Ireland Case No. 0739Murder · Co. Louth · 26 May 2018
Retrial date set for Louth murder of Cameron Reilly
Cameron Reilly, an 18-year-old DKIT student, was found dead in a field at Shamrock Hill, Dunleer, Co Louth on 26 May 2018 after a group of about 15 young people gathered there the previous night. Aaron Connolly, a 26-year-old man from Willistown, Drumcar, Co Louth, was charged with his murder and pleaded not guilty. A unanimous jury found Connolly guilty in December 2022 and he received a mandatory life sentence. In May 2026 the Court of Appeal quashed the conviction, finding the trial judge's charge to the jury lacked balance, and on 4 June 2026 ordered a retrial. On 24 June 2026, Mr Justice Paul McDermott set the retrial for 23 November 2026 at the Central Criminal Court.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In court25 Jun
9 reports - Verdict
- Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Cameron Reilly, an 18-year-old DKIT student, was found dead in a field at Shamrock Hill, Dunleer, Co Louth on 26 May 2018.
- Where
- A group of about 15 young people had gathered in a field on the outskirts of Dunleer on the night of 25 May 2018.
- Cause
- The cause of death was asphyxia due to external pressure on the neck, with no other contributing factors.
- Charges
- Aaron Connolly, a 26-year-old man from Willistown, Drumcar, Co Louth, was charged with the murder of Cameron Reilly and pleaded not guilty.
- In court
- A unanimous jury found Connolly guilty in December 2022 before Mr Justice Tony Hunt, and he received a mandatory life sentence.
- In May 2026 the Court of Appeal quashed the conviction, finding the trial judge's charge to the jury lacked balance and may have been perceived as disparaging of the defence case.
- On 4 June 2026 the Court of Appeal ordered a retrial, and on 24 June 2026 Mr Justice Paul McDermott set the retrial for 23 November 2026 at the Central Criminal Court.
- Other details
- Connolly made admissions through his lawyers during the trial that he performed oral sex on Reilly on the night he was killed.
- Connolly spent over three years in prison before his conviction was quashed.
- Connolly was remanded on bail on strict conditions, including living with his parents and not leaving the house unaccompanied.
135 statements extracted from the articles
- whatConnolly has appealed his murder conviction. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- whatCameron Reilly was an 18-year-old DkIT student. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- whatAaron Connolly's conviction for the murder of Cameron Reilly has been quashed on appeal. (thejournal.ie)
- whatConnolly had pleaded not guilty to the murder. (thejournal.ie, dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- whatAaron Connolly's conviction for the murder of Cameron Reilly was quashed on appeal. (rte.ie)
- whatCameron Reilly, aged 18, was murdered. (rte.ie)
- whatThe victim was 18-year-old Cameron Reilly, a DKIT student. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- whatCameron Reilly had been part of a group of around 15 young people who gathered in a field on the outskirts of the town on the night of May 25. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- whatThe Court of Appeal ordered a retrial of Aaron Connolly. (thejournal.ie, dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- whatCameron Reilly, aged 18, was murdered at Shamrock Hill, Dunleer, Co Louth. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- whatCameron Reilly was a Dundalk Institute of Technology student. (irishtimes.com)
- whatConnolly made admissions through his lawyers that he performed oral sex on Reilly on the night he was killed. (irishtimes.com)
- whatReilly was part of a group of around 15 young people who gathered in a field on the outskirts of the town on the night of 25 May 2018. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatConnolly pleaded not guilty to the murder of 18-year-old Cameron Reilly at Shamrock Hill, Dunleer, Co Louth on 26 May 2018. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatMr Reilly's body was found in a field the following morning by a man out walking his dog. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- whatDuring his trial, Mr Connolly made admissions through his lawyers that he performed oral sex on Cameron Reilly on the night he was killed. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- whereThe killing happened at Shamrock Hill, Dunleer, Co Louth. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- whereReilly's body was found in a field the following morning. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- whereCameron Reilly was killed at Shamrock Hill, Dunleer, Co Louth. (thejournal.ie)
- whereThe murder took place at Shamrock Hill, Dunleer, County Louth. (rte.ie)
- whereThe murder took place at Shamrock Hill, Dunleer, Co Louth. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- whereReilly and others gathered in a field on the outskirts of Dunleer. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- whereThe killing took place at Shamrock Hill, Dunleer, County Louth. (thejournal.ie)
- whereCameron Reilly died in Dunleer, Co Louth. (rte.ie)
- whereA group of about 15 young people gathered in a field on the outskirts of Dunleer on the night of May 25th, 2018. (irishtimes.com)
- whereConnolly is from Willistown, Drumcar, Co Louth. (irishtimes.com)
- whereCameron Reilly's body was found in a field in Dunleer. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- whereA group of about 15 young people gathered in a field on the outskirts of Dunleer on the night of 25 May 2018. (irishtimes.com)
- whereConnolly is from Willistown, Drumcar. (irishtimes.com, irishmirror.ie)
- whereThe killing took place at Shamrock Hill, Dunleer, Co Louth. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- whenThe killing happened on 26 May 2018. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- whenThe murder took place on 26 May 2018. (thejournal.ie, dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- whenCameron Reilly was last seen with a group gathered in a field on the night of 25 May. (rte.ie)
- whenCameron Reilly, 18, was murdered at Shamrock Hill, Dunleer, Co Louth, on May 26, 2018. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- whenMr Reilly was in Dunleer on 25 May 2018 with a group that included Connolly. (rte.ie)
- whenThe killing took place on May 26, 2018. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- whenCameron Reilly was murdered on 26 May 2018. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- whenThe killing is alleged to have occurred on May 26, 2018. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- causeThe cause of death was asphyxia due to external pressure on the neck. (dundalkdemocrat.ie, thejournal.ie, rte.ie)
- causeThe Chief State Pathologist said the cause of death was asphyxia due to external pressure on the neck with no other contributing factors. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- causeThe conviction was quashed because of remarks by the trial judge that may have been seen by the jury as mocking the defence case. (thejournal.ie)
- causeThe post-mortem found the cause of death was asphyxia due to external pressure on the neck. (thejournal.ie)
- causeThe prosecution case was that Connolly strangled Mr Reilly. (rte.ie)
- causeA post-mortem found Mr Reilly died from asphyxia from pressure to his neck. (rte.ie)
- causeThere were no other contributing factors to the death. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationMr Connolly initially denied anything sexual happened between him and Mr Reilly on the night. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- investigationMr Reilly's body was found the next morning by a local man walking his dog. (rte.ie)
- investigationConnolly's DNA was found on Mr Reilly's body. (rte.ie)
- investigationConnolly told gardaí he and Mr Reilly had gone their separate ways at the end of the night. (rte.ie)
- chargeConnolly pleaded not guilty to the murder of Cameron Reilly. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- chargeConnolly pleaded not guilty to the murder of 18-year-old Reilly at Shamrock Hill, Dunleer, Co Louth on May 26th, 2018. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeMr Connolly pleaded not guilty to the murder of Cameron Reilly. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- courtA unanimous jury found Connolly guilty in December 2022. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- courtThe trial judge was Mr Justice Tony Hunt. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- courtThe appeal was heard at the Court of Appeal on Tuesday. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- courtThe defence argued the trial judge was disparaging and denigrating toward its case. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- courtThe Court of Appeal reserved its judgment for a later date. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- courtConnolly was found guilty by a unanimous jury verdict in December 2022. (thejournal.ie, rte.ie, dundalkdemocrat.ie, irishtimes.com)
- courtThe Court of Appeal found that the trial judge's charge to the jury lacked balance. (thejournal.ie, rte.ie)
- courtThe Director of Public Prosecutions is to decide whether to apply for a retrial of the accused. (thejournal.ie)
- courtThe matter has been adjourned to 4 June. (thejournal.ie)
- courtThe Director of Public Prosecutions will decide whether to apply for a retrial. (rte.ie)
- courtThe matter has gone back to 4 June. (rte.ie)
- courtA jury found Connolly guilty by a unanimous verdict in December 2022. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- courtThe Court of Appeal found that the trial judge's jury charge lacked balance. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- courtConnolly pleaded not guilty to the murder. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- courtThe Court of Appeal found the trial judge's charge to the jury lacked balance. (dundalkdemocrat.ie, rte.ie)
- courtConnolly's conviction has been quashed on appeal. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- courtThe DPP will now decide whether to apply for a retrial of Connolly. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- courtThe DPP's counsel said the director's view was that a retrial should be ordered. (thejournal.ie)
- courtMr Justice John Edwards said he was disposed to direct the retrial. (thejournal.ie)
- courtConnolly was remanded in custody to appear before the Central Criminal Court on Friday morning. (thejournal.ie, dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- courtThe Court of Appeal quashed the murder conviction and directed a retrial. (rte.ie)
- courtThe Director of Public Prosecutions said a retrial should be directed. (rte.ie)
- courtConnolly was remanded in custody and is due at the Central Criminal Court. (rte.ie)
- courtConnolly's murder conviction was quashed because of remarks by the trial judge that may have been perceived by the jury as mocking the defence case. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- courtMr Justice Edwards said he was disposed to direct the retrial. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- courtThe Court of Appeal ordered the retrial of Aaron Connolly. (irishtimes.com)
- courtJudge John Edwards said he was disposed to direct the retrial. (irishtimes.com)
- courtConnolly was remanded in custody to appear before the Central Criminal Court on Friday. (irishtimes.com)
- courtMichael Bowman SC represented Connolly in launching the appeal against the conviction. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe Court of Appeal found the trial judge's remarks may have been perceived by the jury as disparaging of the defence case. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- courtThe Court of Appeal quashed the murder conviction and ordered a retrial. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- courtConnolly was granted bail on strict conditions, including living with his parents and not leaving the house unaccompanied. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- courtThe matter was adjourned to 24 June, when Connolly will be given a date for his second trial. (dundalkdemocrat.ie, irishtimes.com)
- courtAaron Connolly was granted bail at the Central Criminal Court after his conviction was quashed. (irishtimes.com)
- courtJudge Paul McDermott remanded Connolly on bail on strict conditions including living with his parents and not leaving the house unaccompanied. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe Court of Appeal quashed Connolly's conviction in May 2026 and ordered a retrial on the murder charge. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtMr Justice Paul McDermott set 23 November as the retrial date at the Central Criminal Court. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtA case management date of 24 July 2026 was set. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtThe first trial lasted three weeks and the retrial is expected to go into a fourth week. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtThe Court of Appeal ordered the retrial on 4 June 2026. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtThe appeal court found the trial judge's remarks may have been perceived as disparaging of the defence and advocacy for the prosecution. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtConnolly was remanded on bail on strict conditions including living with his parents and not leaving the house unaccompanied. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtConnolly was found guilty by a jury verdict in December 2022. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtThe original trial judge was Mr Justice Tony Hunt. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtThe appeal court found the judge's charge contained comments of such stridency and emphasis that there was a real possibility the jury could have perceived he was personally convinced of the accused's guilt. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtMr Connolly was found guilty by a unanimous jury verdict in December 2022. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- courtThe Court of Appeal found that the trial judge's charge to the jury contained comments of such stridency and emphasis that there was a real possibility the jury could have perceived he was personally convinced of the accused's guilt. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- courtThe Court of Appeal quashed the conviction in May. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- courtThe Court of Appeal ordered the retrial on June 4 this year. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- courtThe Court of Appeal ordered that Mr Connolly be retried on the murder charge. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- courtThe retrial was set for November 23 before a jury at the Central Criminal Court. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- courtThe defence said the retrial would go into a fourth week, while the first trial lasted three weeks. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- courtA management date of July 24 was set for the case. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- courtMr Connolly was remanded on bail on strict conditions. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- courtBail conditions require Mr Connolly to live with his parents and not leave the house unaccompanied. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- sentenceConnolly is serving a life sentence. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- sentenceConnolly spent over three years in jail serving a life sentence. (rte.ie)
- sentenceConnolly has spent over three years serving a life sentence. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- sentenceConnolly has spent over three years in jail serving a life sentence for the murder. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- sentenceConnolly was found guilty by a unanimous jury verdict in December 2022 and received a mandatory life sentence. (thejournal.ie, dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- sentenceConnolly was jailed for life in December 2022 after a jury found him guilty of murder. (rte.ie)
- sentenceConnolly received a mandatory life sentence. (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceConnolly was found guilty of murder by a unanimous jury verdict in December 2022 and received a mandatory life sentence. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- sentenceConnolly received the mandatory life sentence. (irishmirror.ie)
- sentenceMr Connolly received the mandatory life sentence after his 2022 conviction. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- otherConnolly made admissions through his lawyers that he performed oral sex on Cameron Reilly on the night he was killed. (rte.ie, dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- otherThe conviction was quashed. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- otherThe DPP must now decide whether to apply for a retrial. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- otherConnolly spent three years in jail before his conviction was quashed. (dundalkdemocrat.ie, irishtimes.com)
- otherConnolly is now aged 26. (dundalkdemocrat.ie, irishtimes.com)
- otherConnolly's lawyers admitted that he performed oral sex on Cameron Reilly on the night he was killed. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- otherConnolly initially denied that anything sexual happened between him and Reilly on May 25th/26th, 2018. (irishtimes.com)
- otherOn the seventh day of the trial, Connolly made admissions through his lawyers that he performed oral sex on Cameron Reilly on the night he was killed. (irishtimes.com)
- otherConnolly said that when he left, Reilly was still alive and standing up. (irishtimes.com)
- otherFriends of Reilly gave evidence that he had confided in them that he was bisexual shortly before his death. (irishtimes.com)
- otherA witness said he and Connolly had sexual relations on numerous occasions when they were teenagers. (irishtimes.com)
- otherReilly was a Dundalk Institute of Technology student. (irishtimes.com)
- otherAlcohol and cannabis were consumed by some of those present. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe group went to a local takeaway to get food shortly after midnight. (irishtimes.com)
- otherCameron Reilly was a DKIT student. (dundalkdemocrat.ie, irishmirror.ie)
- otherAround 15 young people gathered in a field on the outskirts of the town on the night of the killing. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- otherSome people at the gathering consumed alcohol and cannabis. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- otherConnolly spent three years in prison before his conviction was quashed. (irishmirror.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 24 Jun2026Louth man to be retried for murder after conviction quashed on appeal
Reports the Court of Appeal quashing the 2022 murder conviction and ordering a retrial, the retrial date of November 23, the management date of July 24, and Mr Connolly's bail conditions.
accused, Aaron Connolly, 26, male, named, irish (judged from name)Aaron Connollyvictim, Cameron Reilly, 18, male, irish (judged from name)Cameron Reilly - 24 Jun2026Aaron Connolly, whose conviction for murdering teen was quashed, will be retried
Retrial date of 23 November 2026 set by Mr Justice Paul McDermott; case management date of 24 July 2026 also set. Connolly remanded on bail on strict conditions including living with his parents and not leaving the house unaccompanied.
victim, Cameron Reilly, 18, male, irish (judged from name)Cameron Reillyaccused, Aaron Connolly, 26, male, named, irish (judged from name)Aaron Connolly - 5 Jun2026Aaron Connolly granted bail after quashing of conviction for Cameron Reilly murder
Reports the quashing of Connolly's conviction by the Court of Appeal, his remand on bail at the Central Criminal Court, and the adjournment to 24 June for a retrial date. Provides background on the original incident, trial, and the appeal court's reasoning.
victim, Cameron Reilly, 18, male, irish (judged from name)Cameron Reillyaccused, Aaron Connolly, 26, male, named, irish (judged from name)Aaron Connolly - 5 Jun2026Aaron Connolly granted bail following quashing of conviction for murder
Court of Appeal quashed the murder conviction and ordered a retrial. Connolly was granted bail on strict conditions and the matter was adjourned to 24 June for a retrial date.
victim, Cameron Reilly, 18, male, irish (judged from name)Cameron Reillyaccused, Aaron Connolly, 26, male, named, irish (judged from name)Aaron Connolly - 4 Jun2026Retrial ordered for Aaron Connolly after Cameron Reilly murder conviction quashed
Provides detailed account of the Court of Appeal's reasoning for ordering the retrial, including the trial judge's allegedly disparaging remarks, and extensive detail about the original 2022 trial evidence including Connolly's admissions of oral sex, Reilly's bisexuality, the group gathering in a field, and the cause of death as asphyxia.
victim, Cameron Reilly, 18, male, irish (judged from name)Cameron Reillysuspect, Aaron Connolly, 26, male, named, irish (judged from name)Aaron Connolly - 4 Jun2026Retrial ordered for Louth man accused of Cameron Reilly murder
Court of Appeal ordered a retrial after quashing the 2022 murder conviction; Connolly was remanded in custody to appear before the Central Criminal Court.
accused, Aaron Connolly, 26, male, named, irish (judged from name)Aaron Connollyvictim, Cameron Reilly, 18, male, irish (judged from name)Cameron Reilly - 4 Jun2026Connolly to face retrial for murder of Cameron Reilly
Reports that the Court of Appeal quashed Connolly's 2022 murder conviction because the trial judge's charge to the jury lacked balance, and that a retrial has been directed. Connolly was remanded in custody and is due at the Central Criminal Court.
accused, Aaron Connolly, male, named, irish (judged from name)Aaron Connollyvictim, Cameron Reilly, 18, male, irish (judged from name)Cameron Reilly - 1 Jun2026Retrial for man whose conviction for 2018 murder of teenager Cameron Reilly was quashed
Reports the Court of Appeal's order for a retrial after the conviction was quashed, the DPP's view, and Connolly's remand in custody. The earlier 2022 conviction and life sentence are background.
accused, Aaron Connolly, 26, male, named, irish (judged from name)Aaron Connollyvictim, Cameron Reilly, 18, male, irish (judged from name)Cameron Reilly - 18 May2026Man jailed for murdering Louth teenager has conviction quashed
Reports the Court of Appeal decision of 18 May 2026 quashing Aaron Connolly's conviction for murdering Cameron Reilly. No existing case in the list matched this incident. The DPP must now decide whether to seek a retrial, and the matter returns to court on June 4.
victim, Cameron Reilly, 18, male, irish (judged from name)Cameron Reillyaccused, Aaron Connolly, 26, male, named, irish (judged from name)Aaron Connolly - 18 May2026Louth man serving life sentence has his murder conviction quashed
Court of Appeal quashed the murder conviction after finding the jury charge lacked balance; the DPP must decide whether to apply for a retrial. Article is dated 18 May 2026.
convicted, Aaron Connolly, 26, male, named, irish (judged from name)Aaron Connollyvictim, Cameron Reilly, 18, male, irish (judged from name)Cameron Reilly - 18 May2026Man's conviction for Co Louth murder in 2018 quashed
The Court of Appeal quashed the murder conviction after finding the trial judge's charge lacked balance. The DPP must now decide whether to apply for a retrial, and the matter is listed to return on 4 June.
convicted, Aaron Connolly, 26, male, named, irish (judged from name)Aaron Connollyvictim, Cameron Reilly, 18, male, irish (judged from name)Cameron Reilly - 1 May2026Man's conviction for 2018 murder of teenager Cameron Reilly is quashed
Reports the Court of Appeal quashing the murder conviction, finding the trial judge's charge to the jury lacked balance. The DPP is to decide whether to apply for a retrial, and the matter has gone back to 4 June.
accused, Aaron Connolly, 26, male, named, irish (judged from name)Aaron Connollyvictim, Cameron Reilly, 18, male, irish (judged from name)Cameron Reilly - 25 Jun2025Teen killer appeals conviction for murdering friend found dead in a field in Louth
Reports the Court of Appeal hearing of Connolly's appeal against his murder conviction, including the defence's arguments about the trial judge's charge and the Section 22 admissions. Judgment was reserved, so no decision is reported.
victim, Cameron Reilly, 18, male, irish (judged from name)Cameron Reillyconvicted, Aaron Connolly, 25, male, named, irish (judged from name)Aaron Connolly