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. 0124Murder · Co. Dublin · 26 Nov 2024

Two men on trial for murder of 63-year-old man stabbed in Finglas

Anthony aka Josh Fowler, a 63-year-old man and recovering drug addict, was stabbed to death just after midnight on 26 November 2024 at Dunsink Green, Finglas, Dublin, by two men who were looking for a person believed to have stolen cannabis and cash. Connor Brennan Moran, 23, and Ryan Brennan, 30, both of Lanesborough Gardens, Finglas, pleaded not guilty to his murder. The two accused left the area in a taxi to Newry, Co Down, after the stabbing. The trial opened at the Central Criminal Court on 16 October 2026, with the prosecution outlining a joint enterprise case in which the men intended to cause serious harm to the alleged drug thief but instead stabbed Mr Fowler, who died from a single stab wound to the chest.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court16 Oct
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Anthony aka Josh Fowler, a 63-year-old man, was stabbed to death by two men who were looking for a person believed to have stolen cannabis and cash.
Where
The stabbing took place at Dunsink Green, Finglas, Dublin 11, and Mr Fowler was taken to Connolly Hospital in Blanchardstown where he was pronounced dead.
When
The murder occurred just after midnight on 26 November 2024.
Cause
Mr Fowler died from a single stab wound to the chest that penetrated 17 centimetres, puncturing his heart.
Weapon
Mr Fowler was stabbed by one of the two accused in a joint enterprise to cause serious harm.
Investigation
Gardaí gathered CCTV footage allegedly showing the movements of the two accused before and after the stabbing.
Charges
Connor Brennan Moran, 23, and Ryan Brennan, 30, both of Lanesborough Gardens, Finglas, were charged with murder and both pleaded not guilty.
In court
The trial opened at the Central Criminal Court on 16 October 2026, with the prosecution opening delivered by Garrett McCormack SC.
Other details
  • Ryan Brennan told a witness that another man had stolen cannabis and cash, and allegedly said on the phone that he wanted to kill the suspected drug thief.
  • The man suspected of stealing the drugs and money did not live at the address on Dunsink Green where Mr Fowler lived.
  • After the stabbing, the two accused left the jurisdiction in a taxi that took them to Newry in Co Down.
  • Mr Fowler was described as a recovering drug addict, and his housemate found him lying unresponsive on the ground with two men standing in the garden.
20 statements extracted from the articles
  • whereThe two accused are from Lanesborough Gardens in Finglas, Dublin 11. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whereEmergency services took Mr Fowler to Connolly Hospital in Blanchardstown where he was pronounced dead. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whenThe murder took place on 26 November 2024 at Dunsink Green, Finglas. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whenJust after midnight, Mr Fowler heard banging on his door and went outside. (irishmirror.ie)
  • causeThe two men intended to cause serious injury to a man believed to have stolen cannabis and cash. (irishmirror.ie)
  • causeMr Fowler died from a single stab wound. (irishmirror.ie)
  • weaponMr Fowler was stabbed by one of the two accused in a joint enterprise to cause serious harm. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationGardaí gathered CCTV footage allegedly showing the movements of the two accused before and after the stabbing. (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeBoth men pleaded not guilty to the murder. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherRyan Brennan told a witness that another man had stolen cannabis and cash. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherRyan Brennan was screaming and irate and spent the day looking for the alleged drug thief. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherRyan Brennan believed the man he was looking for lived at the address on Dunsink Green where Mr Fowler lived. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherThe man suspected of stealing the drugs and money did not live at that address. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherRyan Brennan allegedly said on the phone that he wanted to kill the suspected drug thief. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherMr Fowler's housemate heard a commotion, went downstairs and saw Mr Fowler lying on the ground unresponsive. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherTwo men were standing in the garden when the housemate found Mr Fowler. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherMr Fowler was described as a recovering drug addict. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherThe stab wound entered Mr Fowler's chest just below the nipple and penetrated to a depth of 17 centimetres. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherThe injury required strong force to penetrate four layers of clothing and the thick bone of the chest wall before puncturing his heart. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherAfter the stabbing, the two accused left the jurisdiction in a taxi that took them to Newry in Co Down. (irishmirror.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 16 Oct2026
    In courtirishmirror.ie, first report
    Granda, 63, stabbed to death by men looking for alleged drug thief, court told

    Trial opened at the Central Criminal Court on 16 October 2026; prosecution opening by Garrett McCormack SC outlines the joint enterprise case, the single stab wound to the chest, and the accused's departure to Newry, Co Down after the stabbing.

    victim, Anthony aka Josh Fowler, 63, male, irish (judged from name)Anthony aka Josh Fowleraccused, Connor Brennan Moran, 23, male, named, irish (judged from name)Connor Brennan Moranaccused, Ryan Brennan, 30, male, named, irish (judged from name)Ryan Brennan