Notorious serial killer Mark Nash seeks damages over trial delay

A five-judge Supreme Court heard an application by convicted serial killer Mark Nash seeking damages over delays in his prosecution for murders in Dublin. Nash is serving a life sentence following his conviction for the 1997 killings of two women at sheltered housing in Grangegorman, a conviction now under appeal. He had previously been convicted of murders in Ballintober, County Roscommon in 1997. Nash's legal team argued he was treated as a suspect for twelve years before being charged in 2009, ten years after the Director of Public Prosecutions directed that charges be brought. Counsel contended the delay breached Nash's constitutional and human rights to a trial conducted with due expedition. The application also raised concerns regarding forensic evidence handling at the laboratory. The Director of Public Prosecutions opposed the application, arguing the decision to charge Nash was appropriately timed. The Chief Justice indicated the court would reserve its decision on the matter.