Ireland Trial opens over death of John O'Connor in New Ross, Co Wexford
John O'Connor, a 58-year-old man, was found covered in blood on the floor of his apartment in the Cluain Fada housing estate in New Ross, Co Wexford, by his daughter on the morning of 31 December 2024, and was pronounced dead at the scene. The prosecution alleges that Wayne Roche, a 35-year-old man, violently assaulted Mr O'Connor at some point between 30 and 31 December 2024. Roche pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter. The trial opened on 24 April 2026 before a jury of four men and eight women at the Central Criminal Court in Waterford and is expected to last three weeks.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In court24 Apr
- Verdict
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- A 35-year-old man, Wayne Roche, has gone on trial accused of murdering John O'Connor in New Ross, Co Wexford, on New Year's Eve 2024.
- Where
- The events centred on Mr O'Connor's apartment in the Cluain Fada housing estate in New Ross.
- When
- The two men had been socialising at the property on the night of 30 December 2024.
- Cause
- The prosecution alleges the accused violently assaulted Mr O'Connor, unobserved by any other person, at some point between 30 and 31 December 2024.
- Other details
- Mr O'Connor's daughter found him covered in blood on the floor of his apartment on the morning of 31 December 2024.
- Mr O'Connor, who was 58, was pronounced dead at the scene.
- At the time of the alleged offence, the accused was in a relationship with Mr O'Connor's daughter, according to the prosecution opening.
- Investigation
- Detective Garda Darren Lyons told the court that CCTV shows the accused limping very heavily later that night and the following morning.
- Charges
- The accused pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter of Mr O'Connor on 31 December 2024.
- In court
- The trial is before a jury of four men and eight women at the Central Criminal Court in Waterford.
- The trial opened on 24 April 2026, with prosecution and defence opening points and CCTV evidence presented.
- The trial is expected to take three weeks to conclude and to hear from a large number of witnesses.
9 statements extracted from the articles
- whatA 35-year-old man has gone on trial accused of murdering John O'Connor in New Ross, Co Wexford, on New Year's Eve 2024. (rte.ie)
- whereThe events centred on Mr O'Connor's apartment in the Cluain Fada housing estate in New Ross. (rte.ie)
- causeThe prosecution alleges the accused violently assaulted Mr O'Connor at some point between 30 and 31 December 2024. (rte.ie)
- investigationDetective Garda Darren Lyons told the court CCTV shows the accused limping very heavily later that night and the following morning. (rte.ie)
- chargeThe accused pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter of Mr O'Connor on 31 December 2024. (rte.ie)
- courtThe trial is before a jury of four men and eight women at the Central Criminal Court in Waterford. (rte.ie)
- courtThe trial is expected to take three weeks to conclude and hear from a large number of witnesses. (rte.ie)
- otherMr O'Connor was found covered in blood on the floor of his apartment by his daughter on the morning of 31 December 2024. (rte.ie)
- otherMr O'Connor, who was 58, was pronounced dead at the scene. (rte.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 24 Apr2026Man found on floor covered in blood by daughter - court
Trial opened at the Central Criminal Court in Waterford. The accused pleaded not guilty to murder and guilty to manslaughter. Prosecution and defence opening points, CCTV evidence and expected trial length are reported.
victim, John O'Connor, 58, male, irish (judged from name)John O'Connoraccused, Wayne Roche, 35, male, named, irish (judged from name)Wayne Roche