A Manchester man has been found guilty of the savage murder of his great-uncle, after stabbing him a staggering 71 times. Shockingly, the killer had a previous conviction for murder dating back to his teenage years.
Direece Roche, 30, launched the horrific attack on 64-year-old Fintan McDwyer as he slept in his bed at home in Fallowfield in the early hours of 30 June 2024.
Jurors at the trial were informed of Roche’s disturbing history. At just 16, he fatally stabbed a 23-year-old man in 2011. That detail was permitted following a successful application by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS).
Mr McDwyer’s family described him as a “gentle giant, with a calm and reassuring presence.” “He had the most wonderful, soft, Irish lilt,” they added in a heartfelt tribute.
On the morning of 1 July 2024, Mr McDwyer’s son returned to the house to find his father lying lifeless in a pool of blood. Emergency services were called immediately.
Paramedics discovered a deep neck wound along with dozens of stab injuries to the head, neck, and torso. A post-mortem later confirmed the extent of the violence: 71 stab wounds, pointing to a relentless and sustained attack. The cause of death was likely due to the neck injury and extensive blood loss.
CCTV footage traced Roche’s movements. At around 3.30am, wearing a balaclava, he was seen heading toward his great-uncle’s home. He gained entry through an upstairs window.
A dog-monitoring camera inside the home captured the audio of the attack. Investigators believe it lasted approximately 90 seconds.
More footage later showed Roche vaulting garden fences as he fled the scene. Forensic evidence linked him to the crime—blood from Mr McDwyer and DNA traces from Roche were found on a torch discarded in a nearby garden. Blood was also discovered on a concrete post.
However, the murder weapon, as well as Roche’s trainers and balaclava, have never been found.
Roche was arrested on 6 July 2024. During questioning, he remained silent. He initially pleaded not guilty.
More than seven months later, faced with overwhelming evidence, Roche admitted to killing Mr McDwyer. But he claimed he only intended to steal the dog and had acted in self-defence, alleging his uncle had the knife. The jury rejected his version of events and convicted him of murder.
“Direece Roche planned and carried out the brutal murder of his own relative as he lay in bed. Roche attempted to conceal his identity by wearing a balaclava as he walked the streets of Manchester before and after murdering his great-uncle.
Roche failed to take full responsibility for his actions, pleading not guilty to murder, claiming self-defence and loss of control.
The Crown Prosecution Service successfully applied for Roche’s previous convictions to be put before the jury to show his prior bad character. Roche stabbed a 23-year-old man to death in 2011, when he was 16 years old.
Having heard all the evidence, the jury convicted Roche of murder. While nothing can bring Mr McDwyer back, I hope his family, and in particular his three sons who have had to sit through this trial, can begin to move forward knowing Roche will face the consequences of his actions,” said Nicola Carter, Senior Crown Prosecutor for CPS North West.
Roche is due to be sentenced at a later date. The conviction marks a second violent killing on his record, leaving a family shattered and a community horrified.
