Courts / Meath / Report

Murder accused working together to kill during chihuahua row, prosecution say

Date
2017-02-13

Stage
Trial

Primary locality
Navan

County
Meath

Summary

In the 2017 trial of Wayne Cluskey, 25, and Josh Turner, 24, both accused of murdering Christopher Nevin on 19 November 2015, the prosecution argued that the two men acted together to kill Nevin during a dispute over a pedigree chihuahua. Michael O'Higgins SC presented evidence that Turner had loaned a male chihuahua to Nevin, who owned three females and only one became pregnant, creating friction. The prosecution claimed that Cluskey and Turner drove to Nevin's home, where Nevin emerged with a hatchet. CCTV footage was cited to show Cluskey striking Nevin with an axe, followed by Turner's blows, and later Cluskey's use of the hatchet. The prosecution urged the jury to consider the defendants' claims of self‑defence and the possibility of manslaughter if the force used was deemed excessive. Both men had pleaded not guilty and were set to give their closing arguments the following day.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Murder accused working together to kill during chihuahua row, prosecution say. Charges or matters: the murder of Christopher Nevin at Tailteann Road, Navan on November 19, 2015. Procedural stage: trial

When:

November 19, 2015 Other
2017-02-13 Publication

Why: " In Mr Turner's case there is a further defence of provocation, whereby if he had lost all self control because of what Mr Nevin did, a manslaughter verdict could also be returned. Defence account reported by CNI