Courts / Dublin / Report

Alleged murder bid witness denies shooting victim hid in her shed

Date
2019-12-03
Stage
Trial
Primary locality
Dublin
County
Dublin

Summary

The trial of 35‑year‑old Robert Lawlor, who denies threatening to murder his ex‑girlfriend's partner and attempting to murder Fiona Mitchell's mother, is in its final day of evidence. Lawlor, of the Rise, Laytown, Co Meath, pleaded not guilty to the attempted murder of Ms Mitchell at Moatview Avenue, Priorswood, Dublin on 26 May 2018. Ms Mitchell returned to the stand for the third time and denied that Kane McCormack, who was shot dead in 2017, had slept in her garden shed, a claim the prosecution had previously alleged. She described the night of the shooting, noting she heard two men in black, saw a gun, fled to her front door and heard shots, and that her German shepherd was found dead on the back decking. The prosecution also heard from Lawlor's former girlfriend, Rachel Kirwan, who initially claimed he threatened to kill Derek Mitchell's mother but later retracted that statement and said she had lied.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Alleged murder bid witness denies shooting victim hid in her shed. 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, Dublin on the May 26, 2018; 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:

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, Dublin on the May 26, 2018; 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

Topics

Stage Trial Violent Crime

Related court reports

Read the original CNI report

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