Man who stabbed drug dealer in row over €100 debt guilty of manslaughter

A Dublin man who killed a drug dealer during an argument over a €100 debt has been found guilty of manslaughter. William Gilsenan (24) had pleaded not guilty to the murder of Edward Fitzgerald (29) in a car park at the Green, Larch Hill, Oscar Traynor Road, Santry.

The jury of seven women and five men took two hours and 35 minutes to come to its unanimous verdict, following a 10-day trial at the Central Criminal Court.

Mr Justice Paul Butler remanded Gilsenan in custody until January 12th when a sentencing hearing will take place. Members of Mr Fitzgerald's family cried and hugged one another after the verdict.

The trial heard that Gilsenan owed Mr Fitzgerald €100, with witnesses Dillon Mahady and Charles Brodigan saying it was a drug debt. In interviews with gardaí, Gilsenan said the debt was for cash, although he had bought drugs off Mr Fitzgerald in the past. Matters came to a head on October 17th, 2014, when Mr Fitzgerald drove to Gilsenan’s home and confronted him in the car park, demanding his money.

The two men argued, with Gilsenan saying Mr Fitzgerald threatened him and said he would smash up his house and his mother’s home. That argument ended without any physical confrontation as Gilsenan went to his apartment. Mr Brodigan told the trial that they wanted to smoke a joint but they could not find any cigarette papers so they decided to go to a friend nearby.

Gilsenan told gardaí that he picked up a knife before leaving his apartment, but did not intend to use it. He said his intention was just to show it to Mr Fitzgerald and scare him away if he threatened him again.

When he went outside, Mr Fitzgerald was still in his car and started making further threats, the court heard. A neighbour, Judith Commisky, said she overheard the argument and was “petrified” by what she heard.

Gilsenan approached the car and argued with Mr Fitzgerald through the open passenger side window but then, according to Gilsenan’s interviews with gardaí, Mr Fitzgerald struck him in the face. Gilsenan then went to the driver’s side door and a scuffle began with Mr Fitzgerald still in the car kicking Gilsenan and Gilsenan holding on to his legs.

After a few seconds of struggle Gilsenan produced the knife and stabbed Mr Fitzgerald twice. One wound went through his leg, the other pierced his heart and caused his death.

Before beginning their deliberations Mr Justice Butler told the jurors they had three possible verdicts open to them – guilty of murder, not guilty of murder but guilty of manslaughter, or not guilty.

Orla Crowe SC, prosecuting, said members of Mr Fitzgerald’s family would like to make a statement to the court before sentencing on January 12th.