Courts / Dublin / Report
Hearing to resolve disputed facts in case of former Sinn Fein councillor
Summary
The Special Criminal Court has directed a Newton hearing to resolve disputed facts in the sentencing phase of a case involving Jonathan Dowdall and his father, Patrick Dowdall. Both defendants admitted to falsely imprisoning Alexander Hurley and threatening to kill him at Navan Road, Dublin 7, on January 15, 2015. Jonathan Dowdall pleaded guilty to these charges, while Patrick Dowdall also admitted to the threat. Although the matter was previously adjourned after submissions from Jonathan Dowdall's counsel, Mr Michael O'Higgins SC, the court has now scheduled a hearing for tomorrow morning to address conflicts in evidence. Presiding Judge Isobel Kennedy described Newton hearings as "extraordinarily rare" but permitted one in the interests of justice. The hearing will focus on five specific issues, including whether Jonathan Dowdall invited the victim to dinner, the duration of the ordeal, and allegations regarding threats to the victim's family. The judge noted that the sentence hearing is not at an end and that these issues constitute aggravating factors. The court will determine the facts before passing sentence, with the matter currently at the procedural stage of sentencing.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Hearing to resolve disputed facts in case of former Sinn Fein councillor. Charges or matters: threatening to kill Mr Hurley at the same place on the same date. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- January 15th, 2015 Adjournment
- May 19 Adjournment
- January 2015 Incident
- January 2016 Incident
- 2017-05-30 Publication
Why: The court heard that Jonathan Dowdall believed the victim, Alexander Hurley, was pretending to be a barrister and that he was seeking Dowdall's bank details in order to defraud him. Court evidence reported by CNI
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: threatening to kill Mr Hurley at the same place on the same date (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: On May 19, Mr O'Higgins submitted that a number of issues had arisen that the court should take into account before passing sentence.; Earlier this month, the court adjourned the sentencing of Jonathan Dowdall and his father Patrick Dowdall after hearing submissions from Jonathan Dowdall's counsel, Mr Michael O'Higgins SC.
Places mentioned
- The Special Criminal Court
- Special Criminal Court
- Navan Road
Topics
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