Courts / Louth / Report

"Small-time criminals" died of gunshot wounds to head, trial hears

Date
2018-06-29

Stage
Trial

Primary locality
Louth

County
Louth

Summary

In a Central Criminal Court hearing, a 35‑year‑old Dublin man, Jason O'Driscoll, faced charges of murdering two fellow Dubliners, Anthony Burnett, 31, and Joseph Redmond, 25, on 7 March 2012 in County Louth. O'Driscoll pleaded not guilty to both counts. The court heard evidence from Deputy State Pathologist Dr Khalid Jaber, who examined the charred remains of the victims found in a burning car six years earlier. Dr Jaber reported that both men died from gunshot wounds to the head, with cyanide poisoning identified as a secondary cause in Redmond's case, likely resulting from the vehicle's combustion. He noted that each victim had been struck by two bullets, and that heat had fractured several bones, obscuring some features. The trial, presided over by Mr Justice Michael White, will continue with a jury of five women and seven men, who will be instructed to rely on circumstantial evidence to determine guilt.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: "Small-time criminals" died of gunshot wounds to head, trial hears. Charges or matters: both charges and the jury will be asked to use circumstantial evidence to convict him. Procedural stage: trial

When: