Dublin man on trial for father's murder after body found decomposing in Rialto flat

Seth Whelan (36) faces trial at the Central Criminal Court accused of killing his father and leaving his body undiscovered for a week. The prosecution says Michael Whelan was stabbed 43 times and had his skull crushed.

Dublin son accused of crushing father's skull and stabbing him 43 times before leaving body for a week

A Dublin man murdered his father by crushing his head and stabbing him 43 times before leaving the decomposing body in their shared flat for approximately one week, a Central Criminal Court jury heard on Monday, dublinlive.ie reports.

Anne-Marie Lawlor SC, prosecuting, opened the trial of Seth Whelan (36), who responded "I don't know" when arraigned earlier this week on a charge of murdering his father, Michael Whelan (64). A not guilty plea was entered on his behalf by his barrister.

Ms Lawlor told the jury of six men and six women that gardaí discovered Michael Whelan's body on the floor of the flat he shared with the accused at Herberton Park, Rialto, Dublin 8, on 27 February 2024. A neighbour had raised the alarm after becoming concerned that he had not seen the older man for several days and asked gardaí to carry out a welfare check.

On entering the flat, gardaí noticed a putrid smell from the decomposing body and could immediately see that Michael Whelan had met a violent death. He was lying on his back, surrounded by extensive blood staining.

Seth Whelan arrived at the flat while gardaí were present. Ms Lawlor said the jury would hear about his demeanour and what he said at that time. There was no evidence of forced entry to the property, and CCTV footage reviewed by gardaí established that Seth Whelan was the only person to enter or leave the flat during the preceding week. Gardaí also confirmed that Michael Whelan was not seen alive after he entered the flat on 19 February — eight days before his body was found.

A pathologist will tell the trial that Michael Whelan died from blunt force trauma to the head and two stab wounds that penetrated his heart and lungs. A further 41 stab wounds were inflicted after his death, Ms Lawlor said. The deceased's "skull and face were crushed in," counsel told the jury, asking them to consider that the nature of the injuries indicated an intent to cause death.

The pathologist established that the body had lain dead for approximately one week, placing the time of death at 19 or 20 February. During the period between the alleged killing and the discovery of the body, Seth Whelan sent a message to an acquaintance stating that his father had died. Ms Lawlor said this and other messages sent during that period would be relevant, given that in his garda interviews Whelan denied knowing his father was dead.

Ms Lawlor also addressed the question of mental disorder, telling the jury there would be no evidence that Seth Whelan was suffering from such a condition at the time of his father's death. "I want to be clear, lest there be any misapprehension, that does not arise in this case," she said. "That is not something you are going to be asked to look at."

Whelan also faces a charge of criminal damage to a Ring doorbell belonging to a neighbour, allegedly committed on 20 February 2024. A not guilty plea has also been entered on his behalf in relation to that charge. Ms Lawlor said video footage would establish that Whelan damaged the doorbell and that the jury would see "reasons why he might have done that."

The trial is continuing before Ms Justice Caroline Biggs.

Source: Irish Independent