Family of manslaughter victim Teddy Murnane deliver impact statements in Cork court
Sean Harding was found guilty of the manslaughter of 80-year-old Timothy Murnane in Tipperary. Sentencing is set for 14 December.
Murnane family tell court killer 'stole their sense of security'
The daughter of an 80-year-old man who died after a confrontation with a burglar at his Tipperary home has said her father's injuries were so severe she could only identify him by a tattoo, the Irish Times reports.
Sean Harding (32), of Marian Terrace, Tipperary town, was found not guilty of murder but guilty of the manslaughter of Timothy "Teddy" Murnane last Friday. The jury at the Central Criminal Court in Cork heard that Murnane was attacked at his home on St Michael's Avenue, Tipperary town, on 12 September 2025.
Murnane had gone to his garage after hearing a noise. His wife, Margaret, found him unconscious and bloodied on the ground. He suffered multiple bruises and abrasions to his face, neck and chest, a fractured skull, and bleeding to the brain. He died in hospital two days later.
On Monday in Cork, victim impact statements from the Murnane family were handed to Judge Siobhan Lankford. His daughter, Rachel O'Dwyer, said the damage to her father's face was "so severe" that he was "unrecognisable". She said images of his injuries frequently flashed into her mind at night.
His son Patrick Murnane described his father as a "gentle soul" whose life had been ended in a violent manner. He said he would "never have an ounce of forgiveness" for Harding. Another son, Timothy Murnane, who lives in Canada, said his parents had planned to travel to surprise him for Christmas 2025. He said his father had been deprived of the chance to see his grandchildren grow up.
His granddaughter Trinity Murnane said she yearned for "one more conversation or one more hug". Grandchildren Colin and Aoife said Harding had stolen their sense of security.
Harding, who denied murder but pleaded guilty to manslaughter and three burglary charges, has 141 previous convictions. His defending barrister, Dean Kelly, described him as the "black sheep" of a decent, hardworking family and said he deeply regretted his actions.
Sentencing is due to be imposed on 14 December.
Source: Irish Times