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Cawley appeals conviction for bludgeoning elderly special needs brothers to death

2019-06-21 · Castlebar, Mayo · Court of Appeal

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Alan Cawley (32) of Four Winds, Corrinbla, Ballina, has appealed his conviction for the murder of two elderly brothers with special needs at the Court of Appeal in Dublin. Cawley was unanimously found guilty by jury in 2017 and received a mandatory life sentence for killing Thomas Blaine (69) and John Blaine (76) at New Antrim Street in Castlebar on 10 July 2013. He admitted the killings but denied murder, claiming diminished responsibility on grounds of mental disorder. The appeal focused on the trial judge's directions to the jury regarding intoxication and its interaction with the diminished responsibility defence. The defence argued the jury may have been directed to exclude intoxication before considering mental disorder, whereas both issues could operate simultaneously. The prosecution maintained the trial judge's instructions were legally sound and that evidence of the crime was overwhelming. A three-judge panel reserved judgment.

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