Courts / Dublin / Report

Fundraiser for 'wives of IRA prisoners' held on night bar manager was shot dead

Summary

A fundraiser for the wives of IRA prisoners was held in an inner‑city Dublin pub when the bar manager, Michael Barr, 35, was shot dead. Two men wearing full rubber Hallowe'en masks entered the Sunset House pub after 9 pm and fired seven shots at Barr, killing him at the scene. The Special Criminal Court heard the case after former judge Paul Coffey recused himself; it is now before Justice Alexander Owens. Liverpool native David Hunter, 41, is accused of the murder. Hunter pleaded not guilty and his barrister formally objected to the court's jurisdiction. The trial, with 168 witnesses, is expected to last four to five weeks. The hearing included testimony about the shooting, the discovery of weapons in a silver Audi A6, and the extradition of Hunter from the UK. The case remains at the trial stage.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Fundraiser for 'wives of IRA prisoners' held on night bar manager was shot dead. Charges or matters: the charge at the non-jury court. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

• April 25, 2016 Hearing Or Sentence
• 16 October Incident
• 2020-06-17 Publication

Why: Ms O'Shea said that Mr Barr had been nervous that Monday because of an upcoming prison sentence on Wednesday. CNI source report

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Sentence Violent Crime

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Read the original CNI report