Case No. 1468Murder · Co. Meath · 8 Dec 2022
Two drug dealers jailed for life for murder of footballer over stolen cannabis
Viorel Doroscan and Otniel Richardo Clejan were sentenced to life in prison at the Central Criminal Court for the murder of Mahamud Ilyas, 22, who was beaten, tied up, and left to die in Co Meath after stealing €6,000 worth of cannabis from their apartment in Blanchardstown, Dublin, in December 2022.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Verdictnot reported
- Sentenced23 Jun
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet
Key facts
consolidated from all reports14 statements extracted from the articles
- whatThe murder followed a row over a stolen bag of cannabis worth €6,000. (irishtimes.com)
- whatDoroscan and Clejan beat Ilyas by stamping on him, kicking him, and striking his head with a hammer. (irishtimes.com)
- whatThey tied his hands and feet, wrapped him in a duvet, and left him to die in a wooded area. (irishtimes.com)
- whatCantaragiu drove the two killers to Belgree Lane with Ilyas in the back and later cleaned blood from the back seat before selling the car. (irishtimes.com)
- whatIlyas called Doroscan that night and offered to sell some of the drugs back for €500. (irishtimes.com)
- whatDoroscan recorded part of the assault on Snapchat. (irishtimes.com)
- whatBoth Doroscan and Clejan claimed self-defence, saying Ilyas attacked them with a crowbar. (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe body was left at Belgree Lane in Co Meath. (irishtimes.com)
- courtA jury convicted Doroscan and Clejan of murder by unanimous verdict earlier in 2025. (irishtimes.com)
- courtLorenzo Cantaragiu, 22, was found guilty by a jury of four counts of impeding the apprehension or prosecution. (irishtimes.com)
- courtLawyers for Cantaragiu and Burns will make submissions on 4 July before Mr Justice Hunt sentences them. (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceDoroscan and Clejan were sentenced to life in prison at the Central Criminal Court. (irishtimes.com)
- otherDoroscan had two previous convictions for possession of drugs and one for possession of drugs for sale or supply. (irishtimes.com)
- otherClejan had no relevant previous convictions. (irishtimes.com)
The reporting
newest first- 23 Jun2025‘He was left in the middle of nowhere’: Two jailed for murder of man in row over stolen cannabis
Reports the life sentences handed down by Mr Justice Tony Hunt, the victim's mother's statement, details of the assault and disposal of the body, and the pending sentencing of co-accused Robert Burns and Lorenzo Cantaragiu for impeding prosecution.
victim, Mahamud Ilyas, 22, male, non-irish (judged from name)Mahamud Ilyasconvicted, Viorel Doroscan, 23, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Viorel Doroscanconvicted, Otniel Richardo Clejan, 24, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Otniel Richardo Clejanconvicted, Robert Burns, 59, male, named, irish (judged from name)Robert Burnsconvicted, Lorenzo Cantaragiu, 22, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Lorenzo Cantaragiu