Courts / Louth / Report

Jury takes just 43 minutes to acquit man of attempted murder

Date
2019-02-21
Stage
Finding
Primary locality
Louth
County
Louth

Summary

In a swift 43‑minute jury deliberation, Paul Crosby, aged 23, was acquitted of all three charges relating to an attempted murder of Gerard Boyle, aged 33, that occurred on 10 November 2016. The charges were: attempting to murder by stabbing Boyle 28 times, attempting to murder by pushing a car into a canal, and false imprisonment with serious harm. The jury, composed of nine men and three women, returned unanimous not‑guilty verdicts on each count. This was Crosby's second trial for the same offences; the first trial in February 2018 resulted in a not‑guilty verdict on the canal charge but no verdict on the other charges. Justice Carmel Stewart thanked the jury and exempted them from service for five years. Crosby was formally discharged by the judge after the verdicts were announced. The article does not state any subsequent legal actions or outcomes. Paul Crosby pleaded not guilty.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Jury takes just 43 minutes to acquit man of attempted murder. Charges or matters: the attempted murder of Gerard Boyle (33) at Knockcommon, Beauparc, Slane, on November 10, 2016; falsely imprisoning and intentionally or recklessly causing serious harm to Mr Boyle on the same occasion. Procedural stage: finding. Findings: Acquitted

When:

Why: Under cross-examination by Brendan Grehan SC, defending, Mr Boyle said that he lied to the jury at the previous trial last year about not knowing the meaning of a series of notes on his phone, because he was "nervous and scared". Defence account reported by CNI

Case subjects

Paul Crosby

Defendant

Charges: the attempted murder of Gerard Boyle (33) at Knockcommon, Beauparc, Slane, on November 10, 2016; falsely imprisoning and intentionally or recklessly causing serious harm to Mr Boyle on the same occasion (Alleged Or Contested)

Plea: Not guilty

Finding: Acquitted

Outcome: Acquitted

Places mentioned

Secondary Mention
Residence

Topics

Stage Finding Violent Crime

Related court reports

Read the original CNI report

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