Courts / Cork / Report
Man appeals 14-year sentence over shooting which hit woman in neck
Summary
Gavin Sheehan, aged 31, was convicted on 15 May 2016 of possessing a firearm and ammunition, recklessly discharging a firearm, and assault causing serious harm to Ciara Sheehan, a woman who was not related to him. The offence involved firing a handgun through a house window in Cork city, striking Ciara in the neck. Sheehan received a 14‑year prison sentence, with the final three years suspended, imposed by Judge Seán Ó Donnabháin on 14 February 2017. He has now applied to appeal the sentence. In the appeal, Patrick McGrath SC argued that the case relied on circumstantial evidence and that forensic evidence linking the bullet to the firearm was lacking. He highlighted that the bullet casing was found several houses away, that CCTV and 999 call times conflicted, and that some video evidence was of poor quality. The Court of Appeal, presided over by Mr Justice John Edwards, has reserved its judgment.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Man appeals 14-year sentence over shooting which hit woman in neck. Charges or matters: the possession of a firearm and ammunition, reckless discharge of a firearm and assault causing serious harm to Ciara Sheehan, to whom he is not related, on May 15, 2016. Procedural stage: appeal. Findings: Found guilty
When:
- May 15, 2016 Incident
- February 14, 2017 Incident
- 2019-10-14 Publication
Case subjects
Appellant
Charges: the possession of a firearm and ammunition, reckless discharge of a firearm and assault causing serious harm to Ciara Sheehan, to whom he is not related, on May 15, 2016 (Proven)
Finding: Found guilty
Outcome: Found guilty; Sheehan was sentenced to 14 years imprisonment with the final three years suspended by Judge Seán Ó Donnabháin on February 14, 2017.
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