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Serial killer's appeal to continue in December
Summary
The Court of Appeal hearing into Mark Nash's conviction for the 1997 Grangegorman murders in Dublin will conclude in December. Nash, aged 44, was found guilty in 2015 of murdering two women whose bodies were discovered in sheltered accommodation two decades earlier. He received a mandatory life sentence. Nash is also serving a life term for a double killing in Ballintober, County Roscommon, committed five months prior. His appeal challenges the DNA evidence linking him to the Dublin murders and raises concerns about potential contamination during forensic examination. The defence also contends his detention was unlawful and questions the circumstances of his admissions. The prosecution maintains the case against Nash is compelling, citing his confessions alongside forensic evidence and footwear matching. Counsel for the Director of Public Prosecutions argued contamination would require an implausible series of coincidences. Replying submissions are scheduled for December 20th before the three-judge appellate panel.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Serial killer's appeal to continue in December. Charges or matters: the murder of Sylvia Sheils (59) and Mary Callanan (61) between March 6 and March 7, 1997. Procedural stage: appeal. Findings: Found guilty
When:
- March 6 Hearing Or Sentence
- March 7, 1997 Hearing Or Sentence
- April 20, 2015 Hearing Or Sentence
- October 1998 Hearing Or Sentence
- August 1997 Hearing Or Sentence
- Wednesday, December 20 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2017-11-08 Publication
Why: Opening an appeal against his conviction for the Grangegorman murders on Monday, Nash's lead senior counsel, Hugh Hartnett SC, told the Court of Appeal that it was an "extraordinary and unusual case" because another man, the late Dean Lyons, had "confessed". CNI source report
Case subjects
Background Person
Charges: the murder of Sylvia Sheils (59) and Mary Callanan (61) between March 6 and March 7, 1997 (Proven)
Finding: Found guilty
Outcome: Found guilty; A Central Criminal Court jury found Nash unanimously guilty after deliberating for four hours following a 48-day trial and he was accordingly given the mandatory life sentence by Mr Justice Carroll Moran on April 20, 2015. A short time later, while Nash was in detention on foot of the Roscommon double killing, he admitted to having carried out the Grangegorman murders five months earlier.
Places mentioned
- Prussia Street
- Clonliffe Road
- Central Criminal Court
- Court of Appeal
- High Court
Topics
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