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Attempted Murder jury warned to be "especially cautious" about identification evidence
Summary
In a case of attempted murder, the jury was cautioned by Mr Justice Paul McDermott to scrutinise the identification evidence presented by a woman who claimed to recognise the gunman. The woman, Ms. Mitchell, alleged that she saw Robert Lawlor holding a gun in her garden before shots were fired into her home and that a dog was also shot. Mr McDermott warned that even multiple witnesses can err, urging jurors to consider the duration and clarity of Ms. Mitchell's view from her lit kitchen into a dark garden. He reminded them that the defence argued her testimony was dishonest. The jury must decide whether the shooting constituted attempted murder or intimidation, and each of the five charges against Lawlor must be judged separately with unanimous verdicts. Lawlor has pleaded not guilty to all charges, including attempted murder, possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life, a threat to a third party, and shooting a dog.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Attempted Murder jury warned to be "especially cautious" about identification evidence. 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:
- May 26, 2018 Incident
- January 1 Incident
- 2019-12-05 Publication
Case subjects
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
Topics
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