Courts / Dublin / Report

Brian Meehan appeal date may be fixed in December

Date
2014-11-17

Stage
Appeal

Primary locality
Crumlin

County
Dublin

Summary

Brian Meehan, aged 47 and serving a life sentence in Portlaoise prison for the 1996 murder of journalist Veronica Guerin, has applied to quash his 1999 conviction on the grounds of a miscarriage of justice. The appeal is based on new evidence that emerged during the 2001 Special Criminal Court trial of John Gilligan, who was acquitted of Guerin's murder but convicted of cannabis importation. Meehan's case, brought under Section 2 of the Criminal Procedures Act, argues that the new facts disclosed in Gilligan's trial demonstrate that his conviction was wrongful. The Director of Public Prosecutions had previously sought to dismiss the application, but the Court of Criminal Appeal refused that motion earlier this year. Submissions for Meehan's appeal are nearly complete, and the Court of Appeal has listed the case for mention again on December 15, with a hearing date to be fixed thereafter. The appeal remains pending, and no further outcome has been announced.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Brian Meehan appeal date may be fixed in December. Charges or matters: the importation and possession of cannabis resin. Procedural stage: appeal

When:

July 1999 Hearing Or Sentence
June 1996 Hearing Or Sentence
December 15 Hearing Or Sentence
2014-11-17 Publication

Case subjects

Brian Meehan

Convicted Person

Charges: the importation and possession of cannabis resin (Alleged Or Contested)

Outcome: Meehan (47), from Crumlin in Dublin, is serving a life sentence in Portlaoise prison having being convicted in July 1999 of the murder of Veronica Guerin in June 1996 following a 31 day trial before the non-jury Special Criminal Court. He was also jailed on drugs and firearms charges.