Courts / Cork / Report

Key ID evidence admissible in Douglas murder trial

Date
2021-03-29
Stage
Sentence
Primary locality
Douglas
County
Cork

Summary

The Special Criminal Court has ruled that key identification evidence is admissible in the ongoing trial of Lee Canavan, who is accused of murdering David Douglas. Mr. Canavan, 31, of Rathfarnham, Dublin 14, has pleaded not guilty to the murder of Mr. Douglas (55), who was shot six times at Shoestown, Bridgefoot Street, Dublin 1, on July 1, 2016. He also denies a charge of criminal damage to a vehicle. The prosecution alleges Canavan was the triggerman in a planned assassination. Judge Michael MacGrath, presiding with Judges Sinéad Ní Chúlacháin and Dermot Dempsey, rejected the defence application to exclude CCTV footage and Garda identification evidence, finding no breach of constitutional privacy rights. The State contends Canavan was linked to Frederick 'Fat Freddie' Thompson, who was jailed for life for the murder in 2018. Gareth Brophy, jailed for ten years in 2020, and Nathan Foley, jailed for six years in 2019 after pleading guilty to assisting a criminal organisation, are also connected to the case. The trial continues with closing speeches expected.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Key ID evidence admissible in Douglas murder trial. Charges or matters: the murder of Mr Douglas (55), who was shot six times 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:

Case subjects

Fat Freddie' Thompson

Convicted Person

Charges: the murder of Mr Douglas (55), who was shot six times 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)

Outcome: Fat Freddie' Thompson (41) was jailed for life by the Special Criminal Court for the murder of Mr Douglas.

Gareth Brophy

Convicted Person

Charges: assisting a criminal organisation by driving one of four cars and buying mobile phones used in the offence (Alleged Or Contested)

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

Key Id

Accused

Charges: the murder of Mr Douglas (55), who was shot six times 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)

Lee Canavan

Accused

Charges: the murder of Mr Douglas (55), who was shot six times 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.

Places mentioned

Court Venue
  • Special Criminal Court
Secondary Mention
Address Area
  • Bridgefoot Street
  • Strand Road

Topics

Stage Sentence Violent Crime

Related court reports

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