Retrial date set for Aaron Connolly in Louth murder case
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 socialising with a group of around 15 young people the previous night. Aaron Connolly, a 26-year-old man from Willistown, Drumcar, was charged with his murder and pleaded not guilty. A unanimous jury found Connolly guilty in December 2022 and he was sentenced to life, but the Court of Appeal quashed the conviction in May 2026, finding the trial judge's charge to the jury lacked balance. A retrial has been ordered and is set for 23 November 2026 at the Central Criminal Court.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In court13 Dec
13 reports - Convicted15 Dec
4 reports - Sentenced20 Dec
5 reports
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.
- A group of around 15 young people had gathered in a field on the outskirts of Dunleer on the night of 25 May 2018, consuming alcohol and cannabis.
- Connolly's lawyers made a formal admission that he performed oral sex on Reilly on the night he was killed and that Reilly was still alive and standing when Connolly left.
- Charges
- Aaron Connolly, a 26-year-old man from Willistown, Drumcar, was charged with the murder and pleaded not guilty.
- Cause
- The post-mortem found the cause of death was asphyxia due to external pressure on the neck, consistent with a chokehold or rough surface implement.
- Investigation
- A penile swab of Reilly revealed human saliva with a minor DNA profile matching Connolly.
- In court
- A unanimous jury found Connolly guilty of murder on 15 December 2022 after 10 hours and 39 minutes of deliberation.
- The Court of Appeal quashed the conviction in May 2026, finding the trial judge's charge to the jury lacked balance and may have been perceived as disparaging of the defence case.
- The Court of Appeal ordered a retrial on 4 June 2026, and Mr Justice Paul McDermott set 23 November 2026 as the retrial date at the Central Criminal Court.
- Sentence
- Mr Justice Tony Hunt imposed the mandatory life sentence on 20 December 2022.
- Other details
- Connolly was granted bail on strict conditions, including living with his parents and not leaving the house unaccompanied.
- Connolly told gardaí he had taken two grammes of cocaine and half a gramme of MDMA that night.
272 statements extracted from the articles
- whatAaron Connolly is 23 years old. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- whatThe defence contends that sexual intimacy took place between Connolly and Reilly in the field. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- whatThe defence says when Connolly left, Reilly was alive and well. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- whatIn his initial statement to gardaí, Connolly said he and Reilly went in different directions at the end of the night. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- whatOn 7 December, defence lawyers told the court Connolly had oral sex with Reilly on the night he was killed. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- whatConnolly pulled down Reilly's tracksuit bottoms and placed his penis in Reilly's mouth. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- whatWhen Connolly left, Reilly was still alive and standing up. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- whatAn immunological test on a penile swab of Reilly revealed human saliva that was a mixture of two people. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- whatThe major saliva sample was Reilly's own and the minor was an incomplete profile matching Connolly's DNA. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- whatState Pathologist Linda Mulligan conducted the postmortem on Reilly on 26 May 2018. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- whatDr Alan Moran pronounced the 18-year-old dead at the scene. (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe defence said Connolly performed oral sex on Reilly and Reilly was still alive and standing when Connolly left. (irishtimes.com)
- whatCameron Reilly was 18 years old at the time of his death (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- whatCameron Reilly was a DKIT student (dundalkdemocrat.ie, irishmirror.ie)
- whatAaron Connolly was 23 years old at the time of the trial (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- whatConnolly told gardaí he had taken two grammes of cocaine and half a gramme of MDMA (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- whatAaron Connolly is 23 years old and from Willistown, Drumcar. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatCameron Reilly was an 18-year-old DKIT student. (irishmirror.ie, dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- whatA group of around 15 young people gathered in the field and consumed alcohol and cannabis. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatThe defence made a proof by formal admission that Connolly performed oral sex on Reilly and that Reilly was still alive and standing when Connolly left. (irishmirror.ie, thejournal.ie)
- whatConnolly told officers he had taken two grammes of cocaine and half a gramme of MDMA. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatConnolly denied anything sexual happened and told gardaí he was straight. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatA penile swab of Reilly revealed human saliva that was a mixture of two people, with the minor profile matching Connolly's DNA. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatFriends of Reilly said he had confided in them that he was bisexual shortly before his death. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatJack Conway testified that he and Connolly had sexual relations as teenagers and had about 20 sexual encounters. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatConway said Connolly would tell people he was straight. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatA group of around 15 young people gathered in the field and alcohol and cannabis were consumed. (thejournal.ie)
- whatThe group went to a local takeaway for food shortly after midnight before moving away at 12.40am. (thejournal.ie)
- whatConnolly told gardaí he had taken two grams of cocaine and half a gram of MDMA. (thejournal.ie)
- whatFriends of Reilly gave evidence that the teenager had confided in them that he was bisexual shortly before his death. (thejournal.ie)
- whatJack Conway testified that he and Connolly had sexual relations on a number of occasions as teenagers and about 20 sexual encounters subsequently. (thejournal.ie)
- whatThe group were drinking in a field and left around midnight to get food from a takeaway. (rte.ie)
- whatCameron Reilly returned to the field where his body was found the following morning. (rte.ie)
- whatConnolly was among those in the group that night and had returned to the field with Mr Reilly. (rte.ie)
- whatConnolly initially told gardaí they had gone their separate ways and he did not look back. (rte.ie)
- whatAfter the trial began, Connolly admitted there had been sexual activity between him and Mr Reilly. (rte.ie)
- whatCameron was socialising with a group of around 15 friends in a field on the night of 25 May 2018 (irishtimes.com)
- whatCameron Reilly was 18 years old at the time of his murder. (thejournal.ie)
- whatAaron Connolly was 23 at the time of sentencing. (thejournal.ie)
- whatCameron had been socialising with a group of around 15 friends in a field just outside Dunleer on the night. (thejournal.ie)
- whatConnolly told investigating officers he had taken two grammes of cocaine and half a gramme of MDMA. (thejournal.ie, irishmirror.ie)
- whatLawyers for Connolly made a formal admission that he had oral sex with the victim on the night he was killed. (thejournal.ie)
- whatConnolly claimed that when he left, Cameron was still alive and standing up. (thejournal.ie)
- whatConnolly denied that anything sexual happened between him and Reilly and told gardaí he was straight. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatLawyers for Connolly made a formal admission to the court that he had oral sex with Reilly on the night he was killed. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatReilly had been socialising with a group of around 15 friends in a field just outside Dunleer on the night of 25 May 2018. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatSome of the group went to a local takeaway to get food shortly after midnight before Reilly and Connolly returned to the field. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatConnolly has appealed his murder conviction. (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 body was found in a field at Shamrock Hill, Dunleer, Co Louth. (rte.ie)
- whereAaron Connolly is from Willistown, Drumcar. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- whereCameron Reilly's body was found in a field at Shamrock Hill, Dunleer. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- whereCameron Reilly's body was found in a field at Shamrock Hill, Dunleer on 26 May 2018. (irishtimes.com)
- whereCameron Reilly was found dead in a field at Shamrock Hill, Dunleer, County Louth (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- whereCameron Reilly's body was found in a field in Dunleer, Co Louth. (rte.ie)
- whereThe murder took place at Shamrock Hill, Dunleer, Co Louth (irishtimes.com, thejournal.ie, dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- whereConnolly is from Willistown, Drumcar, Co Louth. (thejournal.ie, irishtimes.com)
- 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)
- 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)
- 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 body of Cameron Reilly was found in a field on the morning of 26 May 2018. (rte.ie)
- whenThe verdict was returned on 15 December 2022 (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- whenCameron Reilly was found dead on 26 May 2018 (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- whenThe group went to a local takeaway shortly after midnight and moved away at 12.40am. (irishmirror.ie)
- whenCameron Reilly had been out socialising with friends on the night of 25 May 2018 at a field just outside Dunleer. (thejournal.ie)
- whenCameron Reilly had been out with a group of friends in Dunleer on 25 May 2018. (rte.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 with no other contributing factors. (irishtimes.com, rte.ie, thejournal.ie)
- causeThe pathologist found abrasions, bruising and deep bruising around the neck and hyoid bone (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- causeThe pathologist found abrasions, bruising, and deep bruising around the neck and hyoid bone consistent with external pressure. (irishmirror.ie, thejournal.ie)
- causeThere were no obvious ligature marks or circular bruises; injuries were more in keeping with a chokehold or rough surface implement. (irishmirror.ie)
- causeThe cause of death was asphyxiation from pressure to his neck. (rte.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)
- investigationA penile swab of Reilly revealed human saliva with a minor profile matching Connolly's DNA (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- investigationConnolly's DNA was found on the body of Mr Reilly. (rte.ie)
- investigationA postmortem was carried out by Chief State Pathologist Linda Mulligan (irishtimes.com)
- investigationThe postmortem was carried out by Chief State Pathologist Linda Mulligan. (thejournal.ie)
- 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)
- chargeAaron Connolly pleaded not guilty to the murder of Cameron Reilly. (rte.ie)
- chargeConnolly pleaded not guilty to the murder of Cameron Reilly, 18. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- chargeAaron Connolly of Willistown, Drumcar had pleaded not guilty to the murder. (thejournal.ie)
- chargeConnolly had pleaded not guilty to the murder of Cameron Reilly at Shamrock Hill, Dunleer on 26 May 2018. (rte.ie)
- chargeConnolly pleaded not guilty to the murder of Cameron Reilly (irishtimes.com, 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)
- courtThe jury began deliberations at the Central Criminal Court on Tuesday morning and had been deliberating for three hours and 13 minutes. (irishtimes.com)
- courtMr Justice Tony Hunt sent the jury home just after 4pm after the foreman confirmed they had not reached a verdict. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe jury is required to be unanimous in its verdict. (irishtimes.com)
- courtA jury at the Central Criminal Court has begun deliberating in the trial. (rte.ie)
- courtThe jury at the Central Criminal Court has begun deliberating in the trial. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- courtMr Justice Tony Hunt concluded his charge to the jury. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- courtThe jury consists of seven women and five men. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- courtThe judge directed the jury to be unanimous in their decision. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- courtThe judge said the first part of the defence case (sexual intimacy) is accepted. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- courtMichael Bowman SC made a proof by formal admission to the court on behalf of Connolly. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- courtThe jury continued deliberations for a third day on Thursday. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe jury had technical difficulties viewing CCTV footage. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe jury requested transcripts from witnesses including Jean Lynch and Dr Alan Moore. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe jury had been deliberating for a total of seven hours and 28 minutes. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe jury was to recommence deliberations at 10.30am on Thursday. (irishtimes.com)
- courtAaron Connolly was found guilty of the murder of Cameron Reilly (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- courtThe jury returned a unanimous verdict (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- courtThe jury deliberated for a total of 10 hours and 39 minutes (dundalkdemocrat.ie, irishmirror.ie)
- courtThe jury was on its third day of deliberations (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- courtAaron Connolly pleaded not guilty to the murder charge (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- courtThe defence said Connolly performed oral sex on Reilly and Reilly was still alive and standing when he left (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- courtMr Justice Tony Hunt exempted the jury from jury duty for 15 years (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- courtThe jury consisted of seven women and five men (dundalkdemocrat.ie, irishmirror.ie)
- courtA man was found guilty of murdering teenager Cameron Reilly (extra.ie)
- courtThe verdict was unanimous. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtMr Justice Tony Hunt presided over the trial. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtEach juror was exempted from jury duty for 15 years. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtThe jury returned a unanimous guilty verdict on 15 December 2022. (thejournal.ie)
- courtThe jury had been deliberating for a total of 10 hours and 39 minutes. (thejournal.ie)
- courtJustice Tony Hunt exempted each juror from jury duty for 15 years. (thejournal.ie)
- courtAaron Connolly was found guilty by a jury on 15 December 2022. (rte.ie)
- courtMr Justice Tony Hunt imposed the mandatory life sentence for murder. (rte.ie)
- courtMr Justice Tony Hunt handed down the mandatory life sentence (irishtimes.com)
- courtA jury unanimously found Connolly guilty of murder on 15 December after ten and a half hours of deliberations (irishtimes.com)
- courtA jury unanimously found Connolly guilty of murder on 15 December 2022 after more than ten and a half hours of deliberations. (thejournal.ie)
- courtA jury unanimously found Connolly guilty of murder on 15 December 2022 after just over ten and a half hours of deliberations. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtConnolly had pleaded not guilty to the murder charge. (irishmirror.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)
- sentenceAaron Connolly was sentenced to life in jail for the murder of Cameron Reilly. (rte.ie)
- sentenceAaron Connolly was sentenced to life in prison (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceMr Justice Tony Hunt handed down a mandatory life sentence at the Central Criminal Court. (thejournal.ie)
- sentenceAaron Connolly was sentenced to life in prison for the murder of Cameron Reilly. (irishmirror.ie)
- sentenceAaron Connolly was sentenced to life imprisonment (extra.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)
- otherThe defence contends that sexual intimacy took place between Connolly and Reilly in the field and that Reilly was alive and well when Connolly left. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe prosecution case is that the sex, the DNA evidence and the lies are interlinked and not a matter of coincidence. (irishtimes.com)
- otherDefence counsel Michael Bowman SC told the court that Connolly had oral sex with Reilly on the night of the murder. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe injuries were more in keeping with a chokehold or the application of a rough surface implement to the neck. (irishtimes.com, rte.ie, dundalkdemocrat.ie, thejournal.ie)
- otherBowman said if the case reduces to the propositions advanced by the prosecution, the only verdict is not guilty. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe jury consists of seven women and five men and must be unanimous. (rte.ie)
- otherThe defence contends that sexual intimacy took place between Connolly and Reilly and that Reilly was alive and well when Connolly left. (rte.ie)
- otherThe prosecution case is that the sex, DNA evidence and lies are interlinked, not a coincidence. (rte.ie, dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- otherIn his initial statement to gardaí, Connolly said he and Reilly went in different directions and he never looked back. (rte.ie)
- otherDefence lawyers told the court the accused had oral sex with Reilly on the night he was killed. (rte.ie)
- otherAn immunological test on a penile swab of Reilly revealed human saliva that was a mixture of two people, with the minor profile matching Connolly's DNA. (rte.ie)
- otherThe post-mortem found abrasions, bruising, and deep bruising around the neck and the hyoid bone. (rte.ie)
- otherThere were no obvious ligature marks or circular bruises identified. (rte.ie)
- otherProsecuting counsel Dean Kelly SC contended Connolly had lied from the beginning to the end of the investigation. (rte.ie)
- otherDefence counsel Michael Bowman SC said strategic lies were told by several young people present on the night. (rte.ie)
- otherCameron Reilly was an only child and the first grandchild in his family. (rte.ie)
- otherCameron Reilly was a student. (rte.ie)
- otherProsecuting counsel was Dean Kelly. (rte.ie)
- otherDefence counsel was Michael Bowman. (rte.ie)
- otherConnolly told gardai he had taken two grammes of cocaine and half a gramme of MDMA (irishtimes.com)
- otherConnolly's lawyers made a formal admission that he had oral sex with Reilly on the night he was killed (irishtimes.com)
- otherConnolly claimed that when he left, Reilly was still alive and standing up (irishtimes.com, irishmirror.ie)
- otherThe day before he died, Cameron had been asked to be godfather to his new baby cousin (irishtimes.com)
- otherCameron Reilly's family issued a public statement (extra.ie)
- otherCameron Reilly's family described him as 'The Apple Of Our Eye' (extra.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)
- 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 - 20 Dec2022'The Apple Of Our Eye' -- Family Of Cameron Reilly Give Statement As Aaron Connolly Gets Life
Reports that Aaron Connolly received a life sentence and that Cameron Reilly's family issued a public statement.
victim, Cameron Reilly, irish (judged from name)Cameron Reillyconvicted, Aaron Connolly, named, irish (judged from name)Aaron Connolly - 20 Dec2022Aaron Connolly sentenced to life as murder as victim's family 'hearts broken'
Reports the mandatory life sentence handed down by Mr Justice Tony Hunt, the unanimous jury verdict on 15 December 2022 after ten and a half hours of deliberation, the cause of death (asphyxia due to external pressure on the neck), Connolly's admission of taking cocaine and MDMA, the formal admission of oral sex, and the victim impact statement from the family.
victim, Cameron Reilly, 18, male, irish (judged from name)Cameron Reillyconvicted, Aaron Connolly, 23, male, named, irish (judged from name)Aaron Connolly - 20 Dec2022Cameron Reilly's murderer given life sentence as family tell of agony over 'what might have been'
Reports the sentencing: mandatory life sentence handed down by Mr Justice Tony Hunt at the Central Criminal Court on 20 December 2022, with details of the victim impact statement by uncle Darren Flanagan, the cause of death (asphyxia due to external pressure on the neck), Connolly's drug use (two grammes of cocaine and half a gramme of MDMA), and a formal admission of oral sex with the victim.
victim, Cameron Reilly, 18, male, irish (judged from name)Cameron Reillyconvicted, Aaron Connolly, 23, male, named, irish (judged from name)Aaron Connolly - 20 Dec2022Aaron Connolly sentenced for murder of Cameron Reilly (18) in Co Louth
Reports the mandatory life sentence handed down by Mr Justice Tony Hunt, the victim impact statement by Cameron's uncle Darren Flanagan, and trial evidence including Connolly's drug use, his 'missing hour' account, and the formal admission of oral sex between the two men.
victim, Cameron Reilly, 18, male, irish (judged from name)Cameron Reillyconvicted, Aaron Connolly, 23, male, named, irish (judged from name)Aaron Connolly - 20 Dec2022Man sentenced to life in jail for Cameron Reilly murder
Reports the sentencing: Connolly found guilty by jury on 15 December 2022 and sentenced to life by Mr Justice Tony Hunt on 20 December 2022. Includes victim impact statement from the Reilly family, details of the night of the murder, cause of death (asphyxiation from pressure to neck), and Connolly's admission of sexual activity with the victim made on the day his DNA was revealed on the body.
victim, Cameron Reilly, 18, male, irish (judged from name)Cameron Reillyconvicted, Aaron Connolly, 23, male, named, irish (judged from name)Aaron Connolly - 15 Dec2022Aaron Connolly found guilty of murdering teenager Cameron Reilly
Reports the unanimous guilty verdict and provides detailed trial evidence including the cause of death (asphyxia due to external pressure on the neck), forensic DNA evidence on a penile swab, the defence proof by formal admission of oral sex, Connolly's 'missing hour' and drug use, and closing arguments from both prosecuting counsel Dean Kelly SC and defence counsel Michael Bowman SC.
victim, Cameron Reilly, 18, male, irish (judged from name)Cameron Reillyconvicted, Aaron Connolly, 23, male, named, irish (judged from name)Aaron Connolly - 15 Dec2022Aaron Connolly found guilty of the murder of teenager Cameron Reilly
Unanimous guilty verdict returned after 10 hours 39 minutes of deliberation over three days. Cause of death confirmed as asphyxia due to external pressure on the neck. Defence made a proof by formal admission that Connolly performed oral sex on Reilly before leaving him alive. Prosecution argued Connolly lied throughout the investigation; defence argued strategic lies were common among the young people present.
victim, Cameron Reilly, 18, male, irish (judged from name)Cameron Reillyconvicted, Aaron Connolly, 23, male, named, irish (judged from name)Aaron Connolly - 15 Dec2022Man Found Guilty Of Murdering Teenager Cameron Reilly
Reports that the accused was found guilty of the murder of Cameron Reilly.
victim, Cameron Reilly, irish (judged from name)Cameron Reillyconvicted, male - 15 Dec2022Aaron Connolly found guilty of the murder of Louth teenager Cameron Reilly
Reports the guilty verdict returned on 15 December 2022 after 10 hours and 39 minutes of deliberation, including trial evidence on cause of death, forensic DNA evidence, and defence claims.
victim, Cameron Reilly, 18, male, irish (judged from name)Cameron Reillyconvicted, Aaron Connolly, 23, male, named, irish (judged from name)Aaron Connolly - 14 Dec2022Jury in Aaron Connolly murder trial to continue deliberations on Thursday
Details of jury deliberations (seven hours and 28 minutes), technical difficulties with CCTV footage, request for witness transcripts, closing statements from prosecuting counsel Dean Kelly SC and defence counsel Michael Bowman SC, and the judge's charge to the jury.
victim, Cameron Reilly, 18, male, irish (judged from name)Cameron Reillyaccused, Aaron Connolly, 23, male, named, irish (judged from name)Aaron Connolly - 13 Dec2022Jury begins deliberations in Aaron Connolly murder trial
Reports that the jury has begun deliberations, details the judge's charge requiring a unanimous verdict, the prosecution and defence closing arguments, and trial evidence from forensic scientist Dr Clara Bolland (DNA/saliva evidence) and State Pathologist Dr Linda Mulligan (cause of death: asphyxia due to external pressure on the neck, consistent with a chokehold).
victim, Cameron Reilly, 18, male, irish (judged from name)Cameron Reillyaccused, Aaron Connolly, 23, male, named, irish (judged from name)Aaron Connolly - 13 Dec2022Jury begins deliberations in Louth murder trial
Jury has begun deliberations. Article details the judge's charge, the prosecution and defence closing arguments, forensic DNA evidence from Dr Clara Bolland, and the post-mortem findings from State Pathologist Dr Linda Mulligan identifying asphyxia due to external pressure on the neck as the cause of death.
victim, Cameron Reilly, 18, male, irish (judged from name)Cameron Reillyaccused, Aaron Connolly, 23, male, named, irish (judged from name)Aaron Connolly - 13 Dec2022‘Strategic lies’ do not mean Aaron Connolly is guilty of murder, defence says
Details the judge's charge to the jury, the prosecution and defence closing arguments, forensic DNA evidence from Dr Clara Boland, and the postmortem findings from Dr Linda Mulligan confirming death by asphyxia due to external pressure on the neck.
victim, Cameron Reilly, 18, male, irish (judged from name)Cameron Reillyaccused, Aaron Connolly, 23, male, named, irish (judged from name)Aaron Connolly