‘Nothing will bring Eddie back to us’

A Dublin man has been sentenced to life imprisonment for what was described today as the “brutal murder” of his uncle in 2013.

David Cully, aged 24, had admitted killing Edward O’Connor but denied murdering him. The Central Criminal Court heard the 41-year-old died of two gunshot wounds to his back.

The jury spent more than eight hours over three days deliberating before returning a unanimous verdict of guilty of murder.

Cully of Kilshane Rd, Finglas West, had pleaded not guilty to murdering his uncle, but guilty to his manslaughter at Ballycoolin Rd, Finglas West, on December 15, 2013.

The 24-year-old claimed he shot Mr O’Connor “in the heat of the moment” after he commented about somebody who had made an allegation of sexual abuse against the deceased.

Pauline Walley, prosecuting,

yesterday read out a victim impact statement from the wife of the deceased.

“My name is Charlotte O’Connor, wife of Eddie O’Connor, who was brutally murdered,” she said.

“I make this statement on behalf of Darren, Tanya, and Eddie who have had their father taken from them in such a horrific manner. Eddie was cruelly taken from us,” she said.

Mrs O’Connor said that the horror will remain with her for the rest of her life.

“I am 42 years of age and Eddie has been part of my life since I was 14. We were childhood sweethearts — we did everything together.

“Eddie was a hard worker and a real family man. He always made time for his three children. He was proud of the three of them. They idolised their father.

“It is hard to look at them try to get on with lives — there will be a massive void. Upcoming birthdays, graduations and weddings will be tainted.

“Eddie has been snatched from us by a horrible crime. Eddie came from a large family of six brothers and one sister. He worked in the family business. His brothers have been saddened by his missing presence in the work place.”

Mrs O ‘Connor said that following allegations made against Eddie, he never had a moment’s piece.

“It broke Eddie’s heart.

“I think about Eddie every minute of every day. I ask myself why me and my family have this cross to bear for the remainder of our lives — the brutal circumstances in which Eddie was taken away from us.”

She thanked gardaí for their support.

“Nothing will bring Eddie back to us. I no longer feel I have something to live for. To have someone taken away from you is a burden no woman should have to carry. We love you Eddie.”

Caroline Biggs, defending, said Cully had 29 previous convictions for misuse of drugs, theft, road traffic offences and fraud.

Mr Justice Carroll Moran passed on his condolences to the family and friends of the deceased.

“Nothing I say is going to bring back the deceased. There is a sense of regret at a life needlessly lost,” he said.

“The law obliges me to pass a mandatory sentence (of life imprisonment) backdated to December 16, 2013.”