Courts / Kildare / Report

Kildare man jailed for life for shotgun murder of best friend

Date
2014-07-22

Stage
Sentence

Primary locality
Athy

County
Kildare

Summary

Darren Wynne, 21, of Ballyroe, Athy, Co. Kildare, was sentenced to life in prison for the murder of Jamie Lindsay, 20, at Coney Green, Athy, on April 6, 2013. Wynne had pleaded not guilty to murder but was found guilty by a jury at the Central Criminal Court. He was also convicted of possession of a sawn-off shotgun and ammunition with intent to endanger life. Although Wynne pleaded guilty to manslaughter during the trial, the Director of Public Prosecutions did not accept the plea. Mr Justice Garrett Sheehan sentenced Wynne to life for the murder and adjourned sentencing for the firearms offences until November next, pending probation and psychological reports. Two co-accused, Quentin Monaghan, 21, of Stradbally, Co. Laois, and James Seery, 21, of Athy, were rearraigned during the trial. Both pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter, and also pleaded guilty to possession of a sawn-off shotgun and cartridges in suspicious circumstances. These pleas were accepted by the DPP. Monaghan and Seery will be sentenced later. The court heard evidence that Wynne shot Mr Lindsay in the right eye at close range. Wynne claimed self-defence, alleging threats over missing cannabis and threats against his grandmother. The State argued the group intended to scare Mr Lindsay. Wynne's defence raised provocation and accidental discharge. The matter regarding the firearms charges remains adjourned.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Kildare man jailed for life for shotgun murder of best friend. Charges or matters: murder but guilty to manslaughter; possession of a sawn-off shotgun and cartridges in suspicious circumstances on the same date; manslaughter during his trial the plea was not accepted by the Director of Public Prosecutions; Mr Lindsay's manslaughter during the trial and will be sentenced later. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

April 6, 2013 Hearing Or Sentence
July 10 Incident
2014-07-22 Publication

Case subjects

Although Wynne

Convicted Person

Charges: manslaughter during his trial the plea was not accepted by the Director of Public Prosecutions; Mr Lindsay's manslaughter during the trial and will be sentenced later; murder but guilty to manslaughter; possession of a sawn-off shotgun and cartridges in suspicious circumstances on the same date (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: Mr Justice Garrett Sheehan sentenced Wynne to life in prison for the murder and adjourned sentencing for the firearms offences until November next when probation and psychological reports will be before the court. Two other men who were being tried alongside Wynne pleaded guilty to Mr Lindsay's manslaughter during the trial and will be sentenced later.; Mr Justice Garrett Sheehan sentenced Wynne to life in prison for the murder and adjourned sentencing for the firearms offences until November next when probation and psychological reports will be before the court.

James Seery

Accused

Charges: murder but guilty to manslaughter; possession of a sawn-off shotgun and cartridges in suspicious circumstances on the same date (Alleged Or Contested)

Plea: Not guilty

Quentin Monaghan

Accused

Charges: murder but guilty to manslaughter; possession of a sawn-off shotgun and cartridges in suspicious circumstances on the same date (Alleged Or Contested)

Plea: Not guilty