Man, 30, denies murdering 64-year-old 'gentle giant'

A 30-year-old man accused of murdering a 'gentle giant' in Manchester has pleaded not guilty to two charges.

Direece Roche has denied murdering 64-year-old Fintan McDwyer who was found dead at his home in Platt Lane, Fallowfield on July 1, 2023. Roche, of Berkeley Avenue, Longsight, was charged with his murder the following week.

Appearing at Manchester Crown Court on Monday (February 17), Roche also pleaded not guilty to possession of cannabis with intent to supply on May 14, 2023.

Dressed in a North Face coat and Nike trousers, he spoke only to confirm his name and enter the not guilty pleas.

He will now go on trial at Crown Square, starting on May 6, and will be remanded in custody.

Justice Bright said that both charges will be dealt with at the trial which has been scheduled for two to three weeks.

In a tribute to Mr McDwyer released following his death last year, his family said: “Monday 1 July was the day that we lost our dad, grandad, brother and uncle and our lives have since been turned upside down.

“Our whole family is grieving the loss of Fintan.

Our hearts are broken and will remain forever so, but the love we learned from Fintan will give us the strength to try and move forwards in our life without him.

“Fintan was our own gentle giant, with a calm and reassuring presence. He had the most wonderful, soft, Irish lilt.

"He was a true gentleman, had a wonderful sense of humour, and always had a twinkle in his eye.”