Courts / Dublin / Report

Judge directs acquittal in firearms case over insufficient evidence

Date
2017-12-04

Stage
Trial

Primary locality
Dublin

County
Dublin

Summary

In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court case, Derek McGovern, 35, was acquitted of unlawful possession of a Glock 26 pistol, 14 rounds of 9mm Luger ammunition, and stolen car keys. Judge Melanie Greally directed the jury to return a verdict of not guilty on all charges after concluding that the Director of Public Prosecutions had insufficient evidence to prove McGovern's control over the items. The prosecution's case relied on demonstrating a common design to possess the items and suggested a joint enterprise with a co‑accused, but the judge found this evidence inadequate. McGovern had pleaded not guilty at the start of the trial. Judge Greally thanked the jury for their time and noted that the lack of evidence meant the jury could not convict on any of the charges.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Judge directs acquittal in firearms case over insufficient evidence. Charges or matters: unlawful possession of a Glock 26 semi-automatic pistol, 14 rounds of 9mm Luger calibre ammunition and a set of car keys at Walkinstown Avenue, Dublin on June 18, 2016. Procedural stage: trial

When:

June 18, 2016 Incident
2017-12-04 Publication

Why: A Dublin man has been acquitted of possessing a firearm, ammunition and stolen car keys because of insufficient prosecution evidence in the trial. Prosecution account reported by CNI

Case subjects

Derek McGovern

Defendant

Charges: unlawful possession of a Glock 26 semi-automatic pistol, 14 rounds of 9mm Luger calibre ammunition and a set of car keys at Walkinstown Avenue, Dublin on June 18, 2016 (Alleged Or Contested)

Plea: Not guilty