Brian O’Neill QC

Criminal Defence

Brian is instructed in criminal cases of the utmost gravity and seriousness by leading defence solicitors. His vast experience has earned him the respect of those who instruct him, his peers and the judiciary.

He is regularly instructed in high profile murder cases and allegations involving serious sexual offences where his judicial experience as a former Recorder (including sitting at the Central Criminal Court) gives him a distinct advantage.

He has represented a number of Premiership footballers accused of serious violence, sexual assault and public order offences: out of respect for their privacy their names have been anonymised and media links removed.

Cases

MDY

M was charged with a gang related murder. The case against him hinged upon facial analysis evidence with supporting cell-site evidence.  Upon Brian’s advice Diligence were instructed as defence experts in these two fields. Following receipt of Diligence’s reports, the prosecution and defence experts met in order to produce joint reports. The results thereof were that the cell-site area was enlarged and the prosecution’s imagery expert’s opinion that M was one of the suspects was greatly diminished. Further to these joint reports Brian drafted written representations to the CPS inviting a review of the decision to prosecute M and submitting that there was no longer a realistic prospect of conviction. On the eve of trial, the prosecution agreed and offered no evidence against M.

ELH

H was accused of two gang related murders. Following the service of the prosecution case Brian advised that an application to dismiss should be made. Upon receipt of the defence’s written submissions the prosecution discontinued the case against H in respect of all of the allegations which he faced.

AJ and others

AJ and seven others stood trial on four counts of murder. They were accused of firebombing the home of a man whom they suspected of having murdered a friend of theirs earlier that day, however, the wrong house was set alight killing a mother and her three teenage children. AJ was acquitted of murder and convicted of manslaughter.

VUT

Defence of a professional footballer accused with three other players of sexually assaulting a young woman in a hotel room. Brian’s client was acquitted of all charges. The solicitor for one of the co-defendants described Brian as “the stand out Silk in the case”.

YXW

Defence of a professional footballer accused of wounding a night club doorman with intent to do grievous bodily. Brian’s client was acquitted of all charges.