Doneraile murder trial: 16-year-old accused said he 'did not leave home' on night Cork postman was killed

Barry Daly was found dead in Doneraile on October 12, 2025.

The prosecution case against three young people who deny murdering 44-year-old postman Barry Daly in Doneraile is close to closing, it was indicated to the judge and jury on Monday.

Prosecution barrister Imelda Kelly said before the jury was sent home until Tuesday: “We are very close to the point where the prosecution will be closing the case.” 

Following that indication, Ms Justice Siobhán Lankford then addressed the jury directly: “The prosecution are almost at an end of their case. There has been a lot of evidence . The prosecution want to review everything to make sure that everything that needs to be covered is covered.” 

Once the prosecution closes, it is anticipated there may be some legal discussion in the absence of the jury before the trial resumes.

The defence will have the option to call witnesses and go into evidence. However, in any criminal trial there is no onus on the defence to give any evidence.

Evidence of 16-year-old accused

On Monday, the court heard evidence from the 16-year-old defendant, as memos of his interviews with gardaí were presented by Detective Garda Hugh Byrne and read by Imelda Kelly.

The teenager referred to hearing “the devastating news” that Barry Daly was dead. “How did you hear?” he was asked. “Next day on the news,” he replied.

He said on the night of Saturday October 11, 2025, and the morning of Sunday October 12: “I did not leave home.” He was asked, “Are you absolutely sure?” He replied: “Yeah”.

“How well did you know Barry Daly?” he was asked. He replied: “Just to say hello to.” 

“You have given an account of your movements. I am not satisfied with your account. I know you are not telling the truth here. Do you realise how serious this is? You are not sitting here for no reason. We don’t just pick a name. Is there anything you want to tell me?” he was asked. 

The 16-year-old replied: “No.” It was put to him witnesses said they saw various parties at the relevant time and he replied: “There could be anyone else running around that night.” 

It was explained in legal terms and also in plain language what it means for defendants to act in concert, and specifically the allegation the 16-year-old and the two other defendants “formulated a plan to go — armed with golf clubs to go and kill or seriously injury Barry Daly…” 

It was explained to him even if one person did not carry out the fatal blow, that a person could still be deemed to have acted in concert with others. The teenager said he understood the explanation given to him.

Asked if he had ever been at Barry Daly’s home at Rockview Terrace, he said, no, but then added that two or three weeks earlier he had been dog-walking in the area.

In relation to telling gardaí he had been home from 11 pm on the Saturday night until 1pm on the Sunday, detectives asked him towards the end of his interviews if he was standing by that and he replied: “Yeah.” 

20-year-old Alex Deady, of Glenview, Convent Road, Doneraile, Co Cork, and two juveniles, aged 16 and 17, who cannot be named for legal reasons, are on trial at the Central Criminal Court on the charge of murdering Barry Daly at Rockview Terrace in Doneraile on October 12, 2025. 

Alex Deady and the 17-year-old pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter. The 16-year-old simply pleaded not guilty to murder. The ages relate to the date of the incident.