Courts / Dublin / Report

Eyewitness tells murder trial of how gunman 'smirked'

Date
2021-03-03

Stage
Sentence

Primary locality
Dublin

County
Dublin

Summary

The Special Criminal Court heard eyewitness testimony in the ongoing trial of Lee Canavan, who has pleaded not guilty to the murder of shoe shop manager David Douglas (55) in Dublin 1 on July 1, 2016. Mr. Douglas was shot six times, sustaining injuries to his chest, neck, back, torso, elbow, and jaw. Canavan also denies a second charge of criminal damage to a Suzuki Swift on July 4, 2016. Prosecution counsel described the incident as a meticulously planned assassination, alleging Canavan was the shooter. Witness Shane Egan testified that he saw a man enter the shop, heard shots, and observed the suspect walk away while smirking. Medical evidence confirmed Mr. Douglas died at 4:55 pm. A loaded semi-automatic pistol was recovered at the scene. Evidence also linked Canavan to a Mitsubishi involved in the alleged arson of the Suzuki Swift, where he was arrested with €1,065 in cash and petrol on his clothing. The court noted that Nathan Foley (22) was jailed for six years in 2019 after pleading guilty to assisting a criminal organisation by driving one of four cars and buying mobile phones. Additionally, Frederick 'Fat Freddie' Thompson (41) was jailed for life in 2018 for the murder, and Gareth Brophy (26) received a ten-year sentence in February 2020 for acting as a getaway driver. The trial continues before Mr Justice Michael MacGrath.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Eyewitness tells murder trial of how gunman 'smirked'. Charges or matters: murdering shoe shop manager Mr Douglas (55), who was shot six times with injuries to his chest, neck, back, torso, elbow and jaw 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: sentence

When:

July 1, 2016 Other
July 4, 2016 Other
July 1 Other
July 11 Other
July 4 Other
February 2020 Hearing Or Sentence
2021-03-03 Publication

Case subjects

Fat Freddie' Thompson

Convicted Person

Outcome: Fat Freddie' Thompson (41) was jailed for life by the Special Criminal Court for the murder of Mr Douglas. Gareth Brophy (26) was jailed in February 2020 for ten years by the Special Criminal Court for his role as getaway driver.

Gareth Brophy

Convicted Person

Outcome: Gareth Brophy (26) was jailed in February 2020 for ten years by the Special Criminal Court for his role as getaway driver.

Lee Canavan

Accused

Charges: murdering shoe shop manager Mr Douglas (55), who was shot six times with injuries to his chest, neck, back, torso, elbow and jaw 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

Nathan Foley

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.