Dwayne Watts pleads guilty to murder of Warwick father Mark Ireland in Toowoomba

A West Queensland man who killed a beloved father and family member has halted his murder trial moments before it began.

Dwayne Thomas Andrew Watts, 30, confessed to murdering fellow Warwick man Mark Ireland with a sword. Picture: Facebook

A Warwick man has made a last-minute confession to viciously killing a member of his family on the morning his trial was set to commence.

Dwayne Thomas Andrew Watts, 33, pleaded guilty to the domestic violence murder of Mark Keith Ireland, 54, before Toowoomba Supreme Court on Tuesday.

His plea triggered the court to discontinue his planned trial, set to commence that same morning.

Police previously alleged Watts and Mr Ireland were arguing at a Hope St address on the night of September 16, 2020 when Watts struck the 54-year-old father with a “long-bladed” swordlike weapon.

Mark Ireland, 54, died from facial and head injuries in 2020 after, police claim, he was attacked by his family member Dwayne Thomas Andrew Watts. Picture: Facebook

It is believed Mr Ireland died from serious facial and head wounds inflicted from Watts’ attack.

Watts was further charged in the District Court with other unrelated charges to which he pleaded guilty in 2021.

Crown prosecutor Dejana Kovac requested Watts’ District Court matters be transferred to the Supreme Court so all seven indictments could be dealt with together.

Defence barrister Damian Walsh accepted Ms Kovac’s request but asked the sentencing be delayed so to obtain a psychiatric report in relation to the other charges.

Justice Catherine Muir ordered the parties to return on Friday May 2, 2025 to review the status of the psychiatric report and potentially set down a sentencing date.

Watts’ was remanded in custody awaiting sentencing.

Originally published as Dwayne Watts pleads guilty to murder of Warwick father Mark Ireland in Toowoomba