Courts / Dublin / Report

Firearms residue found on accused's glove, murder trial hears

Date
2018-12-04

Stage
Trial

Primary locality
Tallaght

County
Dublin

Summary

During a Central Criminal Court hearing, forensic scientist Dr Tom Hannigan reported finding firearms residue on a black woolen glove seized from 22‑year‑old Warren Nolan, who was arrested minutes after the fatal shooting of Alan O'Neill (35) on 27 May 2015. The residue matched that found on a bullet hole in the deceased's clothing, giving "very strong support" for the prosecution's claim that Nolan was the shooter. Nolan has pleaded not guilty to the murder and to a separate charge of setting a car on fire at Belfry Square on the same day. He denied involvement in the murder, denied saying he only set the car on fire, and denied crying at his arrest. The trial, presided over by Mr Justice Paul McDermott, continues with a jury of twelve.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Firearms residue found on accused's glove, murder trial hears. Charges or matters: the murder of Alan O'Neill (35) at the front garden of the deceased's home at Kiltalown Road, Tallaght on May 27, 2015; damaging a car by fire at Belfry Square in Tallaght on the same date. Procedural stage: trial

When:

May 27, 2015 Incident
May 28, 2015 Incident
2018-12-04 Publication

Why: He told Mr Bowman that he did not test the other items of clothing because, having already found firearms residue on the clothing, he did not consider it necessary to go further. CNI source report

Case subjects

Warren Nolan

Accused

Charges: the murder of Alan O'Neill (35) at the front garden of the deceased's home at Kiltalown Road, Tallaght on May 27, 2015; damaging a car by fire at Belfry Square in Tallaght on the same date (Alleged Or Contested)

Plea: Not guilty