Thomas O’Halloran, 87, died in Greenford, west London, on August 16 after what prosecutors described as a “sexless attack”. Lee Byer, 44, appeared at the Old Bailey accused of murdering Mr O’Halloran in a case due to go to trial in May. During a preliminary hearing this morning, the court heard Mr O’Halloran told a passer-by that he had been stabbed as the injuries on his body were clearly visible. Police received a 999 call from a member of the public who found the victim traveling on his scooter down a passage that runs between Runneymede Gardens and Welland Gardens. Police arrived within minutes to find Mr O’Halloran had collapsed and was being helped by members of the public. Police and medics attended, but he was pronounced dead at the scene at 4.54pm. A post-mortem examination found the grandfather, who was well-known “throughout the local community”, had suffered multiple stab wounds to the neck, chest and abdomen. Byer, of no fixed address, was charged on August 19 with Mr O’Halloran’s murder and possession of a large knife. He appeared in court via video from custody at Belmarsh Prison on Tuesday. Judge Mark Lucraft QC set a plea hearing for November 8 with an interim trial lasting up to three weeks from May 2, 2023. Byer was remanded in custody. Use Chrome browser for more accessible video player 1:15 Thomas O’Halloran travels with friends Mr O’Halloran, originally from County Clare in western Ireland, was a keen musician and was described as “very popular” in Greenford, who often went to charity. Footage on social media shows him trying to raise money for Ukraine months before the murder. He is survived by his family including his sister, two brothers, nieces and nephews. Fine Gael senator Martin Conway said Mr O’Halloran was a regular visitor to Ireland and his death had left his home town of Ennistymon in “deep shock and sadness”. “Tommy, as he was known, left Ennistymon for London 71 years ago but traveled home almost every year until about 10 years ago,” he said.
