Courts / Dublin / Report

Witness tells murder trial of moment men wearing "Halloween masks" put gun to man's head

Date
2017-11-23

Stage
Trial

Primary locality
Dublin

County
Dublin

Summary

During the Special Criminal Court trial of Eamonn Cumberton, 30, accused of murdering 35‑year‑old Michael Barr at the Sunset House pub on 25 April 2016, the court heard further witness statements. Stephen Clifford, who was organising a raffle in the pub that night, testified that he saw two men in rubbery Halloween masks approach Barr and place a gun to his head. Clifford described the men as standing "on top of him" and noted that the masks resembled an old man's face. James Fogarty also gave evidence, recalling a car that drove onto a path on Walsh Road, with three people exiting and flames appearing on the passenger side. Fogarty said one of the individuals may have dropped a shiny object near the car, and that the group ran toward a silver car. The trial continues. Eamonn Cumberton pleaded not guilty.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Witness tells murder trial of moment men wearing "Halloween masks" put gun to man's head. Charges or matters: the murder of 35-year old Michael Barr in the Sunset House pub in Dublin's north inner city on April 25th 2016. Procedural stage: trial

When:

April 25th 2016 Other
2017-11-23 Publication

Why: Mr Clifford said that "because there was a bit of messing going on, a bit of banter, I thought it was a wind-up, until I saw him [Mr Barr] at my feet. CNI source report