Man pleads guilty to unlawful killing at Athlone stag night

A man has pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of another man on a stag night in Athlone town four years ago.

Sean Munnelly (39), with an address at Irishtown, Athlone, Co Westmeath, appeared before Judge Cephas Power at a sitting of Mullingar Circuit Court this week, where the plea was entered prior to the empanelment of a jury.

He pleaded guilty on a full facts’ basis to one count of unlawfully killing 48-year-old Paul ‘Babs’ Connolly, from Edenderry, Co Offaly, who was found unresponsive on Church Street, Athlone, in the early hours of August 13, 2022, following an assault.

Mr Connolly suffered a number of punches and kicks during an attack which occurred in two sections, minutes apart. Another man, David Higgins, of St Paul’s Terrace, Athlone, was involved in the first part and received a one-year prison sentence in December 2023 for assault causing harm. It was during the second part of the attack that Mr Connolly was struck by Mr Munnelly and fell to the ground. He never regained consciousness.

Seán Costello SC for the state informed Judge Power that, during the sentence hearing, the court will be invited to watch some CCTV footage “of good quality”, and advised that two hours be set aside for the hearing. John Shortt SC, for Mr Munnelly, made an application for a governor’s report, as his client is in custody on this matter. He also requested a probation and welfare report and up-to-date urine analysis.

Mr Munnelly was remanded in custody to the October sittings of Mullingar Circuit Court when he will be sentenced.