Man replies 'I don't know' to murder charge then pleads not guilty to killing his father in Dublin

Seth Whelan, 36, left the Central Criminal Court momentarily bewildered when he responded 'I don't know' to the charge of murdering his father Michael Whelan, 64, before his barrister formally entered a not guilty plea on his behalf. Father and son lived together at Herberton Park, Rialto, Dublin 8, where Michael Whelan is alleged to have died sometime between February 19th and 27th, 2024. A jury of six men and six women has been sworn in for a trial expected to run up to four weeks, with opening statements scheduled for Thursday.

Seth Whelan faces a second charge of damaging a neighbour's Ring doorbell camera at Herberton Park on February 20th, 2024.

He again replied 'I don't know' to that charge, prompting his barrister Philip Sheahan SC to enter a not guilty plea on his behalf once more.

Judge Caroline Biggs instructed jurors to refrain from researching the case independently or discussing it among themselves ahead of Thursday's opening.