A 22-year-old man who once messaged women on Tinder moments before stabbing his friend in the neck has been found guilty of murder. self defense they were “self-serving nonsense”.

The jury, which also heard that Brandon Gavin had searched for “imprisonment for murder in Ireland” on his phone the day before the stabbing, rejected this request. defense A case of him attacking out of fear and not being a murderer.

The jury too Central Criminal Court negotiated for approximately five hours before returning youR. unanimously The verdict handed down this Wednesday found Gavin guilty of murder Marius Mamaliga, 19, at Swords Forest Court on the evening of February 23, 2023.

Gavin, of Brookdale Road River ValleyThere were swords Pleaded not guilty at jury trial That’s what he told gardaí Mr Mamaliga “came upon him” and he defended himself, claiming he feared for his life because he owed a €2,500 drug debt.

Opening the hearing, DPP barrister Ronan Kennedy SC said the murder charge arose from the fatal stabbing of the deceased on February 23. Mr mamaliga He died from his injuries on February 26.

The prosecution claimed Gavin went to meet his old friend, knife in hand, and got into the back seat. Mr Mamaliga’s car suddenly and without warning stabbed him in the neck with the intention of killing or harming him. serious injury.

Mr The entire incident lasted about 14 seconds, Kennedy said. He told the jury that Gavin dropped his mobile phone and two HSE appointment cards in his name in the rear footwell of the car and these were seized by gardaí during a technical examination of the vehicle..

The jury also heard evidence that the deceased’s blood was found on a pocket knife found by gardaí in a park close to where the incident occurred. contains DNA matches Gavin’s.

State pathologist Dr. SallyAnn Collis told the jury: Despite medical attention at the scene of the stabbing, Mr mamaliga suffered hypoxic brain damage caused by lack of oxygen to the brain due to blood loss.

He told the jury Mr Mamaliga survivedIn addition to internal bleeding, which has almost stopped in the left carotid artery, there is damage to the left carotid artery and damage to the upper trachea.

Garda David Durnin gave evidence Mr Kennedy, on February 23, Gavin and his father arrived at Swords Garda station.againdefendant’s fatherr stated that his son had been involved in an incident before and wanted to surrender.

Garda Durnin said the defendant said he had stabbed himself Mr mamaliga inside to himselfdefense because he was afraid for his life because he had a drug debt. Garda said Brandon Gavin told him he owed him €2,500 for “drugs/weed” and also told gardaí he panicked following the stabbing. Mr Mamaliga threw the knife but did not specify Where.

Detective Garda Conor tumbleton gave evidence Mr Kennedy said that when he warned the defendant, Gavin said: “He came to me. I defended myself. I stabbed him.”

The defendant’s father, Eddie Gavin, testified during the trial during a telephone conversation with his son, who said to him, “Dad, I screwed up.” But he said Brandon told him he “stabbed this guy.” didn’t provide any details.

Mr Gavin broke down as he told the jury: “‘Dad, can I give you a hug?’ ” he said and I said of course you can hug him, so I hugged him.” Mr Gavin said defense She said Brandon was shaking, hysterical and crying. “He was a mess,” Eddie Gavin said.

The defendant’s mother, Jacqueline Gavin, told the hearing that Brandon had suffered from mental health problems for many years and had self-harmed and attempted suicide on numerous occasions. He said the family “tried everything,” including Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services, Pieta House, a private facility. consulting and various hospitals in Dublin.

Witness David Octavian told the jury: second-At the long window, a “calm and collected” attacker got into the car he was sitting in, “slowly took out his knife” and stabbed his friend in the neck before running away.

He asked if you knew GavinThe witness said: “Yes, we used to hang out as a group when we were little. “We used to be friends.”

The jury also heard evidence from Roman Lakhman, who said he got into the front passenger side of the car and David Octavian got into the back on the night in question. He said the trio drove to Brookdale, where someone got into the car.

Mr Seconds later, Lakhman said, the man “stabbed him” (Mr Mamaliga) but we thought he got hit in the face and that’s when we jumped out and chased him for a bit but then Marius jumped in holding his neck.”

Asked by Mr If Kennedy knew anything Mr Mamaliga was doing it to make money Mr Lakhman said: “He was selling fast gas (laughing gas) but that’s all.”

During cross-examination, Mr Rejecting Dean Kelly SC’s recommendations, Lakhman argued: Mr Mamaliga was a cocaine dealer who was “dealing drugs” the night he was fatally stabbed.

Mr Kelly asked the witness what else happened Mr Mamaliga was doing it to make money Mr Lakhman replied: “I sell weed from time to time”.

However, the jury was shown video footage taken from the phone. Mr Mamaliga appears to have placed the cocaine in bags.

Further evidence was given by Detective Garda Kevin Farrell, who said he had obtained data from a phone belonging to Gavin which was found inside. Mr The car that Mamaliga drove after his death.

Det. Garda Farrell, on February 22, 2023, at 18:31, just over 24 hours before the incident. Mr Mamaliga used the phone to search for “Ireland prison sentence for murder.”

Det. Garda Farrell also told the court the phone user had been interacting with the dating app Tinder on the day of the stabbing.

At 6:45 p.m., the witness swiped right to see a woman being contacted and Gavin’s phone saying, “Hey, how are you?” He said he sent a message saying: The jury had previously seen CCTV footage showing the interaction between him and the defendant. Mr Mamaliga, less than 20 minutes later, shortly after 7:03 p.m.

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In cross-examination, Det. Garda Farrell agreed with Mr. Posted by Kelly Mr Mamaliga’s phone showed he was involved in the sale and supply of drugs, including cocaine and MDMA.

Changes between Gavin and Mr Mamaliga appears to indicate that the defendant lied to the deceased about some drugs that had gone missing. Gavin lied in a message Mr Mamaliga says drugs went missing after gardai raid his home, Det Garda Farrell said.

Three days before he died, Mr Sent to Mamaliga Gavin A message like this: “Did you handle this? The kids are looking for that money on Thursday.” Mr Mamaliga sent a message the next day: “There will be people at your door tomorrow, I advise you to come back to me.”

In his closing speech, Mr Kennedy said there was clear evidence that the stabbing was “planned and premeditated” and that Gavin acted deliberately. self defense it was “self-serving nonsense”.

But, Mr Kelly asked the jury to consider: accused“‘s actions”spiral out of control” and the possibility that Gavin would lash out out of fear when he attacked in the car. anger and self-preservation.

Before the jury begins deliberations, Woman Judge Eileen Creedon said they had three verdicts before them on the murder charge against the defendant: guilty of murder, not guilty of murder but guilty of manslaughter, or not guilty.

After the jury, consisting of seven men and five women, announced its decision, Woman Judge Creedon thanked them for their time and attention during the trial and excused them from jury service for the next seven years.

The matter was adjourned until next December 2 for victim impact statements and sentencing and Gavin was remanded in custody.