Courts / Louth / Report

Garda involved in chase with accused hours before fatal stabbing, trial hears

Date
2018-10-04

Stage
Trial

Primary locality
Dundalk

County
Louth

Summary

During a murder trial, Gardaí recounted a car‑chase involving the accused, 24‑year‑old Joseph Hillen, hours before he stabbed taxi driver Martin Mulligan to death. Hillen, who pleaded not guilty, admitted stabbing Mulligan but claimed he did so to protect himself. The chase began shortly after midnight in Dundalk town centre, when Sergeant Michael Kermath and Garda Damien Fanning spotted a Toyota Avensis spinning its tyres outside Ridley's nightclub. They pursued the vehicle with blue lights, but the Avensis accelerated erratically, broke two traffic lights, and fled toward Marsh's Shopping Centre. The patrol car followed until the pursuit became too dangerous, and the officers believed they would not catch the driver before the border with Northern Ireland. CCTV footage of the chase was shown to the jury, and the trial continues before Justice Eileen Creedon.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Garda involved in chase with accused hours before fatal stabbing, trial hears. Charges or matters: the murder of Martin Mulligan (53) at Carnmore, Balriggan, Dundalk, Co Louth on September 28, 2015. Procedural stage: trial

When: