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Man whose DNA was found at Newry courthouse bomb scene appeals IRA conviction

Summary

Darren Weldon, 46, has appealed his conviction for membership of an unlawful organisation styling itself the Irish Republican Army. Weldon, from Kilbarrack in Dublin, pleaded not guilty at the Special Criminal Court on October 14, 2014. He was found guilty by the non-jury court and sentenced to five years imprisonment, with the final year suspended, on January 16, 2017. The prosecution alleged that DNA matching Weldon was found on the number plate of a car that exploded outside Newry courthouse in 2010. Weldon's counsel, Hugh Hartnett SC, argued the trial was corrupted by misdirections, specifically regarding the DNA evidence and association evidence. Hartnett contended the court impermissibly bolstered the DNA sample by finding it was left by primary contact beyond a reasonable doubt. He also challenged the reliance on photos of Alan Ryan, noting that the court incorrectly stated Weldon was in the company of two men with unlawful organisation convictions, a point conceded as incorrect by the DPP's counsel, Paul Greene SC. The DPP argued the conviction was supported by substantial DNA and photo evidence. The Court of Appeal, comprising Mr Justice Alan Mahon, Mr Justice John Edwards, and Mr Justice John Hedigan, reserved its judgement on the appeal.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Man whose DNA was found at Newry courthouse bomb scene appeals IRA conviction. Charges or matters: membership of an unlawful organisation styling itself the Irish Republican Army. Procedural stage: appeal. Findings: Found guilty

When:

• October 14th, 2014 Hearing Or Sentence
• January 16, 2017 Hearing Or Sentence
• February 2010 Incident
• September 2012 Incident
• 2018-02-06 Publication

Why: He said the Special Criminal Court "bolstered" the DNA evidence by finding that the sample found on the number plate was left by primary contact "beyond a reasonable doubt" because of the other evidence that existed. CNI source report

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Appeal

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Read the original CNI report