DPP refuses manslaughter plea in Dublin murder case

A 27-year-old man is due to go on trial at the Central Criminal Court tomorrow for the murder of a man who's body was discovered in a laneway in north Dublin last year.

Stephen Penrose, of no fixed abode, appeared briefly before the court this morning.

When asked how he pleaded to the charge of murdering David Sharkey on May 17, 2009, he replied “not guilty of murder, guilty of manslaughter”.

Counsel for the prosecution, Mr Paul Green SC, told the court that the Director of Public Prosecutions had refused to accept the manslaughter plea, and a jury was sworn in for the murder trial.

Twenty-eight-year-old Mr Sharkey is alleged to have been murdered at Blackcastle, Navan in Co Meath in May of last year.

His body was discovered in a laneway in Finglas.

A jury of five men and seven women has been sworn in and the trial is due to get underway before Mr Justice Paul Carney tomorrow morning.

The case is expected to last two weeks.