Man denies murdering chef in Cobh, but admits manslaughter

The case has been adjourned for trial commencing on May 19 at the Central Criminal Court sitting in Cork

Dylan Scannell has entered a plea of not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter. File picture: Dan Linehan

The 30-year-old man accused of murdering chef Ian Baitson in Cobh just over a year ago has indicated that he is admitting manslaughter but not murder.

Dylan Scannell of O’Rahilly Street, Cobh, County Cork, appeared before the Central Criminal Court sitting in Cork on Monday.

He faces trial for the murder of Ian Baitson, a 33-year-old father of two, who was injured in a car park in Cobh on March 15, 2024, and died four days later in hospital.

Dylan Scannell’s senior counsel Tom Creed said that the accused would enter a plea of not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter.

Ms Justice Siobhán Lankford asked if that approach would be satisfactory for the state. Prosecution senior counsel Donal O’Sullivan said it would not be satisfactory and that the matter should go to trial by judge and jury on the murder charge.

However, Mr O’Sullivan acknowledged that the indication of a plea of guilty to manslaughter was of assistance as it would make the trial shorter in relation to the issue of murder.

It was not possible to have a jury sworn in on Monday to commence this trial. Ms Justice Lankford adjourned the case for trial commencing on May 19 at the Central Criminal Court sitting in Cork. It is anticipated that a jury will be empanelled on that date for the trial.

The incident at the centre of the case relates to the Eurospar car park, Newtown Road, Cobh.