Man guilty of the murder of Gillian Curran

A man has been found guilty of the murder of Waterford woman Gillian Curran.

Marcus O’Neill (35) beat Ms Curran to death at his home at 15 O’Brien Street on January 25, 2025.

After a three-week trial, the jury has returned a majority guilty verdict of 10 to 2. They had been deliberating for 12 hours over a period of three days.

After the verdict was given Justice Caroline Biggs said of the mandatory life sentence: “Mr O’Neill beat Ms Curran to death and that is the only verdict in terms of sentencing.” She thanked the jury for carrying out their civic duty in a trial that contained ‘very dark material: “I thank you on behalf of everyone working in the criminal justice system.” 

O’Neill will be sentenced at Central Criminal Court on October 12. 

Prosecutor Conor O’Doherty SC requested that a victim impact statement be sought from Gillian Curran’s family.