Twin brothers plead guilty to manslaughter of Romanian man in south Dublin

Alison O'Riordan

A pair of twin brothers, who appeared before the Central Criminal Court on Monday afternoon wearing matching black outfits, have pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of a Romanian man in south Dublin over two years ago.

Eric and Sean Farrell (21), from Castle Park, Tallaght, in Dublin 24, were each arraigned on a single charge that they murdered Ionel Nicolae Diaconu (45) at the same address in Tallaght on December 11th, 2023.

The Farrell brothers, who each wore a black shirt and black trousers, pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to the manslaughter of Mr Diaconu.

Dean Kelly with Simon Matthews , for the Director of Public Prosecutions, said the manslaughter pleas met the case from the Director's point of view.

Michael Bowman, for Eric Farrell, said the brothers are now 21 years old but were 19 at the time of the killing.

The barrister said the brothers have "no significant previous convictions; possibly none" and asked the court to consider probation reports for the two defendants. He said the brothers were in custody in Castlerea Prison.

Senior counsel Brendan Grehan alongside John Griffin, representing Sean Farrell, informed the court that the defendants were twins.

Justice Paul McDermott adjourned the matter to May 18th next for a sentence hearing and ordered two probation reports. He remanded the Farrell twins in custody until that date.

When the judge asked Mr Kelly whether the deceased's relatives would be in court on the next date, the lawyer said Mr Diaconu's family do not live in Ireland and that they have "attended remotely" in the past.