Courts / Dublin / Report

Mum tells attempted murder trial she lied to gardai about ex's threats

Date
2019-11-25
Stage
Trial
Primary locality
Donaghmede
County
Dublin

Summary

Rachel Kirwan, a mother of two, testified that she had lied to GardaĆ­ about former partner Robert Lawlor's threats to kill Fiona Mitchell's mother and harm Derek Mitchell. She claimed she fabricated the story to portray Lawlor negatively after learning he was the gunman who fired two shots at Mitchell's home on 26 May 2018. Kirwan said she changed her statement after discovering she had been misled. She also denied that Lawlor had threatened her regarding Mitchell's mother and that he had shown interest in her children only after she began dating Derek Mitchell. Kirwan's testimony, which includes details of her relationship with Lawlor and Mitchell, was presented to the jury on the day of the trial. The case remains at the trial stage with no verdict yet. Robert Lawlor pleaded not guilty.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Mum tells attempted murder trial she lied to gardai about ex's threats. Charges or matters: the attempted murder of Fiona Mitchell at Moatview Avenue, Priorswood, Dublin on May 26, 2018; the charge of possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life at Moatview Avenue, Priorswood on the same date; making a threat to Rachel Kirwan at Donaghmede, Dublin on a date unknown between January 1 and 31 2018 to kill or cause serious harm to Fiona Mitchell and her son Derek Mitchell; shooting a dog endangering its health and welfare at Moatview Avenue, Priorswood on May 26, 2018. Procedural stage: trial

When:

Why: " She said it happened because she was in a relationship with Mr Mitchell. CNI source report

Case subjects

Robert Lawlor

Accused

Charges: the attempted murder of Fiona Mitchell at Moatview Avenue, Priorswood, Dublin on May 26, 2018; the charge of possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life at Moatview Avenue, Priorswood on the same date; making a threat to Rachel Kirwan at Donaghmede, Dublin on a date unknown between January 1 and 31 2018 to kill or cause serious harm to Fiona Mitchell and her son Derek Mitchell; shooting a dog endangering its health and welfare at Moatview Avenue, Priorswood on May 26, 2018 (Alleged Or Contested)

Plea: Not guilty

Places mentioned

Address Area
  • Moatview Avenue
Secondary Mention
Garda Station
  • at Raheny Garda Station
Facility
  • Ms Mitchell's house
  • Fiona's house

Topics

Stage Trial Violent Crime

Related court reports

Read the original CNI report

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