Accused in Phoenix Park murder changes plea to guilty

A man has admitted murdering a homeless man in the Phoenix Park.

Ciaran Moran, with an address at Camden Hall, Camden Street, beat the man to death before setting him on fire in November 2013.

Gardaí on patrol in the Phoenix Park in the early hours of Nov 29, 2013, spotted a fire near the Wellington Monument.

They went to investigate, and first thought they had found a mannequin when they stumbled upon the charred remains of Gerard Donnelly - such was the extent of the damage caused by the fire. One of his toes had also been amputated.

Mr. Donnelly was a wealthy man. A Garda met him just a few weeks before his death. He had €8,500 in cash on him and an account book with a balance of over €140,000.

Ciaran Moran, who was also homeless the time, was aware of this wealth and his trial heard he told another man he would get his money by "battering and torturing him".

He maintained his innocence throughout, but changed his plea after the judge ruled the jury should hear a descriptive confession he made to Gardai - something his lawyers tried to have thrown out.

He will be handed the mandatory life sentence when he appears in court again next week.