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.
After being quoted up to €25,000 for floors, this handy Wicklow couple did it themselves for €1,500
Ireland’s grocery prices are still soaring. How can that be?
Living next door to dereliction: ‘It’s been rotting for years … Rats all over the place’
A Gaeltacht tragedy: ‘I never would have sent her if I thought anything was wrong’
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
