Courts / Dublin / Report

Jury in soldier murder trial ask about fingerprint evidence

Date
2019-02-15
Stage
Trial
Primary locality
Dublin
County
Dublin

Summary

A jury at the Central Criminal Court returned on Monday to consider a verdict in the trial of Gary Watson, 35, who is accused of murdering former soldier Warren O'Connor, 24, on 16 January 2010. Watson pleaded not guilty to the murder, to assaulting Philip Woodcock, 34, on the same occasion, and to producing a knife to intimidate another person. The two‑week trial included evidence that a fight broke out after Woodcock cut power to a neighbour's apartment to end a noisy house party. The jury asked to view CCTV footage again in the courtroom, and the judge allowed it. They also asked whether fingerprints were found on the knives; the judge confirmed that no fingerprints belonging to Watson were found on the blade removed from O'Connor's body or on other knives recovered by Garda Damien Carroll. The jury deliberated for less than an hour before deciding to suspend deliberations for the day and return on Monday morning.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Jury in soldier murder trial ask about fingerprint evidence. Charges or matters: murdering Warren O'Connor (24) at Hole in the Wall Road, Donaghmede, Dublin 13 on January 16, 2010. Procedural stage: trial

When:

Case subjects

Gary Watson

Defendant

Charges: murdering Warren O'Connor (24) at Hole in the Wall Road, Donaghmede, Dublin 13 on January 16, 2010 (Alleged Or Contested)

Plea: Not guilty

Places mentioned

Court Venue
  • Central Criminal Court
Secondary Mention
Residence
Address Area
  • Wall Road
Journey Or Route
  • Wall Road

Topics

Stage Trial Violent Crime

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