Wednesday 28 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. 6680Murder · Co. Clare

Trial of Thomas Lorigan over murder of John O'Neill in Lisdoonvarna, Co Clare

Thomas Lorigan (34), a man of no fixed abode, is on trial for the murder of John O'Neill (78), a widower and his uncle, at St Brendan's Road, Lisdoonvarna, Co Clare, on a date between 6 and 7 January 2022. Lorigan was arrested for assault causing serious harm on 7 January and detained at Ennis Garda station, and gardaí later upgraded the investigation to murder. He has pleaded not guilty, and the prosecution says he repeatedly kicked the victim to the head while wearing steel-capped boots. The trial before Mr Justice Paul McDermott and a jury is continuing, and no verdict or sentence has been reported.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court25 Jan
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • Thomas Lorigan, a man aged 34 of no fixed abode, has pleaded not guilty to murdering John O'Neill.
  • John O'Neill was a 78-year-old widower and the accused's uncle.
Where
The killing is alleged to have happened at St Brendan's Road, Lisdoonvarna, Co Clare.
When
The alleged murder is said to have occurred on a date between 6 and 7 January 2022.
Cause
The prosecution says the victim died after a vicious attack by his nephew.
Weapon
The prosecution submits the accused repeatedly kicked the victim to the head while wearing steel-capped boots.
Investigation
  • Gardaí recovered bloodied boots from a house at Gleann Bhreandain in Lisdoonvarna.
  • Gardaí later upgraded the investigation to murder and invoked Section 18 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984 during a garda interview.
  • The accused replied 'no comment' when asked to account for blood on his black boots and blue jeans.
  • A mixed DNA profile taken from inside the boots contained the accused's DNA.
  • DNA from the jeans matched the victim's profile, and DNA from inside the waistband matched the accused's profile.
Charges
The accused was arrested for assault causing serious harm on 7 January and detained at Ennis Garda station.
In court
The trial continues before Mr Justice Paul McDermott and a jury of five men and seven women.
Other details
A witness testified that the accused left his house on the night of 6 January and returned before midnight, saying he had a row with his uncle.
13 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatThomas Lorigan has pleaded not guilty to murdering John O'Neill. (irishtimes.com)
  • whereThe killing is alleged to have happened at St Brendan's Road, Lisdoonvarna, Co Clare. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenThe alleged murder happened on a date between 6 and 7 January 2022. (irishtimes.com)
  • causeThe prosecution says the victim died after a vicious attack by his nephew. (irishtimes.com)
  • causeThe prosecution submits the accused repeatedly kicked the victim to the head while wearing steel-capped boots. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationGardaí recovered bloodied boots from a house at Gleann Bhreandain in Lisdoonvarna. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationThe accused was arrested for assault causing serious harm on 7 January and detained at Ennis Garda station. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationGardaí upgraded the investigation to murder and invoked Section 18 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984 during a garda interview. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationThe accused replied 'no comment' when asked to account for blood on his black boots and blue jeans. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationA mixed DNA profile taken from inside the boots contained the accused's DNA. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationDNA from the jeans matched the victim's profile, and DNA from inside the waistband matched the accused's profile. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe trial continues before Mr Justice Paul McDermott and a jury of five men and seven women. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherA witness testified that the accused left his house on the night of 6 January and returned before midnight, saying he had a row with his uncle. (irishtimes.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 25 Jan2024
    In courtirishtimes.com, first report
    Man accused of uncle’s murder replied ‘no comment’ when asked to account for blood on clothing

    Trial report: the accused has pleaded not guilty and the jury has heard evidence from gardaí and a forensic scientist. The article also covers the accused's 'no comment' replies in garda interviews and the DNA evidence on the boots and jeans.

    accused, Thomas Lorigan, 34, male, named, irish (judged from name)Thomas Loriganvictim, John O'Neill, 78, male, irish (judged from name)John O'Neill