Ireland Case No. 9539Manslaughter · Co. Dublin · 11 Dec 2023
Twin brothers plead guilty to manslaughter of Ionel Nicolae Diaconu in Tallaght
Eric and Sean Farrell, both 21 and from Castle Park, Tallaght, Dublin 24, pleaded guilty in May 2026 at the Central Criminal Court to the manslaughter of Ionel Nicolae Diaconu, 45, at the same address on 11 December 2023. Mr Diaconu was stabbed eight times and died at the scene, and Eric Farrell said he was defending his brother Sean; the brothers were 19 at the time. The court was told Mr Diaconu had been in a relationship with the twins' mother and had physically and verbally abused her, and that the brothers were remorseful afterwards. The twins were remanded in custody for sentencing on 15 June.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In court18 May
- Verdict
- Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Eric and Sean Farrell pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of Ionel Nicolae Diaconu.
- Where
- The killing happened at a house in Castle Park, Tallaght, Dublin 24.
- When
- The killing happened on 11 December 2023.
- Cause
- Mr Diaconu was stabbed eight times in the chest, neck, thighs and legs and died at the scene.
- Other details
- Ionel Nicolae Diaconu was 45 years old.
- The twins are 21 and were 19 at the time of the killing.
- Mr Diaconu had been in a relationship with the twins' mother, who had moved out of the house.
- The court was told Mr Diaconu had physically and verbally abused the twins' mother over a period of time.
- Eric Farrell said he was defending his brother Sean when he killed Mr Diaconu.
- The court heard the brothers were distressed and remorseful after the killing.
- The defence said Eric Farrell had accepted responsibility and was at low risk of reoffending.
- The probation service has effectively suggested the offence was a once-off situation.
- Investigation
- Eric Farrell told gardaí at the scene that he had stabbed Mr Diaconu because he thought he would attack his brother after picking up a hammer.
- In court
- The judge said the twins had not arrived at the case by a habitual criminal route.
- Sentence
- The twins were remanded in custody for sentencing on 15 June.
12 statements extracted from the articles
- whereThe killing happened at a house in Castle Park, Tallaght, Dublin 24. (rte.ie)
- whenThe killing happened on 11 December 2023. (rte.ie)
- causeMr Diaconu was stabbed eight times in the chest, neck, thighs and legs. (rte.ie)
- chargeEric and Sean Farrell pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of Ionel Nicolae Diaconu. (rte.ie)
- courtThe judge said the twins had not arrived at the case by a habitual criminal route. (rte.ie)
- courtThe twins were remanded in custody for sentencing on 15 June. (rte.ie)
- otherThe brothers were 19 at the time of the killing. (rte.ie)
- otherEric Farrell said he was defending his brother Sean when he killed Mr Diaconu. (rte.ie)
- otherMr Diaconu had been in a relationship with the twins' mother, who had moved out of the house. (rte.ie)
- otherThe court was told Mr Diaconu had physically and verbally abused the twins' mother over a period of time. (rte.ie)
- otherThe defence said Eric Farrell had accepted responsibility and was at low risk of reoffending. (rte.ie)
- otherThe probation service has effectively suggested the offence was a once-off situation. (rte.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 18 May2026Twin brothers were remorseful after killing, court hears
First report of the case: guilty pleas to manslaughter, the court's account of the brothers' remorse, and sentencing set for 15 June.
accused, Eric Farrell, 21, male, named, irish (judged from name)Eric Farrellaccused, Sean Farrell, 21, male, named, irish (judged from name)Sean Farrellvictim, Ionel Nicolae Diaconu, 45, male, non-irish (judged from name)Ionel Nicolae Diaconu