Teenager and two men charged in connection with man's death in Bray

One man is accused of murder while the remaining two accused are charged with the production of articles likely to cause harm and violent disorder

Patrick Fitzpatrick at Arklow District Court on Wednesday morning where he was charged with the murder of Willie Moorehouse whose body was found near a playground in Boghall Road, Bray on January 19, 2025. Picture: Colin Keegan, Collins Dublin.

Two men and a teenager have appeared before the court charged in connection with the death of Willie Moorehouse in Bray.

The three accused came before Judge David Kennedy at Arklow District court on Wednesday morning.

Patrick Fitzpatrick, aged 33, with an address of Old Court, Bray, Co. Wicklow, was charged with the murder of Willie Moorehouse who had an address at the Half Moon Halting Site just outside Bray, in the playground at Ballywaltrim, Bray, Co. Wicklow, on January 19, 2025.

24-year-old James Fell, of Fassaroe, Bray, Co. Wicklow, was charged with production of articles likely to cause harm and violent disorder, while the young person who cannot be named to protect his identity was also charged with production of articles likely to cause harm and violent disorder on the same occasion.

Detective Garda Ger Brennan told the court that on Tuesday at Bray Garda Station he arrested Patrick Fitzpatrick. He gave evidence of arrest, charge and caution. He said he outlined the charge of murder to the accused, and handed him a true copy of the charge.

The accused, said Det. Garda Brennan, replied "bullshit" to the murder charge before saying "I just want to talk to my solicitor" after he was charged with the violent disorder. Solicitor for the accused said there would be no application for bail.

On the application of Sgt Tony Flynn, Judge Kennedy said he would remand the accused in custody to appear before Bray District Court on Thursday via video link. The solicitor for the accused applied for free legal aid stating that the accused was not working. 

He also asked that he be given medical attention at Cloverhill Prison. Judge Kennedy granted the application.

James Fell

Det. Garda Brian Coen gave evidence of having arrested James Fell at Greystones Garda Station on Tuesday, January 15, 2025. He told the court of having arrested, charged and cautioned the accused, and charged him with violent disorder and production of an article.

He said that the accused made no reply to the first charge but said "that's bullshit, that is" to the second. The maximum sentence is 10 years.

The accused man's solicitor said they were making an application for bail. Garda Coen said that gardaí were objecting to the bail application given the seriousness of the charge before the court.

Garda Coen outlined the previous convictions to the court in relation to the accused, stating that should he be granted bail he would re-offend. However, the accused man's solicitor said he is working at present, would agree to sign on daily at a garda station, and also provide a telephone number.

Defence solicitor for Mr. Fell, Mark Maguire, suggested the issue of identity may not be certain and would be a matter for the trial. He said his client is working, protests his innocence and can provide an address.

Judge Kennedy said he would grant bail on strict conditions. He ordered that the accused provide a permanent address, sign on daily at Coolock Garda Station, provide a telephone number that is accessible at any time, that he stay away from others involved, and also stay out of Bray save for court appearances, and stay away from his co-accused.

Teenager

The young person was brought before the court after Judge Kennedy asked all in attendance not involved in the case to vacate the court. Det. Garda John Hall told the court of having arrested the young person at Wicklow Garda Station on Tuesday, April 15, 2025.

Garda Hall gave evidence of having given the young person details of arrest, charge and caution, and that he outlined to the accused the charge of violent disorder. Garda Hall said he made no reply to the charge.

When an application for bail was made by the accused's solicitor, Mark Maguire said his client maintains he was not involved in the incident himself, though he admits he was at the scene.

He added that because the accused is a juvenile there is a higher duty of care from the court. He said the boy is resident in a care home where there is appropriate support.

Garda Hall said that gardaí were objecting to bail. Garda Hall outlined to the court the accused's previous offences, stating that he was currently before the court on 34 charges including the charge before today's court.

In relation to the incident for which the accused is before today's court, Garda Hall said that Mr Moorehouse was stabbed on a number of occasions. He said that CCTV footage was viewed in relation to the affray from which the accused was identified.

Garda Hall said, should the accused be granted bail, he was of the opinion that he would not sign on while he also had gone missing on a number of occasions from the care home.

Judge Kennedy said he would refuse the application for bail. He remanded the accused in custody to Oberstown to appear via video link before Bray District Court on Thursday.

The body of Willie Moorehouse was found in Ballywaltrim playground in Bray on January 19, 2025. The 36-year-old was a father of six and his partner was pregnant with his seventh child at the time.

Four people were arrested on Tuesday as part of the inquiry, while a woman in her 50s was released without charge, and a file is being prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions.