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"Brazen, hard-nosed liar" serving life for murder has appeal dismissed

Summary

The Court of Appeal has dismissed the appeal against the conviction of Sabrina Cummins, who was found guilty by a jury at the Central Criminal Court of murdering Thomas Horan (63) at Cambridge Court, Ringsend, on January 6, 2014. Ms Cummins, then 37, had pleaded not guilty to the charge. Her brother, Kenneth Cummins (29), also pleaded not guilty initially but changed his plea to guilty towards the end of the trial. On November 20, 2015, Mr Justice Tony Hunt sentenced Ms Cummins to a mandatory life term. In her appeal, Ms Cummins' counsel argued that the trial judge improperly pressured her to resume cross-examination after she declined to take the witness box on a subsequent date. Mr Justice George Birmingham, sitting with Mr Justice Alan Mahon and Mr Justice John Edwards, rejected this ground, stating that once an accused chooses to give evidence, they are required to make themselves available for cross-examination to protect the integrity of the trial process. The court also affirmed the decision to conduct a joint trial, noting the prosecution case of joint enterprise. All substantive grounds of appeal were rejected. Regarding the trial judge's description of Ms Cummins as a "brazen, hard-nosed liar," the appellate court held it improper to critique such remarks given the mandatory nature of the life sentence. The court noted a recent probation report was positive in tone.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: "Brazen, hard-nosed liar" serving life for murder has appeal dismissed. Charges or matters: murdering Thomas Horan (63) at Cambridge Court, Ringsend on January 6 2014; the murder but "dramatically" changed his plea to guilty towards the end of the trial. Procedural stage: appeal

When:

• January 6 2014 Hearing Or Sentence
• November 20, 2015 Hearing Or Sentence
• 2017-03-23 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Appeal Violent Crime

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Read the original CNI report