A 22-year-old man pleaded guilty at a Central Criminal Court pre-trial hearing on Friday to murdering a father of two in his north Co Dublin home nearly three years ago.
Owen Maughan of Dun Saithne Avenue, Balbriggan, was charged with murdering Christopher Hall (65) at his home in Dun Saithne Green, Balbriggan, Co Dublin between November 23rd and 24th 2021.
The prosecution case was led by senior counsel Garret Baker, while Philipp Rahn SC headed up the defence team.
The pre-trial hearing, which commenced before Mr Justice Paul McDermott at the Central Criminal Court on Friday, was expected to last two-and-a half weeks.
Ireland has been surpassed as ‘the largest open-air lunatic asylum in the world’
Nanci Griffith: From a Distance review – harrowing account of the country music star’s life that ended in isolation and alcoholism
Patrick Freyne: I joined a gym this year. Here’s how working out is working out
‘Show some respect’, Brian Cowen told Gerry Adams in furious Belfast meeting, records show
However, on Friday afternoon Maughan indicated he wished to be arraigned and entered a plea of guilty to the single charge on the indictment of murdering Mr Hall.
The judge directed the preparation of a victim impact report and remanded Maughan in custody until July 8th, when it is expected that he will be sentenced to the mandatory term of life imprisonment.
- Sign up for push alerts and have the best news, analysis and comment delivered directly to your phone
- Join The Irish Times on WhatsApp and stay up to date
- Listen to our Inside Politics podcast for the best political chat and analysis