'Two halves of one person' -Twins killed mother's partner after he became abusive towards her

"Twin brothers killed their mother's partner by stabbing him eight times and striking him with a blunt object after he became abusive towards her, forcing her to move out of her home to seek refuge, the Central Criminal Court heard today."

"The court was told that the admission to manslaughter by brothers Eric and Sean Farrell (21) was accepted on the grounds that both men took part, although Eric told gardai that only he stabbed the victim and that his brother did not harm him."

"Nicolae Diaconu (45) died having suffered eight stab wounds, some as deep as 20cm, to his chest, legs and neck and from a blunt force wound to the front of his head consistent with having been caused by a hammer or similar object."

"During that time, gardai were called to the house at Castle Park and arrested Mr Diaconu following reports that he had been acting aggressively towards Ms Farrell and others. Ms Farrell went to stay with a relative and on the Monday evening, the twins went to Castle Park to speak to Mr Diaconu. At 8.36pm, Eric called emergency services saying that someone had been stabbed."

Two brothers, Eric and Sean Farrell, admitted manslaughter for the killing of Nicolae Diaconu, their mother’s partner, at their Tallaght home on December 11, 2023. The court heard that Diaconu died from eight stab wounds, some up to 20cm deep, to the chest, legs, and neck, and from a blunt force wound to the front of his head consistent with a hammer or similar object. Gardaí were called after reports of aggression toward Tanya Farrell and others, and she left the home to stay with a relative. In the days before the killing, allegations of abuse or mistreatment were made. Eric called emergency services at 8.36pm reporting a stabbing. The pleas were accepted on the basis that both men took part, despite Eric’s claim that only he stabbed the victim.

Read at Independent