Newly released footage captures a killer prowling the streets before carrying out a fatal break-in. Direece Roche, aged 31, unlawfully entered the home of 64-year-old Fintan McDwyer on June 30 last year by climbing through an open window in his bedroom and viciously stabbing him 77 times. The victim, a retired grandfather, was alone at home as his son and girlfriend were attending a wedding.
Roche’s motive was to steal Mr. McDwyer’s dog, Sammy, a Staffordshire Bull Terrier cross that belonged to his grandmother, who was the sister of Fintan. In court footage, Roche is seen navigating back gardens and alleyways in Fallowfield, Manchester, dressed in dark attire, gloves, and a balaclava. After the gruesome act, he fled by scaling over fences.
The victim’s body remained undiscovered on his bed until his son returned home two days later. During a search of nearby properties, police found a trace of blood on a fence used by Roche to escape, which was instrumental in linking him to the crime through forensic testing.
Roche had a prior conviction in 2011 for the murder of 23-year-old Adam Steele in Salford when he was 16 years old, resulting in a life sentence with a minimum term of 12 years. He committed the murder of Mr. McDwyer approximately nine months after his release from prison.
Roche claimed in court that Mr. McDwyer, his great uncle, had sexually abused him as a child, but the jury dismissed his defense, finding him guilty of murder. He was sentenced to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole, joining a select group of fewer than 100 prisoners in the UK serving this sentence.
During sentencing, Mr. Justice Bright expressed skepticism about Roche’s claims and emphasized the innocence of Mr. McDwyer. The judge described the murder as premeditated and meticulously planned, highlighting Roche’s lack of remorse.
Following the sentencing, Detective Inspector Lee Shaw from Greater Manchester Police’s Major Incident Team commended the investigative efforts that led to Roche’s conviction. He mentioned the crucial role of CCTV footage in establishing the sequence of events and providing closure to the victim’s family amidst the tragic circumstances.