Courts / Westmeath / Report
Animal identification expert gives dog DNA evidence at murder trial
Summary
During the murder trial of Paul O'Beirne and Jeffrey Morrow, Dr Rebecca Weld presented DNA evidence linking a bulldog to a car seat cover found at the accused's home. Dr Weld, a PhD in animal identification and former director of Weatherbys DNA laboratories, had examined DNA from a black cocker‑spaniel named Lily and an English bulldog named Bailey in 2016. She matched a partial DNA profile from a white hair on the cover to Bailey, noting the probability of a match with another dog was one in a billion. The cover, recovered from a bin in O'Beirne's garden, was similar to a canvas sheet from Joseph Cogan's stolen Volkswagen Golf GTI, which he claimed was used to protect his car from dog hairs. Cogan had provided hair samples from his fawn bulldog and black cocker‑spaniel. The prosecution argues the fatal shots were fired from the Golf. Paul O'Beirne pleaded not guilty. Jeffrey Morrow pleaded not guilty.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Animal identification expert gives dog DNA evidence at murder trial. Charges or matters: murdering Mr Ryan at McKee Road in Finglas on February 29, 2016. Procedural stage: trial
When:
- July 26, 2016 Hearing Or Sentence
- October 13 Other
- April 14, 2016 Incident
- March 20, 2016 Incident
- April 28, 2016 Hearing Or Sentence
- February 29, 2016 Hearing Or Sentence
- March 15, 2016 Hearing Or Sentence
- March 18, 2016 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2019-07-03 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: murdering Mr Ryan at McKee Road in Finglas on February 29, 2016 (Alleged Or Contested)
Plea: Not guilty
Defendant
Charges: murdering Mr Ryan at McKee Road in Finglas on February 29, 2016 (Alleged Or Contested)
Plea: Not guilty
Places mentioned
- Central Criminal Court
- Blanchardstown
- Blanchardstown District Court
- Colepark Drive
- McKee Road
- Colepark Drive
Topics
Stage Trial Theft Violent Crime
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