Courts / Offaly / Report

Evidence of "morally corrupt" behaviour but not of murder, defence tells jury

Summary

In the Central Criminal Court, defence counsel Caroline Biggs SC argued that the evidence against 22‑year‑old Matthew Cummins of Churchview Heights, Edenderry, shows "morally corrupt" behaviour but does not prove he committed murder. Cummins, who pleaded not guilty to the killing of Thomas 'Toddy' Dooley, was present at the crime scene, had taken drugs, and was involved in earlier vandalism, but there is no evidence he intended to kill or seriously injure Dooley. Biggs contended that Cummins' actions after Dooley's death, such as cleaning the scene and possibly setting the body on fire, cannot constitute murder. She urged the jury to find him not guilty of murder but guilty of impeding the arrest or prosecution of the principal offender. The trial also heard defence arguments for Sean Davy, who was to be found not guilty of murder but guilty of manslaughter, and the case will continue with James Davy's defence on Tuesday.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Evidence of "morally corrupt" behaviour but not of murder, defence tells jury. Charges or matters: murder; murdering Thomas 'Toddy' Dooley at Sr Senan Court in Edenderry on February 12, 2014. Procedural stage: trial

When:

• February 12, 2014 Hearing Or Sentence
• 2016-07-29 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Drugs Stage Trial Violent Crime

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Read the original CNI report