Courts / Dublin / Report

Witnesses tell Thompson murder trial of cars being crashed and set alight

Date
2018-05-04

Stage
Trial

Primary locality
Dublin

County
Dublin

Summary

The trial of Freddie Thompson, 37, for the alleged murder of David Douglas on July 1, 2016, continued before the Special Criminal Court. Mr Thompson, of Maryland, Dublin, has pleaded not guilty to the killing of the 55-year-old shoe shop manager on Bridgefoot Street. Prosecutors allege that four vehicles operated in concert during the incident, which resulted in Mr Douglas being shot six times. While the prosecution does not argue that Mr Thompson physically fired the weapon, they seek to infer he was one of the 'many fingers on the trigger.' On the third day of the trial, witnesses Deivydas Kukanavza and Iveta Sutkote testified regarding a separate incident on Strand Road on July 4, 2016. They described a Mitsubishi repeatedly crashing into a parked silver Suzuki Swift before an occupant poured petrol over the vehicle and set it alight. Ms Sutkote identified the Mitsubishi's registration number, which was later provided to gardai. The court heard that the Mitsubishi was subsequently stopped by police, with a smell of petrol detected inside. Mr Thompson's fingerprints were found within the vehicle. The prosecution characterised the silver Suzuki as the 'ultimate getaway car,' noting it had been stolen from Greystones. The trial is ongoing before Mr Justice Tony Hunt, Judge Flannan Brennan, and Judge Gerard Griffin, with proceedings scheduled to continue on Tuesday.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Witnesses tell Thompson murder trial of cars being crashed and set alight. Charges or matters: the murder of David Douglas on July 1st, 2016 on Bridgefoot Street in the city. Procedural stage: trial

When: