Courts / Dublin / Report

Private CCTV footage illegally created, defence tell Thompson trial

Summary

Frederick 'Freddie' Thompson, aged 37, has pleaded not guilty to the murder of shoe shop manager David Douglas, who was shot six times on Bridgefoot Street on 1 July 2016. The Special Criminal Court heard that Thompson's DNA was found in two alleged 'spotter' cars used in the shooting and that he was identified in CCTV footage as the driver of one of those cars. Thompson's barrister, Michael O'Higgins SC, argued that the private CCTV footage used by the State was unlawfully created by property owners who had not registered their systems with the Data Protection Commissioner and had no warning signs. He claimed the footage breached Thompson's right to privacy and should be deemed inadmissible. Prosecutor Sean Gillane SC countered that no legal authority supports such an argument and that there is no reasonable expectation of privacy in the circumstances. The judges will decide tomorrow.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Private CCTV footage illegally created, defence tell Thompson trial. Charges or matters: the murder of shoe shop manager David Douglas on July 1st, 2016 on Bridgefoot Street in the city. Procedural stage: trial

When:

• July 1st, 2016 Hearing Or Sentence
• 2018-05-14 Publication

Why: "It is also an argument without any authority, and there's good reason for that in circumstances where we've been living with ubiquitous CCTV systems for decades," he said. CNI source report

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Trial Violent Crime

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Read the original CNI report