Courts / Dublin / Report

Judge "very reluctantly" excludes murder accused from his own trial

Date
2017-03-31

Stage
Trial

Primary locality
Dublin

County
Dublin

Summary

In a Central Criminal Court hearing, Judge Paul Coffey reluctantly excluded 35‑year‑old Vesel Jahiri from his own trial after he chose to represent himself. Jahiri, originally from Kosovo, had pleaded not guilty to the murder of Anna Finnegan, 25, and to assaulting Karl Finnegan on 21 September 2012 at Allendale Glen, Clonsilla. During the trial, Jahiri was accused of abusing his position while cross‑examining witnesses and of "throwing out allegations like confetti." Prosecution counsel called Garda Patricia Davey, who presented CCTV footage from the James Connolly Memorial Hospital Accident and Emergency Department. The footage showed Jahiri arriving in a white car, driving to the hospital, and moving a person from the car to the ground. The judge explained that while a defendant has a right to be present, it is not absolute and must comply with procedure. Consequently, the jury was asked to leave, and the trial will proceed without Jahiri's presence.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Judge "very reluctantly" excludes murder accused from his own trial. Charges or matters: murdering Anna Finnegan (25) at Allendale Glen, Clonsilla, Dublin 15 on September 21, 2012; assaulting Karl Finnegan, causing him harm, at the same place on the same date. Procedural stage: trial

When:

September 21, 2012 Hearing Or Sentence
September 21 Hearing Or Sentence
2017-03-31 Publication

Case subjects

Vesel Jahiri

Accused

Charges: murdering Anna Finnegan (25) at Allendale Glen, Clonsilla, Dublin 15 on September 21, 2012; assaulting Karl Finnegan, causing him harm, at the same place on the same date (Alleged Or Contested)

Plea: Not guilty