Courts / Dublin / Report
Murder trial jury discharged after spotting "crucial" gap in CCTV evidence
Summary
A jury was discharged after discovering a 29‑second gap in CCTV footage used in the murder trial of Donal Colgan, who was accused of killing 45‑year‑old David Sheridan outside Luigi's chip shop on North Strand Road on 17/18 August 2014. Justice Carmel Stewart explained that the missing footage had not been noticed by either the prosecution or defence counsel and that it could be significant. The jury had spent about three hours deliberating before returning to court to ask about the gap. After the judge confirmed the missing portion and deemed it a mistake, she informed the jury that counsel for the defence had applied to discharge them. She noted that the defence and prosecution had questioned witnesses under the assumption that the footage was continuous, and that fair procedure required the jury to be discharged. The judge thanked the jury for their diligence and exempted them from further duty for ten years. Donal Colgan pleaded not guilty.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Murder trial jury discharged after spotting "crucial" gap in CCTV evidence. Charges or matters: murdering 45-year-old David Sheridan outside Luigi's chip shop on the capital's North Strand Road on August 17/18 2014. Procedural stage: trial
When:
- August 17 Adjournment
- December 19 Adjournment
- 2016-11-24 Publication
Why: She said it was a "mistake" and added: "It now transpires that one of you has spotted what people in the trial had not spotted because we were not watching the clock in the corner. CNI source report
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: murdering 45-year-old David Sheridan outside Luigi's chip shop on the capital's North Strand Road on August 17/18 2014 (Alleged Or Contested)
Plea: Not guilty
Places mentioned
Topics
Related court reports
- Man charged with having 56k child abuse images and videos remanded on bail
- Ex-Dáil hopeful's allegations against former employer 'complete fantasy', WRC told
- Mater must pay €10k to worker who said he was wrongly accused of abusing patient
- 'I think we know I won't be getting bail' - Daniel Kinahan charged with directing criminal organisation
- Letting agent who claimed alleged domestic violence victim abandoned tenancy by fleeing to refuge must pay €14.7k
- 77-year-old with 470 convictions told Luas staff to 'f**k off'
If a fact, identity, locality or legal outcome needs review, email the newsroom with this report's details prefilled.
Email a correction request