Boy, 16, pleads not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter in Doneraile trial

There was a development in the Doneraile murder trial on Wednesday as the 16-year-old accused of murdering 44-year-old postman Barry Daly was rearraigned and pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter.

Following a legal discussion that went on throughout Tuesday at the Central Criminal Court sitting in Cork, defence senior counsel Ray Boland said on Wednesday that his 16-year-old client could be rearraigned.

When the jury arrived back in court, Ms Justice Siobhán Lankford said: “In your absence there has been a development and I can now tell you that (16-year-old, who cannot be named as he is a juvenile) will be rearraigned before you.” 

The murder charge was then read to the boy, who replied: “Not guilty of murder but guilty of manslaughter.” 

Lorcan Staines, prosecuting, said: “That plea of manslaughter is acceptable to the DPP. His case can be adjourned until Monday on continuing bail.” 

The 16-year-old then left the courtroom.

That leaves two defendants on trial before Ms Justice Lankford and the jury of seven women and five men.

Alex Deady, aged 20 of Glenview, Convent Road, Doneraile, Co Cork, and a 17-year-old now continue on trial at the Central Criminal Court on the charge of murdering Mr Daly at Rockview Terrace in Doneraile on October 12, 2025. 

Mr Deady and the 17-year-old pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter, at the outset of the trial.

Mr Deady’s senior counsel, Tom Creed, said the defence would not be going into evidence and would be relying on the account that he gave to gardaí as disclosed to the jury in the memoranda of interviews.

Alice Fawsitt, for the 17-year-old, said her position was the same — that her client would not be giving evidence and the jury had heard the account he had given to gardaí.

Closing speeches in the trial then commenced.