Courts / Dublin / Report

Major part of DNA profile matches that of murder accused, Sunset House trial hears

Summary

During the Special Criminal Court hearing on 21 July 2020, the prosecution presented DNA evidence linking the murder suspect, 41‑year‑old David Hunter of White City, London, to a mask recovered from the Audi A6 involved in the 2016 shooting of Michael Barr. Dr Edward Connolly testified that a major DNA contributor on a ski‑mask matched 61 % of a mixed profile previously identified as 'unnamed male 2'. This profile was cross‑referenced with DNA from an apple core and a cigarette butt discarded by Hunter during his extradition from the UK, and the odds of the profile being unrelated to Hunter were described as "a thousand‑million to one". Additional mixed DNA was found on a rubber mask, with one major and three minor contributors, and the samples could not be excluded from Hunter's profile. The court also accepted phone evidence from the prosecution, despite defence objections.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Major part of DNA profile matches that of murder accused, Sunset House trial hears. Procedural stage: trial

When:

• April 25, 2016 Hearing Or Sentence
• October 16, 2019 Hearing Or Sentence
• 2020-07-21 Publication

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Trial Violent Crime

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Read the original CNI report