Courts / Dublin / Report
"Family feud" gunman has murder conviction upheld
Summary
Michael Taylor, 37, of Summerhill, Dublin, was convicted of murdering Paul Kelly, 26, at Winston Ville apartments on 6 April 2007. He was found guilty by a majority jury at the Central Criminal Court and sentenced to mandatory life imprisonment on 28 November 2011. Taylor's defence argued that the evidence was insufficient, describing it as "mere suspicion" and "short of proof." The Court of Appeal, led by Mr Justice George Birmingham, dismissed the appeal, upholding the conviction. The prosecution's case rested on three circumstantial elements: DNA of Taylor on a glove found 80 m from the scene, phone activity linked to Taylor near the crime, and a family feud that could have provided motive. The court found these elements sufficiently significant to support the jury's verdict, despite acknowledging the case was "finely balanced." No further appeal was granted. Michael Taylor pleaded not guilty.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: "Family feud" gunman has murder conviction upheld. Charges or matters: the murder of Paul Kelly (26) at Winston Ville apartments, Charlemont Road, Clontarf on April 6, 2007. Procedural stage: appeal. Findings: Found guilty
When:
- April 6, 2007 Hearing Or Sentence
- November 28, 2011 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2018-03-16 Publication
Why: Furthermore, the fact that Taylor was linked to the family feud, which it was suggested "provided the background motive for the killing", was also considered to be of significance by the Court of Appeal. CNI source report
Case subjects
Appellant
Charges: the murder of Paul Kelly (26) at Winston Ville apartments, Charlemont Road, Clontarf on April 6, 2007 (Proven)
Plea: Not guilty
Finding: Found guilty
Outcome: Found guilty; He was found guilty by a majority jury verdict at the Central Criminal Court and given the mandatory life sentence by Mr Justice Barry White on November 28, 2011.
Places mentioned
- Charlemont Road
- Central Criminal Court
- Court of Appeal
- mast at Clontarf Garda Station
Topics
Related court reports
- Man charged with having 56k child abuse images and videos remanded on bail
- Ex-Dáil hopeful's allegations against former employer 'complete fantasy', WRC told
- Mater must pay €10k to worker who said he was wrongly accused of abusing patient
- 'I think we know I won't be getting bail' - Daniel Kinahan charged with directing criminal organisation
- Letting agent who claimed alleged domestic violence victim abandoned tenancy by fleeing to refuge must pay €14.7k
- 77-year-old with 470 convictions told Luas staff to 'f**k off'
If a fact, identity, locality or legal outcome needs review, email the newsroom with this report's details prefilled.
Email a correction request