Thursday 29 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. 10724Murder · Co. Dublin · 28 Oct 2024

Tomas Cypas convicted of murder of Juris Kokenbergs in Lucan

On 28 October 2024 at Old Bridge Park, Lucan, Co Dublin, Juris Kokenbergs, a 49-year-old Latvian man, died after an assault by his friend Tomas Cypas, a 35-year-old Lithuanian man. Gardaí arrived at the park at 8.15am that day and cautioned Cypas, who pleaded not guilty to murder. The State's case was that Mr Kokenbergs's head was stomped on and blows rained down on him during the assault, while Cypas said he hit the deceased, not murder, and acted in self-defence after Mr Kokenbergs came at him first. In March 2026 a Central Criminal Court jury found Cypas guilty of murder by a 10-2 majority; Mr Justice Paul McDermott will impose the mandatory life sentence on 23 March, and Cypas remains in custody until then.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Convicted1 Mar
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Juris Kokenbergs, a 49-year-old Latvian man, died after an assault.
Other details
  • The suspect is Tomas Cypas, a 35-year-old Lithuanian man, described as the deceased's friend.
  • Cypas told gardaí he hit the deceased and said it was not murder.
  • Cypas claimed Mr Kokenbergs came at him first and that he acted in self-defence.
Where
The killing took place at Old Bridge Park, Lucan, Co Dublin.
When
The killing happened on 28 October 2024.
Cause
The State's case was that Mr Kokenbergs's head was stomped on and blows rained down on him during the assault.
Investigation
Gardaí arrived at Old Bridge Park at 8.15am on 28 October 2024 and cautioned Cypas.
Charges
Cypas pleaded not guilty to murder.
In court
  • Mr Justice Paul McDermott presided over the trial at the Central Criminal Court.
  • A Central Criminal Court jury found Cypas guilty of murder by a majority verdict of ten to two.
  • The conviction was reported as taking place on 9 March 2026 in one article, and the tracker entry is dated 1 March 2026.
Sentence
The judge will impose the mandatory life sentence on 23 March, and Cypas was remanded in custody until then.
11 statements extracted from the articles
  • whereThe killing took place at Old Bridge Park, Lucan, Co Dublin. (thejournal.ie)
  • whenThe killing happened on 28 October 2024. (thejournal.ie)
  • causeThe State's case was that Mr Kokenbergs died after his head was stomped on and blows rained down on him during an assault by his friend. (thejournal.ie)
  • investigationGardaí arrived at Old Bridge Park at 8.15am on 28 October and cautioned Cypas. (thejournal.ie)
  • chargeCypas had pleaded not guilty to murder. (thejournal.ie)
  • courtA Central Criminal Court jury found Cypas guilty of murder. (thejournal.ie)
  • courtThe jury returned a majority verdict of ten to two. (thejournal.ie)
  • courtMr Justice Paul McDermott presided over the trial. (thejournal.ie)
  • sentenceThe judge will impose the mandatory life sentence on 23 March, and Cypas was remanded in custody until then. (thejournal.ie)
  • otherCypas told gardaí he hit the deceased, saying it was not murder. (thejournal.ie)
  • otherCypas claimed Mr Kokenbergs came at him first and that he acted in self-defence. (thejournal.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 1 Mar2026
    Convictedthejournal.ie, first report
    Man who inflicted 'appalling attack' on his drunk friend convicted of murder

    Reports the jury's guilty verdict of murder after a trial at the Central Criminal Court, with sentencing set for 23 March.

    victim, Juris Kokenbergs, 49, male, Latvian, non-irishJuris Kokenbergsconvicted, Tomas Cypas, 35, male, Lithuanian, named, non-irishTomas Cypas