Cork Jury Starts Weighing Evidence in Postman's Killing

Twelve jurors have begun deciding whether two defendants murdered a postal worker in Doneraile last autumn, after the judge warned them against outside contact during deliberations.

Cork Jury Starts Weighing Evidence in Postman's Killing

Twelve jurors have begun deciding whether two defendants murdered a postal worker in Doneraile last autumn, after the judge warned them against outside contact during deliberations.

The panel at the Central Criminal Court in Cork was dismissed following its first day of discussions in the case concerning Barry Daly, aged 44, who died on October 12, 2025. Ms Justice Lankford told members this was a particularly sensitive moment and reminded them not to discuss evidence with anyone beyond the jury room or seek information independently.

She explained that in earlier eras, jurors would have been confined to a hotel overnight to prevent any external influence. Although that custom has ended, the need to remain untouched by outside pressures is just as critical now, she added.

The group, reduced to eleven after one woman was excused on Monday, worked for just under three hours before adjourning. They will return Wednesday morning.

Shortly after retiring, jurors asked to watch video recordings of police interviews with both accused to observe their behaviour. The judge declined, noting the defendants had sat in court throughout the proceedings and written summaries of the interviews were already available. Exhibits including damaged golf clubs were also at the jury's disposal.

Alex Deady, 20, from Glenview, Convent Road, Doneraile, and a 17-year-old co-defendant deny murdering Daly at Rockview Terrace but have admitted the lesser charge of manslaughter. The jury must now determine for each youth whether the killing amounted to murder or manslaughter, reaching a unanimous verdict in each instance.

A third youth, aged 16, was removed from the jury's remit on June 24 after prosecutors accepted his plea to manslaughter.

Source: Irish Examiner

Source: Google News IE — Crime (en)