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Case against €2.2m robbery accused "grounded on pillar of dodgy witness", defence say
Summary
In the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, Anthony Sammon SC defended 45‑year‑old David Byrne, arguing that the prosecution's case hinged on a single, unreliable witness, Alan Drumgoole. Sammon highlighted Drumgoole's admissions of lying to Gardaí and his contradictory statements about phone contacts, including a "Mousey" number that he claimed belonged to Byrne. He urged the jury to disregard Drumgoole's testimony, asserting that without trust in the witness, the prosecution's case collapsed. Byrne, along with Christopher Corcoran (70), Mark Farrelly (47), and Niall Byrne (36), had pleaded not guilty to false imprisonment and robbery of Securicor driver Paul Richardson and his family on 13–14 March 2005, a case that had reached trial for the fifth time. The defence also challenged circumstantial evidence linking Corcoran to the operation, noting discrepancies in phone data and travel routes. The trial proceeded with closing arguments before Judge Melanie Greally and a 14‑member jury.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Case against €2.2m robbery accused "grounded on pillar of dodgy witness", defence say. Charges or matters: the false imprisonment of Securicor driver Paul Richardson and his family at their home at Ashcroft, Raheny, Dublin, on March 13 and 14, 2005; robbing Mr Richardson and Securicor of €2.28 million on March 14, 2005. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- March 13 Hearing Or Sentence
- March 14, 2005 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2018-05-08 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: the false imprisonment of Securicor driver Paul Richardson and his family at their home at Ashcroft, Raheny, Dublin, on March 13 and 14, 2005; robbing Mr Richardson and Securicor of €2.28 million on March 14, 2005 (Alleged Or Contested)
Plea: Not guilty
Defendant
Charges: the false imprisonment of Securicor driver Paul Richardson and his family at their home at Ashcroft, Raheny, Dublin, on March 13 and 14, 2005; robbing Mr Richardson and Securicor of €2.28 million on March 14, 2005 (Alleged Or Contested)
Plea: Not guilty
Defendant
Charges: the false imprisonment of Securicor driver Paul Richardson and his family at their home at Ashcroft, Raheny, Dublin, on March 13 and 14, 2005; robbing Mr Richardson and Securicor of €2.28 million on March 14, 2005 (Alleged Or Contested)
Plea: Not guilty
Places mentioned
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
Topics
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