Courts / Armagh / Report

State's double murder theory "the stuff of James Bond films", defence tell jury

Summary

In July 2018, a 35‑year‑old man, Jason O'Driscoll, stood trial at the Central Criminal Court for the murders of 31‑year‑old Anthony Burnett and 25‑year‑old Joseph Redmond, who had planned to sell him a stolen car. The prosecution alleged that the men were shot in their heads inside a Volkswagen Golf that was later set on fire in Ravensdale Forest Park on 7 March 2012. O'Driscoll pleaded not guilty. Defence counsel Vincent Heneghan SC argued that the prosecution's theory was implausible, likening it to a James Bond film, and questioned the feasibility of two shots being fired within two minutes inside a cramped car. He highlighted alleged gaps in Garda evidence, the lack of forensic links between O'Driscoll and the silver Mercedes cited by the State, and the absence of proof that the victims were shot inside the vehicle.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: State's double murder theory "the stuff of James Bond films", defence tell jury. Charges or matters: murdering 31-year-old Anthony Burnett and 25-year-old Joseph Redmond in Co Louth on March 7th, 2012. Procedural stage: trial

When:

• March 7th, 2012 Hearing Or Sentence
• 2018-07-27 Publication

Why: "In order to convict him, you have to tie him to that Mercedes and I say you can't. CNI source report

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Trial Theft Violent Crime

Related court reports

• Polish man who 'caused mayhem' at Dublin Airport has jail term halved
• Double murderer's conviction upheld, despite claim expert testimony lacked 'scientific validity'
• Migrant chef paid €1.61 an hour for 90-hour weeks in case branded 'economic slavery'
• Gun-runner who sold assault weapons to criminal gangs will have cash returned to him
• 'Ireland's top criminals, LOL': dual citizen gun runner gets 10 years
• Smuggler was vital to gang importing military-grade firearms, court hears

Read the original CNI report