Courts

Man pleads guilty to murder of teenager Conor O’Brien in Meath

Earl McKevitt (51) admits to murdering 19-year-old, who was due to begin apprenticeship as blacksmith, in Enfield in 2021

Earl McKevitt (51), of Avondale Park, Blanchardstown, Dublin 15, pleaded guilty to the murder of Conor O'Brien. Photograph: Colin Keegan/Collins Dublin
Earl McKevitt (51), of Avondale Park, Blanchardstown, Dublin 15, pleaded guilty to the murder of Conor O'Brien. Photograph: Colin Keegan/Collins Dublin
Alison O'Riordan
Thu Feb 23 2023 - 12:40

A 51-year-old man has admitted murdering a teenage boy in Co Meath over a year ago.

Earl McKevitt of Avondale Park in Blanchardstown in Dublin 15 was charged with murdering Conor O’Brien (19) at An Seanchrann, Trim Road, Enfield in Co Meath on a date between August 26th and August 27th 2021, both dates inclusive.

Mr John FitzGerald SC, for the Director of Public Prosecutions, told Mr Justice Paul McDermott that McKevitt could be arraigned on count one on the indictment and that further counts may be required in due course.

When arraigned before the Central Criminal Court on Thursday morning, McKevitt pleaded guilty to the single charge of murdering Mr O’Brien.

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The judge remanded McKevitt in custody until March 3rd, when he will be sentenced.

Mr O’Brien was originally from Gorey, Co Wexford, but had moved to a property in Enfield owned by a family member shortly before he was killed. The teenager had been due to start a blacksmith apprenticeship in Limerick.