The Special Criminal Court heard evidence in the ongoing trial of Lee Canavan (31), who has pleaded not guilty to the murder of David Douglas (55) at Shoestown, Bridgefoot Street, Dublin 1, on July 1, 2016. Former State Pathologist Professor Marie Cassidy testified via video-link that Mr Douglas died from six gunshot injuries sustained while standing in his shop doorway. She detailed that five bullets exited the body, while one remained in his trunk, causing extensive damage to his jaw and neck. The prosecution alleges this was a meticulously planned assassination, with Canavan identified as the shooter. They further claim a stolen Mercedes-Benz, linked to Canavan via fingerprints and DNA, was used as the getaway vehicle before being set alight. Canavan also denies a separate charge of criminal damage to a Suzuki Swift. This is the fourth prosecution related to the killing; previously, Frederick 'Fat Freddie' Thompson was jailed for life for the murder, Gareth Brophy received a ten-year sentence for acting as a getaway driver, and Nathan Foley pleaded guilty to assisting a criminal organisation, receiving a six-year sentence. The trial continues before Mr Justice Michael MacGrath and colleagues.
The Special Criminal Court heard eyewitness testimony in the ongoing trial of Lee Canavan, who has pleaded not guilty to the murder of shoe shop manager David Douglas (55) in Dublin 1 on July 1, 2016. Mr. Douglas was shot six times, sustaining injuries to his chest, neck, back, torso, elbow, and jaw. Canavan also denies a second charge of criminal damage to a Suzuki Swift on July 4, 2016. Prosecution counsel described the incident as a meticulously planned assassination, alleging Canavan was the shooter. Witness Shane Egan testified that he saw a man enter the shop, heard shots, and observed the suspect walk away while smirking. Medical evidence confirmed Mr. Douglas died at 4:55 pm. A loaded semi-automatic pistol was recovered at the scene. Evidence also linked Canavan to a Mitsubishi involved in the alleged arson of the Suzuki Swift, where he was arrested with €1,065 in cash and petrol on his clothing. The court noted that Nathan Foley (22) was jailed for six years in 2019 after pleading guilty to assisting a criminal organisation by driving one of four cars and buying mobile phones. Additionally, Frederick 'Fat Freddie' Thompson (41) was jailed for life in 2018 for the murder, and Gareth Brophy (26) received a ten-year sentence in February 2020 for acting as a getaway driver. The trial continues before Mr Justice Michael MacGrath.
Lee Canavan (31) pleaded not guilty to the murder of David Douglas (55) and criminal damage to a Suzuki Swift at the Special Criminal Court. The prosecution alleges Mr. Canavan shot Mr. Douglas six times at Shoestown, Bridgefoot Street, Dublin 1, on July 1, 2016, describing the incident as a meticulously planned assassination. Witness John Shaw, a worker at the adjacent 'Busy Bees' service, testified to hearing gunshots and finding Mr. Douglas on the floor with blood everywhere. Other witnesses described a man in black clothing fleeing into a dark grey Mercedes. Mr. Canavan denies the charges, while the state links him to two vehicles via fingerprint and DNA evidence. This is the fourth person charged in connection with the killing. Previously, Frederick 'Fat Freddie' Thompson (41) was jailed for life for the murder. Nathan Foley (22) pleaded guilty to assisting a criminal organisation by driving one of four cars and buying mobile phones, receiving a six-year sentence. Gareth Brophy (26) was jailed for ten years in February 2020 for his role as getaway driver. The trial, presided over by Mr Justice Michael MacGrath, Ms Justice Sinead Ní Chúlacháin, and Mr Justice Dermot Dempsey, is expected to last four weeks and continues tomorrow.
The trial of Lee Canavan (31) has opened at the Special Criminal Court, where he pleaded not guilty to the murder of David Douglas (55), who was shot dead at Shoestown, Bridgefoot Street, Dublin 1, on July 1, 2016. Canavan also denies criminal damage to a vehicle on July 4, 2016. The State alleges Canavan "literally pulled the trigger" in a "meticulously planned assassination," presenting evidence of a semi-automatic pistol found near the victim and linking Canavan to two vehicles via fingerprints and DNA. Prosecutors detailed the movements of four cars used in the offence, including a Mercedes set alight near Carman's Hall and a Suzuki burned on Strand Road. Nathan Foley (22) was previously jailed for six years after pleading guilty to assisting a criminal organisation by driving one of the cars and buying mobile phones. Frederick 'Fat Freddie' Thompson was jailed for life by the Special Criminal Court for the murder; however, his defence counsel noted a live appeal is currently pending in Thompson's case. The trial, presided over by Mr Justice Michael McGrath, Ms Justice Sinead Ní Chúlacháin, and Mr Justice Dermot Dempsey, is scheduled to last four weeks.
Aaron Brady was convicted of the murder of Detective Garda Adrian Donohoe, who was shot during an armed robbery at Lordship Credit Union in County Louth on 25 January 2013. An investigation spanning several years culminated in Brady's trial, where the prosecution presented extensive circumstantial evidence linking him to the crime. This included CCTV footage connecting Brady to a stolen Volkswagen Passat used in the raid, phone records showing his movements, and witness testimony placing him in the vicinity. Brady's own statements to gardaí contained multiple falsehoods about his whereabouts that night. The investigation also revealed Brady had later made incriminating admissions whilst living abroad, boasting about shooting a police officer. The jury found Brady guilty of the murder. The case was handled by Dundalk District Court and involved cooperation between Irish and Northern Irish police services.
In a Court of Appeal hearing on 9 October 2020, 39‑year‑old gangster "Fat" Freddie Thompson, who was jailed for life by the Special Criminal Court in August 2018 for the murder of David 'Daithí' Douglas, announced his intention to appeal. Douglas was shot six times on 1 July 2016 while lunching at his partner's shop in Shoestown, Dublin 8. Thompson's lawyers, Michael Finucane Solicitors, will come on record for the appeal, but have not yet filed grounds of appeal. Free legal aid has been granted to the solicitors, who will set a date for filing. Freddie Thompson pleaded not guilty.
Four men were served with a Book of Evidence at the Special Criminal Court on 14 September 2020. The case concerns the attempted murder of James 'Mago' Gately, who was shot multiple times in his car at a filling station on Clonshaugh Road, Dublin 17, on 10 May 2017. Peter 'Peadar' Keating (39) of Rowlagh Green, Clondalkin, and Stephen Fowler (61) of Blakestown Cottages, Clonsilla, appeared at the non‑jury court charged under Section 72(1A) of the Criminal Justice Act 2006. The charge alleges that between 7 December 2016 and 6 April 2017, they, knowing of a criminal organisation, acted to enhance that organisation's ability to commit the murder of Gately. David Duffy (33) of Greenfort Lawns, Clondalkin, and Douglas Glynn (35) of Fitzgibbon Court, Dublin 1, were also charged with the same offence under Section 72(1).
A man named Douglas Glynn, aged 36, was granted bail by the Special Criminal Court for his alleged involvement in the attempted murder of James 'Mago' Gately, a target of the Kinahan cartel. The charge, under Section 72(1) of the Criminal Justice Act 2006, alleges that between 7 December 2016 and 6 April 2017, Glynn, knowing of a criminal organisation, participated in activities that would facilitate the murder of Gately, specifically the fixing of a tracking device on Gately's car. Despite objections from Gardaí, who cited Glynn's risk to public safety, the seriousness of the offence, and his flight risk, the judge granted bail. Conditions include daily reporting to Mountjoy Garda Station, residence at a family home, provision of a mobile number, surrender of travel documents, prohibition from leaving the jurisdiction, and no contact with case‑related individuals.
Two men, David Duffy, 33, and Douglas Glynn, 35, were charged at the Special Criminal Court for their involvement in the attempted murder of James 'Mago' Gately, a target of the Kinahan cartel. Gately was shot multiple times on May 10, 2017, while seated in his car at the Topaz filling station on Clonashaugh Road, Dublin 17. The charges, under Section 72(1) of the Criminal Justice Act 2006, allege that between December 7, 2016, and April 6, 2017, both men, aware of a criminal organisation's existence and intending to aid its members, participated in or contributed to activities connected with the murder. Duffy was arrested at his home on July 16 and taken to Irishtown Garda Station, while Glynn was arrested at Alfie Byrne House and also taken to Irishtown. Both were remanded in custody and will reappear on July 31, with bail and free legal aid applications to be made.
A 23‑year‑old man, Christopher O'Callaghan, was sentenced to six years' imprisonment, with 18 months suspended, for the manslaughter of his 66‑year‑old grandfather, Joseph O'Callaghan, who was found dead in his own blood on the morning of 2 July 2018. The Central Criminal Court heard that the defendant had "snapped" after his grandfather admitted sexually abusing two individuals. O'Callaghan claimed he had no intention to kill or seriously injure his grandfather, but he struck him up to four times, kicked him twice and stomped on him, causing blunt‑force trauma to the head and extensive bruising. The judge noted the defendant's consumption of alcohol, his early guilty plea, remorse and efforts to address alcohol abuse. The suspended portion requires abstinence from alcohol, attendance at treatment and continued employment or study. The case remains a manslaughter conviction, not a murder conviction. Christopher O'Callaghan pleaded not guilty.
At the Central Criminal Court, jurors have viewed CCTV footage documenting events preceding a fatal robbery at Lordship Credit Union in County Louth. Detective Garda Gareth Kenna testified regarding surveillance material from January 2013, depicting a BMW 5-Series at a service station near the border, with subsequent footage tracking a similar vehicle southward through County Louth locations including Monasterboice and Clogherhead. A Volkswagen Passat stolen from the Clogherhead area was later discovered burned out in Armagh. Aaron Brady, aged 28 from Crossmaglen, County Armagh, has pleaded not guilty to the capital murder of Detective Garda Adrian Donohoe on 25 January 2013, and to robbery of approximately €7,000 and cheques from the credit union on the same date. The court also heard evidence concerning fuel laundering activity in the Armagh area, where a witness reported pursuing a white Transit van dumping diesel waste near Castleblayney in 2012. The trial continues before Mr Justice Michael White and a jury.
The Court of Appeal has dismissed appeals by professional landlords Paddy McKeown and Adelaide McCarthy against High Court orders restraining them from interfering with four properties in Cork. The couple, who reside at Villa Nova, Douglas Road, challenged injunctions secured in 2017 by receiver Ned Murphy, appointed by AIB after the defendants allegedly defaulted on loan agreements. AIB claims to have obtained judgments exceeding €1.4m against the couple. The High Court, presided over by Mr Justice Paul Gilligan, had previously granted the receiver's orders and dismissed the couple's cross-applications to restrain the disposal of the properties. In a detailed written judgment, the three-judge panel, led by Mr Justice Brian Murray, upheld the High Court's decision. Mr Justice Murray stated that the defendants failed to establish any basis for concluding the High Court erred. He rejected allegations that the High Court judge was biased or unfair, describing the proceedings as scrupulously fair. The court also dismissed the argument that the receiver used an alias, deeming it utterly without merit. The only remotely arguable ground regarding the validity of the receiver's appointment was noted for consideration at the full trial of the action. The appeal was formally dismissed, leaving the original restraining orders in place.
A 23‑year‑old man, Christopher O'Callaghan, has admitted killing his grandfather, Joseph O'Callaghan, aged 66, on 2 July 2018 in Douglas, Cork. He pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter. The plea has been accepted by the State. O'Callaghan, who lives at Woodview, Pinecroft, Grange, Douglas, remains on continuing bail. He will appear again before the Central Criminal Court on 11 May for a sentence hearing, where evidence of the killing and reports by relatives will be considered, and probation and welfare reports will be presented to the court.
At the Special Criminal Court, Gareth Brophy was sentenced for his role in the 2016 murder of David Douglas. Brophy, who pleaded guilty to helping facilitate the murder, was jailed for ten years by Mr Justice Paul Coffey. The sentence was backdated to November 18, 2018, when Brophy entered custody. The final six months of the term were suspended on the condition that Brophy enters a vocational course while in prison. Additionally, the court ordered Brophy to enter a peace bond of €100 for three years from his release. The judge noted Brophy played a critical role as the getaway driver, describing the killing as a gangland execution-style murder. In related proceedings, Frederick Thompson was found guilty of the murder in August 2018 and sentenced to the mandatory term of life imprisonment. Nathan Foley, who pleaded guilty in November 2018 to helping a criminal organisation carry out the murder, was jailed for six years. The court expressed its deepest sympathies to the family of the deceased.
Gareth Brophy, aged 25, of Reuben Walk, Dublin 8, pleaded guilty to facilitating the murder of David Douglas at the Special Criminal Court. Mr Douglas, 55, was shot six times in Shoestown on Bridgefoot Street, Dublin 8, on 1 July 2016. Evidence showed Brophy drove the getaway Mercedes, which he subsequently attempted to set alight near Tandy Court Apartments. While burning the vehicle, his trousers caught fire before he extinguished the flames and fled to a waiting Suzuki Swift. CCTV analysis of 1,500 hours of footage, DNA evidence from the Suzuki's passenger area, and a palm print from the vehicle door linked Brophy to the crime. The court heard his involvement was assessed as more serious than that of Nathan Foley, who received a six-year sentence for the same offence. Brophy was arrested in November 2018. Sentencing was scheduled for 17 February.
A 25‑year‑old man named Gareth Brophy pleaded guilty at the Special Criminal Court to a lesser charge of helping to facilitate the murder of David Douglas. Douglas, aged 55, was shot six times on 1 July 2016 while taking a meal break at his partner's shop on Bridgefoot Street, Dublin 8. Brophy, who lives at Reuben Walk, Dublin 8, admitted that on that day he participated in activities with the intent to aid a criminal organisation in committing the serious offence of Douglas's murder, contrary to Section 72 of the Criminal Justice Act 2006. He pleaded guilty when arraigned and will be sentenced on 13 January 2020. The court heard that Detective Garda Niall Godfrey met Brophy in the Criminal Courts of Justice, explained the charge, and served him a copy of the charge sheet. Seán Gillane SC represented the State, while Michael Bowman SC represented Brophy.
Lewis Larkin (33) was sentenced to seven years with the final 18 months suspended for his role in robbing, falsely imprisoning, and attacking three 15-year-old boys at Fairview Park on June 27, 2018. Judge Martin Nolan described the incident as 'terrifying' for the victims and noted Larkin's 111 previous convictions and intoxication at the time. Craig Douglas (18) was sentenced to three years with the final 20 months suspended. Judge Nolan called the case 'lamentable' and expressed regret over the custodial sentence for Douglas, citing his youth, but noted the 'particularly vicious' nature of the attacks. Both Larkin and Douglas pleaded guilty to three charges of robbery, three charges of false imprisonment, and two charges of assault causing harm to the teenagers. Larkin also admitted to the theft of eight bicycles valued at €6,285. Garda Kevin Murphy stated that the boys were threatened, forced to walk with the accused, and subjected to intimidation and physical violence. The victims were walked around the area to withdraw cash from their bank accounts and were later attacked in a laneway. Victim impact reports were submitted but not read out. The case was heard at the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
Freddie Thompson, a 39‑year‑old Dublin man serving a life sentence for the 2016 murder of David Douglas, withdrew his High Court challenge against the prison authorities over what he described as an "extremely oppressive" regime in Portlaoise Prison's A4 wing, known as the punishment block. The withdrawal followed his transfer from the isolation block to the mainstream prison population. Thompson had argued that the regime violated his human rights, limiting his contact with other prisoners, denying regular exercise, fresh air and education, and causing mental health problems. He had sought orders to end his isolation and improve access to facilities. The court, after hearing the case, accepted that the transfer had occurred within 24 hours and allowed the action to be struck out. The State was asked to recommend legal aid for counsel, a request the court approved.
Brian Rattigan, a 39‑year‑old convicted criminal, has sworn a statement supporting Freddie Thompson's High Court challenge against Portlaoise Prison's A‑wing regime. Rattigan says there is "no bad blood" between him and Thompson, that they have good relations, have spoken long conversations, and that their families have met. He argues that housing them together poses no security threat and that Thompson's 18‑month detention in the punishment block is inhumane compared to the general prison population. Rattigan, who has been in and out of prison since 2003 and is due for release in 2021, claims he will not extend his time in prison and wishes to be moved to an open prison or receive intermittent release. Thompson, serving a life sentence for the 2016 murder of David Douglas, alleges that his regime denies him contact, exercise, fresh air and education, and that he is treated differently from other life‑sentence inmates.
Douglas Byrne, 47, of Clondalkin, pleaded guilty to handling stolen property and possession of scissors at Rolestown Garda Station on 18 August 2018. He was found by gardaí in a highly intoxicated state, fled, was arrested, and searched. A large amount of money, €1,731.50, was discovered in his underwear and identified as belonging to Far East Chinese Restaurant on Ballyfermot Road. Byrne had 120 previous convictions, including burglary, theft and drug offences. He was charged with burglary of the restaurant but pleaded not guilty and the charge was dropped. Judge Melaine Greally sentenced him to three years' imprisonment, suspending the final 12 months on strict conditions. The sentence was backdated to 28 August, when he first entered custody for the matter. The court noted Byrne's long history of drug addiction and prior convictions as mitigating factors.
Philip Douglas, 31, of Monlea Grove, Firhouse, Dublin, was sentenced at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court after pleading guilty to possession for sale or supply of cocaine at his address and a property in Saggart on October 10, 2017. Prosecution evidence indicated that gardaí discovered a significant quantity of cocaine, bulking agent, weighing scales, a hydraulic press, and large blocks of white powder at the Saggart location. Additionally, three bags of MDMA were found at Douglas's residence. The total value of the seized drugs was assessed at €122,340. Douglas admitted to pressing and wrapping the cocaine on instructions to settle a personal debt. Judge Cormac Quinn described the operation as a sophisticated "coke processing plant" but noted that Douglas was not the mastermind and was acting under fear or threat. The judge acknowledged that Douglas is now drug-free and had returned from Australia to care for his cancer-stricken mother. Douglas, who has five previous convictions, received a four-and-a-half-year prison sentence. The judge suspended the final 18 months of this term on the condition that Douglas engages with addiction treatment services. The matter was concluded with this sentencing order.
Nathan Foley, aged 20, was jailed for a year after a prison officer found a mobile phone in his cell, the eighth time in two years. He was due to appear before the Special Criminal Court on charges of facilitating the murder of David Douglas in July 2016. Foley declined an interview with Gardaí but said through his legal team that he had the phone to call his family before sentencing. He had previously pleaded guilty to having a mobile while a prisoner, with 34 convictions including drug offences and seven phone‑related offences. In January 2019 he was jailed for six years for participating in or contributing to the murder of Mr Douglas. Judge Melanie Greally ordered the 12‑month term to run consecutively with the six‑year sentence, citing his history of drug addiction and repeated phone offences. The judge noted that prior sentences had not deterred him.
Nathan Foley, a 20‑year‑old "gillie" who assisted a criminal organiser in the 2016 murder of David Douglas, was sentenced to six years' imprisonment by the Special Criminal Court. Foley admitted in November 2017 that he had helped facilitate the murder, an offence under Section 72 of the Criminal Justice Act 2006, which carries a maximum penalty of fifteen years. He was found to have driven a Mitsubishi Mirage used in the killing, had scouted the area, placed a petrol can in the getaway car, and supplied phones later discovered in that vehicle. The court noted Foley was not involved in planning but acted as a runner for the main organiser, who had already been dealt with by the court. Mitigating factors included his young age, limited cognitive ability, and guilty plea, leading to a six‑year sentence back‑dated to December 2017.
A 24‑year‑old man, Gareth Brophy, has been ordered to appear before the Special Criminal Court for a non‑jury trial. The court, composed of Judges Tony Hunt, Patricia Ryan and Ann Ryan, granted the Director of Public Prosecutions' application under Section 49 of the Offences Against the State Act, stating that ordinary courts were inadequate to secure effective justice. Brophy is accused of murdering 55‑year‑old David Douglas, who was shot six times on July 1, 2016, while taking a meal break at his partner's shop in Shoestown, Bridgefoot Street, Dublin 8. The case follows two other men who have already faced court over the killing: Frederick "Freddie" Thompson, found guilty and sentenced to mandatory life imprisonment in August, and Nathan Foley, who admitted in November to driving one of the four cars used in the murder and will be sentenced on January 25. Brophy was excused from the brief hearing held today.
A 24‑year‑old man charged with the murder of David Douglas in Dublin in 2016 was refused bail by the Central Criminal Court. Douglas, 55, was shot six times while taking a meal break in his partner's shop on Bridgefoot Street on 1 July 2016. The court described Freddie Thompson, 37, as the main organiser and noted he was already serving a life sentence. Nathan Foley, 20, admitted a lesser offence of facilitating the crime between 1 and 4 July 2016 and will be sentenced next month. Gareth Brophy, of no fixed abode, was charged with the murder, served a book of evidence on Thursday and was sent forward for trial to the Special Criminal Court. He applied for bail, but the State objected under the O'Callaghan rules, citing the gravity of the charge and the likelihood of a lengthy sentence. The court, citing the seriousness of the offence and the possibility of absconding, refused bail. Freddie Thompson was convicted.
Nathan Foley, 20, of Rosary Road, Maryland, Dublin 8, was sentenced at the Special Criminal Court for participating in or contributing to activity intending to facilitate the murder of David Douglas. The court heard that Foley acted as a 'foot soldier' and 'runner' for a criminal organisation, driving one of four vehicles used in the killing. Mr Douglas, 55, was shot six times at his partner's shop in Bridgefoot Street on July 1, 2016. Foley admitted to the charge under Section 72 of the Criminal Justice Act 2006, which carries a maximum penalty of 15 years. The court noted his early guilty plea and mitigating factors, including a mild intellectual disability and vulnerability, though the judge described his role as significant. Frederick 'Freddie' Thompson, 37, was previously found guilty of Mr Douglas's murder and sentenced to life imprisonment. The source text indicates Foley was remanded in custody until January 25 for sentencing, but the validated procedural stage is sentence. The report details the coordinated use of stolen vehicles, including a Mercedes and a Mitsubishi Mirage driven by Foley, and the subsequent recovery of evidence linking him to the scene. The court acknowledged his 32 previous convictions, including a concurrent sentence for cocaine possession.
In a non‑jury Special Criminal Court hearing on 22 November 2018, Nathan Foley, aged 20, pleaded guilty to aiding a criminal organisation in the murder of David Douglas, 55, who was shot six times on 1 July 2016 at the counter of his partner's shop on Bridgefoot Street, Dublin 8. Foley admitted that between 1 and 4 July 2016 he participated in or contributed to activities intended to facilitate the commission of the murder, an offence under Section 72 of the Criminal Justice Act 2006. He was also charged with damaging a car on 4 July 2016 at Strand Road, Dublin 4. The court, presided over by Justice Tony Hunt with Judges Sinead Ni Chualachain and Cormac Dunne, remanded Foley in custody until 5 December 2018 for sentencing. The case also noted that Frederick "Freddie" Thompson, 37, had been found guilty of Douglas's murder in August 2018 and sentenced to life imprisonment.
Frederick 'Freddie' Thompson, 37, of Dublin, was found guilty by the Special Criminal Court of the murder of David Douglas on July 1, 2016, on Bridgefoot Street. Thompson had pleaded not guilty to the charge. The non-jury court, presided over by Mr Justice Tony Hunt, determined that Thompson was involved in an intricate, pre-planned execution, specifically driving a Ford Fiesta used for surveillance and coordination, though the prosecution did not allege he fired the shots. The court rejected the defence argument that the circumstantial evidence was insufficient, noting that Thompson's failure to answer garda questioning regarding his movements and possession of vehicles and items constituted a significant factor. Thompson was sentenced to the mandatory term of life imprisonment, backdated to November 1, 2016, when he first entered custody. His legal representative, Michael O'Higgins SC, stated that Thompson intends to appeal the decision. Detective Superintendent Paul Cleary noted that the victim's family was satisfied with the verdict, while the investigation into the case remains ongoing.
In a Special Criminal Court hearing, the judges announced that a verdict in the murder trial of Frederick 'Freddie' Thompson, accused of killing David Douglas, will now be delivered on September 3, rather than the earlier date of October 1. Thompson, 37, pleaded not guilty to the murder that occurred on 1 July 2016 when Douglas was shot six times at Shoestown. The prosecution's case relies on DNA found in two alleged 'spotter' cars and CCTV footage identifying Thompson as a driver. Thompson's counsel, Michael O'Higgins, argued that the delay since the trial's conclusion in May had disadvantaged his client and could impair a safe verdict. The court rejected this claim, noting that the delay mainly affects the preparation of reasons for judgment rather than the decision itself. The verdict will be announced on the scheduled date of September 3.
In a Special Criminal Court hearing, judges announced that verdicts for the three Dubliners accused of murdering 36‑year‑old Gareth Hutch will be delivered on 8 October. Hutch was shot dead on 24 May 2016 outside Avondale House flats, suffering four gunshot wounds. The prosecution alleged that Jonathan Keogh (33) threatened Hutch the evening before, while Thomas Fox (31) and Regina Keogh (41) planned the murder and that Keogh and another man, Mr AB, fired the shots. Fox, Keogh and Regina have pleaded not guilty. Fox denied unlawfully possessing a Makarov handgun on 23 May. Mrs McDonnell (45) was initially arrested on suspicion of murder but later charged with withholding information; that charge was withdrawn and she received immunity. The court described the trial as "long" and noted it involved three trials within a trial, with priority given to the case of Frederick 'Freddie' Thompson. The judges will consider evidence against each co‑accused before delivering the verdicts.
Lawyers for Frederick 'Freddie' Thompson, accused of murdering David Douglas, expressed concern to the Special Criminal Court about the delay in delivering a verdict. Judge Tony Hunt, with Judges Patricia Ryan and Michael Walsh, had earlier indicated that the court would not be able to issue a judgment until 1 October, despite the trial concluding at the end of May. The case, involving complex legal issues and a "heavy trial," required a detailed, reasoned verdict. Thompson, 37, pleaded not guilty on 1 July 2016 after being shot six times at his partner's shop on Bridgefoot Street. The prosecution did not allege Thompson fired the shots but presented DNA evidence linking him to two "spotter" cars and CCTV footage identifying him as a driver. The court heard that four vehicles, including a Mercedes, a Ford Fiesta, a Mitsubishi Mirage and a Suzuki Swift, operated in concert on the day of the murder.
A trial date has been set for Nathan Foley, an 18‑year‑old from Rosary Road, Dublin, at the Special Criminal Court. Foley is accused of murdering 55‑year‑old David Douglas on Bridgefoot Street on 1 July 2016 and of damaging a car on Strand Road on 4 July 2016. The prosecution, led by Tony McGillicuddy, noted that Foley's defence had raised a fitness‑for‑trial issue and that a consultant psychiatrist had been requested but the accused has reportedly obstructed the process. Paul Greene, Foley's solicitor, expressed concern that the professional witness had not been properly facilitated and that Foley was anxious for the case to proceed. Judge Tony Hunt, with Judges Patrician Ryan and Michael Walsh, set the trial for 5 December 2016, expecting it to last up to three weeks, and remanded Foley in custody. The case was listed for mention again on 31 July.
In a Special Criminal Court hearing, the panel of Judges Tony Hunt, Patricia Ryan and Michael Walsh announced that they would not deliver a verdict in the murder case of Frederick 'Freddie' Thompson until 1 October, despite an earlier expectation of a July 24 decision. Judge Hunt explained that the case was complex and the court had been continuously in session, leading to the delay. Thompson, 37, residing on Loreto Road, Maryland, Dublin, pleaded not guilty to the murder of David Douglas, who was shot six times on 1 July 2016 at Shoestown shop on Bridgefoot Street. The prosecution did not allege Thompson fired the shots but presented evidence that his DNA was found in two 'spotter' cars and that CCTV footage identified him as a driver.
In a Special Criminal Court hearing, the prosecution argued that all evidence should lead to a guilty verdict for Frederick 'Freddie' Thompson in the 2016 murder of David Douglas. Thompson, 37, pleaded not guilty. The prosecution highlighted DNA found in two alleged 'spotter' cars, CCTV footage identifying Thompson as a driver, and fingerprints linking him to a Ford Fiesta and a Mitsubishi Mirage. They also cited his history of breaking mobile phones. The defence contended that without proof Thompson was in the Fiesta at the time of the shooting, there was no case. The court rejected a defence application for a not‑guilty verdict, noting the CCTV evidence met the minimum admissibility standard. The judge remanded Thompson in custody until a judgment is delivered on 24 July. The case remains at the trial stage.
In a Special Criminal Court hearing, the defence of Frederick 'Freddie' Thompson, aged 37, applied for a not‑guilty verdict in the murder of David Douglas. The court rejected the application. Thompson, who pleaded not guilty on 1 July 2016, was accused of being involved in a shooting that killed Douglas on Bridgefoot Street. The prosecution presented evidence that Thompson's DNA was found in two cars used in the shooting and that CCTV footage identified him as a driver. Thompson's counsel argued that the evidence was scant, that there was no forensic link to the vehicles, and that the CCTV footage was blurred and flawed. The court upheld the admissibility of the CCTV evidence and declined to alter its earlier decision, with both sides expected to present closing arguments later that day.
The prosecution has closed its case in the Special Criminal Court murder trial of 37‑year‑old Frederick "Freddie" Thompson, who pleaded not guilty to the July 2016 killing of 55‑year‑old David Douglas on Bridgefoot Street. The 10‑day trial heard that Douglas was shot six times shortly after 4 pm while taking a break at his partner's shop, Shoestown. A semi‑automatic pistol with its serial number removed was found beside Douglas's head. The prosecution did not argue that Thompson fired the shots, but the judges heard that his DNA was found in two alleged "spotter" cars used in the shooting and that CCTV footage identified him as the driver of one of those cars. Witness testimony described a silver Mercedes and a silver Suzuki involved in the escape, and CCTV footage showed Thompson leaving a Ford Fiesta on Meath Street and handing a key to a woman at a stall.
In the Special Criminal Court, Frederick 'Freddie' Thompson, 37, pleaded not guilty to the 2016 murder of David Douglas. The court heard that Thompson had been warned that his refusal to explain his presence in two alleged 'spotter' cars could lead to inferences used as corroboration. He gave a 'no comment' reply to questions about his possession of a silver Ford Fiesta, a key, a mobile phone, DNA evidence on an air freshener and hand sanitiser, and his presence in a blue Mitsubishi Mirage. The judges rejected a defence application to exclude private CCTV footage, stating that the cameras did not breach his constitutional right to privacy. The trial continues before Justice Tony Hunt, Judge Flann Brennan and Judge Gerard Griffin.
The Special Criminal Court ruled that Frederick 'Freddie' Thompson's claim of a constitutional right to privacy over CCTV footage was "bordering on the absurd." The court was hearing a defence application to exclude private CCTV footage that the State said linked Thompson to the murder of shoe shop manager David Douglas on 1 July 2016. Thompson, 37, pleaded not guilty. The prosecution presented evidence that Thompson's DNA was found in two alleged 'spotter' cars used in the shooting and that CCTV footage identified him as a driver and as walking across Meath Street that afternoon. The court rejected the argument that the footage breached Thompson's privacy, noting that the cameras merely recorded eye‑witness activity and that the State's interest outweighed any expectation of privacy. The judges declined to rule the evidence inadmissible, and the trial continues before Justice Tony Hunt, Judge Flannan Brennan and Judge Gerard Griffin.
Frederick 'Freddie' Thompson, aged 37, has pleaded not guilty to the murder of shoe shop manager David Douglas, who was shot six times on Bridgefoot Street on 1 July 2016. The Special Criminal Court heard that Thompson's DNA was found in two alleged 'spotter' cars used in the shooting and that he was identified in CCTV footage as the driver of one of those cars. Thompson's barrister, Michael O'Higgins SC, argued that the private CCTV footage used by the State was unlawfully created by property owners who had not registered their systems with the Data Protection Commissioner and had no warning signs. He claimed the footage breached Thompson's right to privacy and should be deemed inadmissible. Prosecutor Sean Gillane SC countered that no legal authority supports such an argument and that there is no reasonable expectation of privacy in the circumstances. The judges will decide tomorrow.
During the Special Criminal Court trial of 37‑year‑old Frederick 'Freddie' Thompson, Detective Garda Seamus O'Donovan gave recognition evidence that Thompson was the driver of a "spotter" vehicle in the 2016 murder of shoe shop manager David Douglas. O'Donovan identified Thompson in three CCTV clips taken on the day of the shooting, showing a bearded driver of a Ford Fiesta, one of the alleged spotter cars. The prosecution does not claim Thompson fired the shots; instead, his DNA was found in two spotter cars. O'Donovan also recounted his prior investigation of Thompson in a 2013 violent disorder case at Morrissey's Pub and his involvement in Thompson's extradition from Holland. The defence, led by Michael O'Higgins SC, challenged the admissibility of the CCTV evidence, arguing the footage was insufficient for reliable identification. The court heard the dispute and will consider submissions before Judge Tony Hunt and the other judges. The unnamed 37-year-old pleaded not guilty.
During the non‑jury Special Criminal Court hearing on the murder of David Douglas, Detective Sergeant Adrian Whitelaw identified Frederick 'Freddie' Thompson, 37, as the man in one of four alleged 'spotter' cars used in the shooting. Whitelaw testified that he had seen a photograph of himself with Thompson a few months earlier and that Thompson's DNA had been found in two of the cars. He also identified Thompson in CCTV footage from Little Caesar's Restaurant and from a stall on Meath Street, describing him as wearing a dark top and a black baseball cap. Whitelaw could not identify the two females in the footage. The trial continues before Mr Justice Tony Hunt, with Judges Flannan Brennan and Gerard Griffin presiding. Thompson has pleaded not guilty to the murder.
During the fifth day of the 37‑year‑old Frederick 'Freddie' Thompson's trial in the Special Criminal Court, the judges were shown CCTV footage of the shooting that killed 55‑year‑old David Douglas on Bridgefoot Street. The footage captured Douglas moving toward the shop entrance at 4.11 pm, a dark figure approaching, and Douglas being shot. It also showed Douglas's daughter arriving to help. Additional footage displayed a man leaving a Ford Fiesta on Meath Street, speaking to a woman at a stall, and breaking a mobile phone to hand parts to her. Garda Ciaran Byrne presented the clips, while the prosecution argued that Thompson was a spotter in the vehicles used in the shooting, with DNA found in two cars. The defense did not contest Thompson's identification in the footage. The trial continues before Mr Justice Tony Hunt and two other judges. The unnamed 37-year-old pleaded not guilty.
In the 'Freddie' Thompson murder trial, forensic evidence showed Thompson's DNA on a hand sanitiser and an air freshener recovered from alleged spotter cars used in the shooting of Dublin shoe shop manager David Douglas. Douglas, 55, was shot six times while eating at the shop counter and died from concussion, brain haemorrhage, facial injuries and obstructed breathing. The prosecution argues Thompson was in one of the spotter cars, not the shooter, and that four vehicles operated together that day. Professor Marie Cassidy testified to Douglas's injuries and cause of death, noting half the shots came from different directions, indicating movement by one or both parties. Forensic scientist Sarah Fleming matched Thompson's DNA to items in a Mitsubishi and a Ford Fiesta, estimating the chance of a coincidental match as less than one in a billion. No DNA was found on the gun or cartridges. The trial continues with a legal issue on admissibility of evidence. The unnamed 37-year-old pleaded not guilty.
The trial of Freddie Thompson, 37, for the alleged murder of David Douglas on July 1, 2016, continued before the Special Criminal Court. Mr Thompson, of Maryland, Dublin, has pleaded not guilty to the killing of the 55-year-old shoe shop manager on Bridgefoot Street. Prosecutors allege that four vehicles operated in concert during the incident, which resulted in Mr Douglas being shot six times. While the prosecution does not argue that Mr Thompson physically fired the weapon, they seek to infer he was one of the 'many fingers on the trigger.' On the third day of the trial, witnesses Deivydas Kukanavza and Iveta Sutkote testified regarding a separate incident on Strand Road on July 4, 2016. They described a Mitsubishi repeatedly crashing into a parked silver Suzuki Swift before an occupant poured petrol over the vehicle and set it alight. Ms Sutkote identified the Mitsubishi's registration number, which was later provided to gardai. The court heard that the Mitsubishi was subsequently stopped by police, with a smell of petrol detected inside. Mr Thompson's fingerprints were found within the vehicle. The prosecution characterised the silver Suzuki as the 'ultimate getaway car,' noting it had been stolen from Greystones. The trial is ongoing before Mr Justice Tony Hunt, Judge Flannan Brennan, and Judge Gerard Griffin, with proceedings scheduled to continue on Tuesday.
During the second day of the 37‑year‑old Frederick "Freddie" Thompson's murder trial, a fingerprint expert presented evidence that Thompson's prints were found on two cars the prosecution says were linked to the killing of Dublin shoe shop manager David Douglas. Thompson, who lives on Loreto Road, Maryland, pleaded not guilty to the murder of Douglas on 1 July 2016. Douglas was shot six times in the head, neck and throat while eating a curry in his partner's shop, Shoestown, on Bridgefoot Street. A semi‑automatic pistol with its serial number removed was found next to Douglas's head. The court heard that four vehicles and their occupants, including Thompson, were operating in concert that day. Detective Garda Raymond Kane testified that fingerprints from a blue Mitsubishi Mirage and a silver Ford Fiesta matched Thompson, and that a finger mark on the Mirage's rear‑view mirror was his.
In the Special Criminal Court, the prosecution argued that Freddie Thompson, 36, was one of several conspirators in the carefully planned murder of David Douglas on 1 July 2016. Thompson, who lives on Loreto Road, Maryland, pleaded not guilty. The court was presented with evidence that four vehicles operated together that day, including a Mercedes that carried the shooter and was later burned, a Ford Fiesta, a Mitsubishi Mirage, and a Suzuki Swift, the latter also set on fire. Fingerprint and DNA evidence linked Thompson to the rearview mirrors of the Mirage and Fiesta, a card in the Mirage's glove box, an inhaler in the Mitsubishi, and an air freshener and hand sanitizer in the Fiesta. Witnesses described a man in black approaching the shoe shop, firing several shots, and fleeing. The trial, presided over by Justice Tony Hunt, is expected to last up to two weeks.
The Special Criminal Court adjourned the murder trial of Frederick "Freddie" Thompson, 36, to Wednesday. Thompson, who lives on Loreto Road, Maryland, is charged with the July 1, 2016 shooting death of 55‑year‑old David Douglas on Bridgefoot Street, Dublin. The court had expected the trial to last two weeks. Thompson's defence, Michael O'Higgins SC, argued that most of the case would not be disputed and that the focus would be on the implications rather than the facts, but noted a significant disclosure issue. Justice Tony Hunt granted the adjournment and remanded Thompson in custody until the new date.
Frederick "Freddie" Thompson, aged 36, and Nathan Foley, aged 18, are charged with the murder of David Douglas, 55, who was shot dead on 1 July 2016 at Bridgefoot Street, Dublin. Foley is also charged with damaging a car on 4 July 2016 at Strand Road, Dublin. Both men are remanded in custody. The non‑jury Special Criminal Court, presided over by Mr Justice Tony Hunt, has set a trial date for 30 April next year, with the trial expected to last two weeks. The case was listed for mention again on 21 December.
Freddie Thompson, 36, was charged with the murder of David Douglas, 55, on 1 July 2016 at Bridgefoot Street, Dublin. In a High Court hearing on 3 October 2017, Judge Paul McDermott refused Thompson's bail application, citing flight risk and the seriousness of the charge. Thompson, wearing a grey zip‑up jumper, shouted obscenities at the judge, saying "Fuck off, I'm not listening to that" and "I'm not fucking going back in", and attempted to leave the courtroom. Two women present left before the judge finished ruling. The State, represented by Ronan Prendergast BL, objected to bail on the grounds of flight risk and potential further serious offences. Sergeant Brendan Brogan of Pearse Street Garda Station and Chief Superintendent Francis Clerkin provided evidence supporting the refusal under Section 2A of the Bail Act. Thompson was remanded in custody and the DPP had previously obtained an order for him to face trial at the Special Criminal Court.
A High Court judge will decide whether 36‑year‑old Frederick "Freddie" Thompson, who lives on Loreto Road, Maryland, Dublin 8, should be granted bail. Thompson is charged with the murder of 55‑year‑old David Douglas, who was killed on Bridgefoot Street, Dublin, on 1 July 2016. The Director of Public Prosecutions had previously obtained an order for Thompson to be tried at the Special Criminal Court, arguing that ordinary courts were inadequate for effective administration of justice. Thompson applied for bail in the High Court, but the State objected. Sergeant Brendan Brogan of Pearse Street Garda Station told the court that the seriousness of the charge made Thompson a flight risk and that his release could lead to further serious offences. Chief Superintendent Francis Clerkin also testified that, under Section 2A of the Bail Act, refusal of bail was necessary to prevent the commission of a serious offence.