim, William Moorehouse, 36, male, irish (judged from name)William Moorehouseaccused, Patrick Fitzpatrick, 33, male, named, irish (judged from name)Patrick Fitzpatrick