Courts / Dublin / Report

Child's jacket significant in connecting accused to murder, prosecution say

Date
2018-11-15
Stage
Trial
Primary locality
Tallaght
County
Dublin

Summary

The trial of Stephen Tynan and Raymond Fitzgerald for the alleged murder of Andrew Guerrine is ongoing at the Central Criminal Court. Both defendants, who are from Tallaght, have pleaded not guilty to murdering Mr Guerrine at an unknown location between May 22 and May 23, 2015. In his closing address, prosecutor Brendan Grehan SC acknowledged the absence of fingerprints, DNA, a murder weapon, or eyewitness testimony. However, he argued that circumstantial evidence strongly links the accused to the crime. Key evidence includes a child's jacket entangled in the victim's legs when the body was dumped on Steelstown Lane in Rathcoole. The prosecution contends this jacket was connected to a car later found burnt out, which the accused had pushed into a petrol station. Mr Grehan highlighted phone records showing Tynan's phone was inactive during the critical period and Fitzgerald's phone ceased activity shortly before 1am on May 23. He also cited CCTV footage of the car on Steelstown Lane and alleged lies in Fitzgerald's statement to gardai. The prosecution asserts the murder was premeditated, citing efforts to procure a vehicle before the victim arrived in Tallaght. The defense barristers are scheduled to deliver their closing speeches on Friday morning.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Child's jacket significant in connecting accused to murder, prosecution say. Charges or matters: murdering Mr Tynan's cousin, Andrew Guerrine, at an unknown place between May 22 and May 23, 2015. Procedural stage: trial

When:

Case subjects

Raymond Fitzgerald

Defendant

Charges: murdering Mr Tynan's cousin, Andrew Guerrine, at an unknown place between May 22 and May 23, 2015 (Alleged Or Contested)

Plea: Not guilty

Stephen Tynan

Defendant

Charges: murdering Mr Tynan's cousin, Andrew Guerrine, at an unknown place between May 22 and May 23, 2015 (Alleged Or Contested)

Plea: Not guilty

Places mentioned

Court Venue
  • Central Criminal Court
Residence
Address Area
  • Steelstown Lane
  • Blessington Road
Journey Or Route
  • Steelstown Lane

Topics

Stage Trial Violent Crime

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