Jury begins deliberations in Tipperary neighbor's murder trial

A jury at the Central Criminal Court in Cork is now weighing the evidence in the case of Sean Harding, a 32-year-old man accused of killing his elderly neighbor during a burglary in Tipperary Town.

Harding, who lives on Marian Terrace, faces charges of murder and three burglaries committed on September 12, 2025. He has pleaded not guilty to the death of Timothy Murnane but admitted to manslaughter and the break-ins. Murnane, 80, was found at his home on St Michael’s Avenue.

Medical evidence presented during the trial details the physical toll on Murnane. The State Pathologist, Dr. Heidi Okkers, identified multiple external injuries including bruises and abrasions on the victim's face, head, neck, chest, back, arms, and legs. Internal injuries were also found, specifically skull fractures and bleeding on the brain.

Prosecution counsel Karl Finnegan argued that the jury must determine if Harding intended to kill or cause serious harm. Finnegan noted that Harding admitted to breaking into the garage to steal tools for his drug habit and claimed he only pushed Murnane after being startled. Finnegan asked the jury to consider the defensive injuries on Murnane's arms and the age gap between the 32-year-old defendant and the 80-year-old victim.

Defense attorney Dean Kelly acknowledged that Harding's actions were unappealing, describing him as a man creeping around the neighborhood 150 meters from his own home to steal possessions. Kelly argued that while the behavior was vile, it did not automatically make Harding a murderer. He pointed to testimony from Harding's brother, Justin, who stated that Sean was not a violent robber and that the incident was far from an intent to murder.

Judge Siobhan Lankford delivered her final instructions to the jury on Thursday. The verdict will hinge on whether the force used by Harding indicates an intent to cause the natural and probable consequences of his actions.