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 including the defence of a young man accused of four counts of murder following a revenge attack house fire. In 2018 alone Brian appeared in 11 homicide cases (prosecuting or defending) achieving a successful (8) or partially successful (2) outcome for his client in 10 of them.

He undertakes terrorism cases including the defence of a man accused of being part of a plot to blow up the Stock Exchange, and, the prosecution of two passengers accused of threatening to bring down a PIA plane on its approach to Manchester.

His instructions include allegations involving serious sexual offences where his judicial experience (he is authorised to try such cases in his capacity as a Recorder at the Central Criminal Court) gives him a distinct advantage.

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.

Akeem Jeffers 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.

Rahman and others

R and eight others were accused of a number of terrorist offences including a conspiracy to blow up the London Stock Exchange and another plan to set up a terrorist training camp in Pakistan. The defendants pleaded ‘Guilty’ after the jury had been sworn. R received the lowest sentence of all the defendants which was further reduced on appeal.

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”.

Rohan Ince

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. To read about the case in the national press, please click here