Doneraile murder trial: Jury asks to see evidence of state pathologist on death of Cork postman

They also requested evidence given by three witnesses who had variously described the scene in the front garden where Barry Daly was found

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

The jury in the Doneraile murder trial asked to see the pathologist’s evidence again as they deliberated for a second day in the case against two accused who admit the unlawful killing or manslaughter of 44-year-old postman Barry Daly, but deny the murder charge.

Ms Justice Siobhán Lankford told the jury the report from assistant state pathologist Dr Margaret Bolster would not be handed into the jury room but the transcript of the evidence she gave in the witness box would be given to them.

In relation to evidence such as that, the judge said two copies would be given to them and not a separate copy for each of them as it would not be desirable to have each juror working alone in the jury room and they should always work together when considering evidence and deliberating.

They also requested evidence given by three witnesses, and transcripts of their evidence was also given to them. These witnesses had variously described the scene in the front garden where Barry Daly was found, and an incident where Seamus Hunter tried to intervene when he saw the defendants going with golf clubs in the direction of the deceased’s home a short time earlier.

Following the discharging of one juror who was unable to continue with the trial, the six women and five men remaining on the jury will return for their third day of deliberations to the Central Criminal Court sitting in Cork on Thursday.

They commenced their deliberations at 11.33am on Wednesday, and allowing for breaks and for lunch, they have deliberated for a total of six hours across the two days.

20-year-old Alex Deady, of Glenview, Convent Road, Doneraile, Co Cork, and a 17-year-old, each face a charge of murdering 44-year-old postman 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, at the outset of the trial.

Ms Justice Lankford told the jury the issue they have to decide is whether each defendant is guilty of murder. The jurors were reminded a simple not guilty verdict is not available to them, as each defendant had already entered a plea of guilty to manslaughter. 

So for the avoidance of doubt, they were told they must decide in each case if the accused is guilty of murder or not guilty of murder but guilty of manslaughter.

Ms Justice Lankford said they must be unanimous in their decision on each defendant.

The jury no longer has to consider the case against a third accused. On June 24, the third defendant, who is 16, entered a plea of guilty for the first time, in the following terms: “Not guilty of murder but guilty of manslaughter,” and this plea to manslaughter was acceptable to the DPP.