Courts / Cork / Report

Claim to constitutional privacy right over CCTV images "borders on the absurd", court rules

Summary

The Special Criminal Court ruled that Frederick 'Freddie' Thompson's claim of a constitutional right to privacy over CCTV footage was "bordering on the absurd." The court was hearing a defence application to exclude private CCTV footage that the State said linked Thompson to the murder of shoe shop manager David Douglas on 1 July 2016. Thompson, 37, pleaded not guilty. The prosecution presented evidence that Thompson's DNA was found in two alleged 'spotter' cars used in the shooting and that CCTV footage identified him as a driver and as walking across Meath Street that afternoon. The court rejected the argument that the footage breached Thompson's privacy, noting that the cameras merely recorded eye‑witness activity and that the State's interest outweighed any expectation of privacy. The judges declined to rule the evidence inadmissible, and the trial continues before Justice Tony Hunt, Judge Flannan Brennan and Judge Gerard Griffin.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Claim to constitutional privacy right over CCTV images "borders on the absurd", court rules. Procedural stage: trial

When:

• July 1st, 2016 Hearing Or Sentence
• 2018-05-16 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Trial Violent Crime

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Read the original CNI report