Courts / Dublin / Report
Alleged gunman in 'meticulously planned assassination' goes on trial
Summary
The trial of Lee Canavan (31) has opened at the Special Criminal Court, where he pleaded not guilty to the murder of David Douglas (55), who was shot dead at Shoestown, Bridgefoot Street, Dublin 1, on July 1, 2016. Canavan also denies criminal damage to a vehicle on July 4, 2016. The State alleges Canavan "literally pulled the trigger" in a "meticulously planned assassination," presenting evidence of a semi-automatic pistol found near the victim and linking Canavan to two vehicles via fingerprints and DNA. Prosecutors detailed the movements of four cars used in the offence, including a Mercedes set alight near Carman's Hall and a Suzuki burned on Strand Road. Nathan Foley (22) was previously jailed for six years after pleading guilty to assisting a criminal organisation by driving one of the cars and buying mobile phones. Frederick 'Fat Freddie' Thompson was jailed for life by the Special Criminal Court for the murder; however, his defence counsel noted a live appeal is currently pending in Thompson's case. The trial, presided over by Mr Justice Michael McGrath, Ms Justice Sinead Ní Chúlacháin, and Mr Justice Dermot Dempsey, is scheduled to last four weeks.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Alleged gunman in 'meticulously planned assassination' goes on trial. Charges or matters: the murder of Mr Douglas (55), who was shot dead at Shoestown, Bridgefoot Street, Dublin 1, on July 1, 2016; assisting a criminal organisation by driving one of four cars and buying mobile phones used in the offence. Procedural stage: appeal
When:
- July 1, 2016 Other
- July 4, 2016 Other
- January 2019 Incident
- August 2018 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2021-03-01 Publication
Case subjects
Appellant
Outcome: Fat Freddie' Thompson was jailed for life by the Special Criminal Court for the murder of Mr Douglas.
Accused
Charges: the murder of Mr Douglas (55), who was shot dead at Shoestown, Bridgefoot Street, Dublin 1, on July 1, 2016; assisting a criminal organisation by driving one of four cars and buying mobile phones used in the offence (Alleged Or Contested)
Plea: Not guilty
Convicted Person
Charges: assisting a criminal organisation by driving one of four cars and buying mobile phones used in the offence (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Nathan Foley (22) of Maryland, Dublin 8, was jailed for six years after he pleaded guilty to assisting a criminal organisation by driving one of four cars and buying mobile phones used in the offence.
Places mentioned
- Special Criminal Court
- Bridgefoot Street
- Strand Road
- Oliver Bond Street
- Lullymore Terrace
- Capel Street
- Douglas
- Strand Road
- Meath Street
Topics
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