A man found guilty of murdering his close friend in Mid Kerry will be sentenced next week.
Thomas Carroll with an address at Brookway, Clonmel, Co Tipperary was found guilty of the murder of 84-year-old Paddy O'Mahony at Ballyreameen, near Castlemaine, on February 24th 2024.
The 67-year-old accepted that he fired the gun, but denied the charge of murder.
The over two-week trial took place before Mr Justice Patrick McGrath at the Central Criminal Court in Limerick.
The jury of eight men and four women unanimously convicted Thomas Carroll of murdering Patrick Paddy O’Mahony, following three and half hours of deliberations over two days.
They heard that the 67-year-old had served in the army for over 30 years, had an exemplary record, had no previous convictions, and that Paddy O’Mahony had a great friendship with Mr Carroll.
During evidence the court heard that gardaí did not treat Mr O’Mahony’s death as suspicious, and his children grew concerned for Mr Carroll’s wellbeing on the morning their fathers body was discovered.
However, after the mortician at University Hospital Kerry discovered an entry wound on the 84-year-olds body, a murder investigation was launched.
The jury heard that both men had been drinking before an “animated conversation” took place at Mr O’Mahony’s home near Castlemaine.
The prosecution highlighted eight minutes of CCTV footage which they described as critical, where Mr Carroll was seen holding the 84-year-old by the shoulder and pointing the weapon at him for over two minutes, before shooting from point blank range.
A postmortem examination determined that Mr O’Mahony died as a result of haemorrhage and shock - after the bullet from the browning calibre beretta passed through him.
Senior Defence cousel Mark Nicholas, instructed by barrister Michael McCormack, and solicitors Pat Mann and John Cashell, stated Mr O’Mahony’s property was no ordinary home, as you could pick up a gun there quicker than a newspaper.
Mr Nicholas asked the jury to look at the level of intoxication in the case and its effect on intent.
Shortly after 12.30 this afternoon, the jury returned a unanimous verdict of guilty.
Following the verdict, Mr Justice Patrick McGrath, adjourned the matter to next Wednesday, where Mr Carroll faces the mandatory sentence of life imprisonment.
He will be sentenced after victim impact statements from the O’Mahony family.
