Courts / Louth / Report

"It was all lies I told on him": witness refuses to give evidence at double murder trial

Date
2017-11-16

Stage
Trial

Primary locality
Louth

County
Louth

Summary

The Central Criminal Court trial of Jason O'Driscoll, a 34-year-old Dubliner who has pleaded not guilty to the alleged murder of Anthony Burnett and Joseph Redmond in Co Louth on March 7th, 2012, continued before Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy. Prosecuting counsel Alexander Owens SC called witness Richie Cullinan to give evidence for the State. However, when asked to stand to take the oath, Mr Cullinan refused, stating, "It was all lies I told on him." Despite the judge warning that refusal constituted contempt of court and ordering him to take the oath, Mr Cullinan maintained his refusal. The judge subsequently excused the jury while the State moved on to other technical evidence. This incident marked the second instance in the trial where a witness refused to testify; previously, Crystal Jackson had also refused to swear, stating she did not stand by her statement. The trial, which involves charges of murdering two men found with gunshot wounds in a burning car in Ravensdale Forest Park, continues before a jury of eight men and four women.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: "It was all lies I told on him": witness refuses to give evidence at double murder trial. Charges or matters: murdering 31-year-old Anthony Burnett and 25-year-old Joseph Redmond in Co Louth on March 7th, 2012. Procedural stage: trial

When: