Ireland Crime

Named as

Accused, victim

Born

Between October 1976 and October 1977, from the ages reported

Offences

Murder, Assault on a garda, Assault causing harm; public order (threatening, Abusive or insulting behaviour); intoxication in a public place

Where

Co. Dublin, Co. Donegal

Reporting

4 reports, 9 May 2022 to 12 Oct 2026

Outlets

rte.ie, donegallive.ie

Photographs

as published, with the outlet's credit

Images are shown from the outlet that published them and link back to the article. Copyright stays with the credited photographer or agency.

• Man charged with 2005 murder of Eoin McCarthy in Dublin Murder · Co. Dublin

  Eoin McCarthy, a 27-year-old man from Clondalkin, Dublin, was found dead from a gunshot wound to the back of the head in Ballinagee, Hollywood, Co. Wicklow on 4 November 2005. A man in his 40s was arrested in March 2026 and held under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984 at a Garda Station in the Eastern Region. On 12 October 2026, Declan O'Brien, 49, of no fixed abode, was arrested at Bray Courthouse and charged with the murder at Bray District Court. He made no reply to the charge and was remanded in custody at Wheatfield Prison to appear again via video link.

  In court, 12 Oct 2026Accused · 1 report
• Burns jailed for assaulting garda in Ballyshannon Assault on a garda · Co. Donegal

  On 23 August 2023, Nikita Burns, a 23-year-old woman, punched Garda Declan O'Brien at Ballyshannon Garda Station and was also charged with threatening, abusive or insulting behaviour on the same occasion. Burns pleaded guilty to both charges at Ballyshannon District Court. On 2 May 2025, Judge Monika Leech sentenced her to four months in prison for the assault and one month for the public order charge, to run concurrently. Burns is already serving sentences for murder and for assaulting another garda.

  Sentenced, 5 May 2025Victim · 2 reports
• Man charged with assault causing harm on Garda in Buncrana Assault causing harm; public order (threatening · Co. Donegal

  Sean McArdle Donaghey, 24, of Lisfannon Heights, Fahan, is charged with assaulting Garda Declan O'Brien causing him harm, using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour with intent to provoke a breach of the peace, and being intoxicated in a public place at Dr Denis McLaughlin Road, Buncrana, on 8 May 2022. He appeared at Letterkenny District Court on 9 May 2022, where bail was granted with conditions including weekly sign-on at Buncrana Garda Station, remaining of sober habits, residing at an address provided to Gardaí, and being contactable by mobile telephone at all times. A file has been sent to the DPP and directions are awaited.

  In court, 9 May 2022Victim · 1 report

Each entry shows how that report described them.

1. 12 Oct2026
   Chargedrte.ie, in Man charged with 2005 murder of Eoin McCarthy in Dublin

   Man charged with 2005 murder of Eoin McCarthy

   accused, Declan O'Brien, 49, male, named, irish (judged from name)Declan O'Brien♂49IE
2. 5 May2025
   Sentenceddonegallive.ie, in Burns jailed for assaulting garda in Ballyshannon

   Sliabh Liag murderer Nikita Burns jailed for punching garda in Ballyshannon

   victim, Declan O'Brien, irish (judged from name)Declan O'BrienIE
3. 5 Apr2024
   In courtdonegallive.ie, in Burns jailed for assaulting garda in Ballyshannon

   Sliabh Liag murder accused has Garda assault case put back

   victim, Declan O'Brien, irish (judged from name)Declan O'BrienIE
4. 9 May2022
   In courtdonegallive.ie, in Man charged with assault causing harm on Garda in Buncrana

   Man in court after alleged assault of Garda in Buncrana

   victim, Declan O'Brien, male, irish (judged from name)Declan O'Brien♂IE

Matched on the name as printed, ignoring quoted nicknames, and split by the ages reported. Two people who share a name and age would appear together here.