On February 17, 2024, a 30-year-old man named Direece Roche appeared at Manchester Crown Court, where he pleaded not guilty to two charges, including the murder of 64-year-old Fintan McDwyer.

McDwyer was discovered dead in his home on Platt Lane on July 1, 2024. Roche, residing on Berkeley Avenue, was charged with his murder the following week.

During the court appearance, Roche also denied possession of cannabis with intent to supply, an incident that occurred on May 14, 2023.

Roche, dressed in a North Face coat and Nike trousers, spoke only to confirm his name and enter his pleas of not guilty.

His trial is set to commence on May 6, 2024, at Crown Square, and he will remain in custody until then.

Justice Bright indicated that both charges will be addressed during the trial, which is expected to last two to three weeks.

Following his death, McDwyer's family released a heartfelt tribute, stating: “Monday, July 1 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.”