Courts / Tipperary / Report

Tipperary murder trial hears closing speeches

Date
2014-05-30

Stage
Trial

Primary locality
Tipperary

Summary

In a Tipperary murder trial, the jury heard closing speeches on the case of Maurice Power, 31, accused of shooting Shane Rossiter, 29, on 17 October 2012. Prosecutor Anthony Sammon SC urged the jury that the evidence was compelling, citing circumstantial facts such as Power's car seen "burning in a bog," the disposal of his mobile phone, and his own statements to Gardaí about shooting Rossiter twice. He highlighted a detailed confession recorded in Interview Seven, describing Power as relaxed and uncoerced. Defence counsel Dominic McGinn SC challenged the reliability of the confession, arguing that Power's relaxed demeanor did not prove truthfulness and that inconsistencies existed between his account and forensic evidence. He questioned the Gardaí interview process and the lack of a recovered firearm, suggesting the confession alone was insufficient to prove guilt. The jury, composed of seven women and five men, will return next Tuesday for deliberation under Justice Deirdre Murphy. Maurice Power pleaded not guilty.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Tipperary murder trial hears closing speeches. Charges or matters: murdering Mr Rossiter (29) in Tipperary on October 17 2012. Procedural stage: trial

When:

October 17 2012 Hearing Or Sentence
2014-05-30 Publication

Why: by Anne Sharkey The jury at the murder trial of a man accused of shooting Shane Rossiter have been told they can 'happily convict' the accused because the evidence is 'compelling'. CNI source report