Case No. 2376Murder · Co. Dublin · 8 Feb 2025
Swiss man charged with murder of his father in Malahide, Dublin
Stephane Benz, 29, a Swiss national, was charged with the murder of his father Urz Benz, 62, at Gainsborough Lawns, Malahide, Co Dublin, on 8 February 2025. He was remanded in custody at Dublin District Court on 9 February 2025, with the matter returned to Cloverhill for a High Court bail sitting.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrested8 Feb
4 reports - Charged8 Feb
7 reports - In court
- Verdict
- Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet
Key facts
consolidated from all reports102 statements extracted from the articles
- whatHe was declared deceased at the scene (garda.ie)
- whatThe victim was a man in his 60s found unresponsive and declared deceased at the scene. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatGardaí investigating a fatal assault in Malahide, Dublin, have charged a man in his 20s. (irishtimes.com)
- whatA man in his 60s was found unresponsive at the home. (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe man was declared dead at the scene. (irishtimes.com, dublinlive.ie)
- whatA man in his late 20s was arrested in connection with the investigation. (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe victim was named Urz Benz (irishmirror.ie)
- whatThe victim was a Swiss man (irishmirror.ie)
- whatThe victim was in his 60s (irishmirror.ie)
- whatA man in his 20s known to the victim was arrested at the scene (irishmirror.ie)
- whatA confrontation is believed to have taken place before the attack (irishmirror.ie)
- whatThe incident is believed to have been witnessed by locals (irishmirror.ie)
- whatA man in his 20s was charged over the death of a man in his 60s in Malahide. (dublinlive.ie)
- whatA man in his 60s died following a fatal assault at a house in Malahide. (dublinlive.ie)
- whatStephane Benz, 29, is a Swiss national with an address at Gainsborough Lawns, Malahide, Co Dublin (irishtimes.com)
- whatStephane Benz, 29, a Swiss national, was charged with the murder of his father Urz Benz, 62. (dublinlive.ie)
- whatStephane Benz was charged with the murder of his father Urz Benz at a property in Malahide, north County Dublin. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatUrz Benz was found in an unresponsive state at the property in Malahide following a serious assault early on Saturday morning. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatUrz Benz was declared deceased at the scene. (irishmirror.ie)
- whereThe fatal assault incident occurred in Malahide, Co Dublin. (garda.ie)
- whereThe incident took place at Gainsborough Lawn, Malahide, Co Dublin (garda.ie)
- whereThe attack took place in the garden of a house on the Gainsborough Lawn estate in Malahide, North Dublin. (irishmirror.ie)
- whereGardaí attended a home in the Gainsborough Lawn area of Malahide on Saturday morning. (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe attack took place in the garden of a house on Gainsborough Lawn estate, Malahide (irishmirror.ie)
- whereThe incident occurred in the Gainsborough Lawn estate, Malahide. (dublinlive.ie)
- whereThe assault took place in the Gainsborough Lawn estate in Malahide, Co Dublin. (dublinlive.ie)
- whereThe fatal assault occurred at a property in Malahide, north County Dublin. (dublinlive.ie)
- whenThe fatal assault incident took place on 8 February 2025. (garda.ie)
- whenThe incident occurred at approximately 8.30am on Saturday 8 February 2025 (garda.ie, irishmirror.ie)
- whenThe incident occurred at around 8:30am on Saturday morning, 8 February 2025. (irishmirror.ie)
- whenThe body was removed at about 2.30pm. (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe victim had only arrived in Ireland on Friday (irishmirror.ie)
- whenThe incident occurred at around 8:30am (irishmirror.ie)
- whenThe incident took place on Saturday morning, 8 February 2025. (dublinlive.ie)
- whenThe incident occurred at around 8:30am on Saturday 8 February 2025. (dublinlive.ie)
- whenUrz Benz was found unresponsive following a serious assault early on Saturday morning. (dublinlive.ie)
- whenUrz Benz is understood to have only arrived in the country on Friday. (irishmirror.ie)
- causeA row or confrontation is believed to have preceded the attack. (irishmirror.ie)
- causeA row or confrontation took place before the attack. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationThe arrested man is detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984 (garda.ie)
- investigationThe State Pathologist has been notified and a post-mortem examination will be arranged (garda.ie)
- investigationThe scene is preserved for examination by the Garda Technical Bureau (garda.ie, irishmirror.ie)
- investigationA SIO has been appointed and an incident room established at Malahide Garda Station (garda.ie)
- investigationA family liaison officer has been assigned to support the family of the deceased (garda.ie, irishmirror.ie)
- investigationGardaí are appealing for witnesses in the Gainsborough Lawn area between 8am and 8.45am on 8 February 2025 (garda.ie)
- investigationGarda forensics examined the outside of the house, the driveway, and a car parked in the drive, taking away items in evidence bags. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationGardaí are appealing for witnesses in the Gainsborough Lawn area between 8am and 8.45am. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationThe State Pathologist was notified and a post-mortem examination will be arranged. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationA senior investigating officer was appointed and an incident room established at Malahide Garda Station. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationA family liaison officer was assigned to support the family of the deceased. (irishmirror.ie, dublinlive.ie)
- investigationA man in his 20s was arrested in connection with the investigation. (irishmirror.ie, dublinlive.ie)
- investigationThe scene was preserved for examination by the Garda Technical Bureau. (irishmirror.ie, dublinlive.ie)
- investigationGarda forensics examined the outside of the house, the driveway, and a car parked in the drive, and took away several items in evidence bags. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationGardaí appealed for witnesses in the Gainsborough Lawn area between 8am and 8:45am on 8 February. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationIndividuals with video recordings including dash cams from the area were asked to provide footage. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationThe arrested man is being questioned at a Garda station in Dublin. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationThe office of the State Pathologist has been notified and a postmortem examination will be arranged. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationGardaí are appealing for witnesses in the area of Gainsborough Lawn, Malahide, between 8am and 8.45am on Saturday. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationThe house was sealed off and forensic officers examined the scene (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationA senior investigating officer has been appointed and an incident room established at Malahide Garda Station (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationThe office of the State Pathologist has been notified and a post-mortem will be arranged (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationGardaí are appealing for witnesses who were in the area of Gainsborough Lawn between 8am and 8.45am on Saturday (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationGardaí found the deceased man unresponsive at the scene. (dublinlive.ie)
- investigationThe office of the State Pathologist was notified and a post-mortem examination will be arranged. (dublinlive.ie)
- investigationA senior investigating officer was appointed and an incident room was established at Malahide Garda Station. (dublinlive.ie)
- investigationGardaí appealed for witnesses in the Gainsborough Lawn area between 8am and 8:45am on 8 February 2025. (dublinlive.ie)
- investigationDet Garda Alan Roche of Malahide arrested Mr Benz at 1.37am on Sunday at Coolock Garda station for purpose of charge (irishtimes.com)
- investigationStephane Benz was arrested at Coolock Garda Station at 1.37am on Sunday morning. (dublinlive.ie)
- investigationThe house where the fatal attack occurred was sealed off on Saturday for forensic examination. (dublinlive.ie)
- investigationStephane Benz was arrested at Coolock Garda Station at 1.37am on Sunday morning for the purpose of charge. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationThe house where the fatal attack occurred was sealed off on Saturday as forensic officers examined the scene. (irishmirror.ie)
- chargeThe man in his 20s arrested in connection with the investigation has been charged. (garda.ie)
- chargeThe man in his 20s has been charged in connection with the death (irishmirror.ie)
- chargeHe was charged at 1.57am (irishtimes.com)
- chargeHe was charged at 10.20am with the murder of Urz Benz, 62, at Gainsborough Lawns on 8 February 2025 (irishtimes.com)
- chargeAn earlier manslaughter charge sheet had been withdrawn (irishtimes.com)
- chargeHe was initially charged with manslaughter at 1.57am before being charged with murder at 10.20am. (dublinlive.ie)
- chargeThe manslaughter charge was withdrawn and the murder charge continued. (dublinlive.ie)
- chargeStephane Benz was initially charged with manslaughter at 1.57am. (irishmirror.ie)
- chargeStephane Benz was charged with the murder of Urz Benz at 10.20am on Sunday morning. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtHe is expected to appear before a special sitting of the Criminal Courts of Justice at 12 noon on Sunday 9 February 2025. (garda.ie)
- courtThe accused is due to appear in court in Dublin at noon. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe man is due to appear before a special sitting of the Criminal Courts of Justice on Sunday afternoon (irishmirror.ie)
- courtThe suspect is due to appear before a special sitting of the Criminal Courts of Justice on Sunday 9 February 2025 at 12 noon. (dublinlive.ie)
- courtHe appeared before a special sitting of Dublin District Court at the Criminal Courts of Justice on Sunday afternoon (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe solicitor asked the judge to return the matter before the High Court bail sittings at Cloverhill on Wednesday (irishtimes.com)
- courtA psychiatric evaluation was requested (irishtimes.com)
- courtJudge Connelly returned the matter to Cloverhill court on Wednesday and remanded Mr Benz in custody (irishtimes.com)
- courtA statement of means will be filed for a legal aid application (irishtimes.com)
- courtHe appeared before Judge Marie Conneely at a special sitting of Dublin District Court on Sunday morning. (dublinlive.ie)
- courtHe was remanded in custody to appear before Cloverhill District Court on Wednesday, January 12. (dublinlive.ie)
- courtStephane Benz appeared before Judge Marie Conneely at a special sitting of Dublin District Court on Sunday morning. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtStephane Benz was remanded in custody to appear before Cloverhill District Court on Wednesday, January 12. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherThe man in custody knew the victim. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherThe two men were known to each other. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe detained man was known to the victim. (dublinlive.ie)
- otherHe wore a black hoodie and grey jeans (irishtimes.com)
- otherMr Benz made no reply after caution (irishtimes.com)
- otherUrz Benz had only arrived in the country on Friday before the incident. (dublinlive.ie)
- otherThe decision on legal aid was to be made on Wednesday following submission of a statement of means. (dublinlive.ie)
- otherNo bail application was made as the district court has no jurisdiction to consider bail on a murder charge. (dublinlive.ie)
- otherThe decision on whether legal aid will be granted is to be made on Wednesday following the submission of a statement of means. (irishmirror.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 9 Feb2025Man, 29, charged with murder of his father, 62, in Malahide
First report of the murder charge; details the arrest at Coolock Garda Station, the initial manslaughter charge upgraded to murder, the special sitting at Dublin District Court, and remand to Cloverhill District Court.
victim, Urz Benz, 62, male, non-irish (judged from name)Urz Benzaccused, Stephane Benz, 29, male, Swiss, named, non-irishStephane Benz - 9 Feb2025Man, 29, appears in court charged with murder of his father, 62, in Malahide
First court appearance; initially charged with manslaughter before being upgraded to murder; remanded in custody; psychiatric evaluation requested by defence.
victim, Urz Benz, 62, male, non-irish (judged from name)Urz Benzaccused, Stephane Benz, 29, male, Swiss, named, non-irishStephane Benz - 9 Feb2025Man appears before court charged with murder of his father in Malahide, Co Dublin
First court appearance; earlier manslaughter charge sheet withdrawn and replaced with murder charge; remanded in custody; psychiatric evaluation requested; legal aid application pending.
victim, Urz Benz, 62, male, non-irish (judged from name)Urz Benzaccused, Stephane Benz, 29, male, Swiss, named, non-irishStephane Benz - 9 Feb2025Man, 60's, dies after fatal assault at north Dublin house
Initial breaking-news report of a fatal assault; victim declared deceased at scene; suspect arrested and detained under Section 4; post-mortem to be arranged; SIO appointed and incident room established at Malahide Garda Station; appeal for witnesses and dash-cam footage.
victim, 60s, malesuspect, late 20s, male - 9 Feb2025Man, 20s, charged in connection with fatal assault in Malahide
Initial charging of a man in his 20s in connection with the fatal assault of a man in his 60s in Malahide; court appearance scheduled for 9 February 2025.
victim, 60s, malesuspect, 20s, male - 9 Feb2025Man due in court over horror stabbing death
First report of the stabbing death of Urz Benz in Malahide and the arrest and charging of a man in his 20s known to the victim.
victim, Urz Benz, 60s, male, Swiss, non-irishUrz Benzsuspect, 20s, male - 9 Feb2025Man (20s) charged following fatal assault of man (60s) in Malahide
Initial report confirming the fatal assault; adds that the victim was found unresponsive at a home in Gainsborough Lawn on Saturday morning, declared dead at the scene, and his body removed at about 2.30pm. The two men were known to each other. The State Pathologist's office was notified and a postmortem will be arranged. Gardaí are appealing for witnesses in the area between 8am and 8.45am on Saturday.
victim, 60s, malesuspect, late 20s, male - 8 Feb2025There may have been witnesses to assault which resulted in death of man, 60s
Reports the initial arrest and forensic examination of the scene, notes the suspect knew the victim, describes a row or confrontation in the leadup, and details the Garda appeal for witnesses and dash-cam footage between 8am and 8:45am.
victim, 60s, malesuspect, 20s, male - 8 Feb2025Malahide murder LIVE updates as man dies in horror incident
Live blog from the day of the incident providing scene details: the attack occurred in the garden, a row or confrontation preceded it, the suspect knew the victim, Garda forensics examined the house exterior, driveway and a parked car, and witnesses are sought for the 8am–8.45am window.
victim, 60s, malesuspect, late 20s, male - 8 Feb2025Fatal Assault Incident, Malahide, Co. Dublin, 8th February 2025
Initial Garda press release confirming the death and arrest; details the scene preservation, SIO appointment, incident room at Malahide Garda Station, and witness appeal for the Gainsborough Lawn area between 8am and 8.45am.
victim, 60s, malesuspect, late 20s, male - 8 Feb2025Court Appearance - Fatal Assault Incident, Malahide, Co. Dublin, 8th February 2025
Garda press release confirming the man has been charged and is expected to appear before a special sitting of the Criminal Courts of Justice at 12 noon on 9 February 2025.
suspect, 20s, male