Courts / Cork / Report
Alleged gunman 'up to his neck' in David Douglas murder, State say
Summary
The Special Criminal Court has remanded Lee Canavan in custody until May 20, when judgment will be delivered on his case. Canavan, 31, pleaded not guilty to the murder of David Douglas, who was shot six times at Shoestown, Bridgefoot Street, Dublin 1, on July 1, 2016. He also denies a second charge of criminal damage to a Suzuki Swift vehicle at Strand Road, Sandymount, on July 4, 2016. Prosecution counsel Sean Gillane SC argued that Canavan was the gunman who "executed" Douglas and was "up to his neck" in the meticulously planned enterprise. The State alleged that Canavan's actions could not be divorced from those of Frederick 'Fat Freddie' Thompson, Gareth Brophy, and Nathan Foley, all of whom have been jailed in connection with the murder. Thompson was jailed for life in 2018 for the murder. In 2019, Nathan Foley pleaded guilty to assisting a criminal organisation by driving one of four cars and buying mobile phones used in the offence, receiving a six-year sentence. Gareth Brophy was jailed for ten years in February 2020 for his role as getaway driver. The defense, led by Michael Bowman SC, challenged the identification evidence, arguing that the prosecution relied heavily on the accused wearing a red top and that DNA on the pistol grip belonged to another man. The court, presided over by Mr Justice Michael MacGrath alongside Judges Sinéad Ní Chúlacháin and Dermot Dempsey, adjourned the matter for judgment.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Alleged gunman 'up to his neck' in David Douglas murder, State say. Charges or matters: assisting a criminal organisation by driving one of four cars and buying mobile phones used in the offence; the murder of Mr Douglas (55), who was shot six times at Shoestown, Bridgefoot Street, Dublin 1, on July 1, 2016. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- July 1, 2016 Other
- July 4, 2016 Other
- February 2020 Incident
- July 1 Hearing Or Sentence
- May 20 Adjournment
- 2021-03-30 Publication
Why: "It's a run of very bad luck that Mr Canavan is connected to all of the vehicles but the coincidences don't stop there and remain in abundance because of the forensic evidence," he said. CNI source report
Case subjects
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: Fat Freddie' Thompson (41) was jailed for life by the Special Criminal Court for the murder of Mr Douglas. In 2019, 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.; Mr Justice Michael MacGrath presiding, alongside Judge Sinéad Ní Chúlacháin and Judge Dermot Dempsey, remanded Mr Canavan in custody until May 20, when the court will deliver judgement on the case.
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: Gareth Brophy and Nathan Foley, who have all been jailed in connection with the murder of Dublin man Mr Douglas. Gareth Brophy (26) was jailed in February 2020 for ten years by the Special Criminal Court for his role as getaway driver.; Mr Justice Michael MacGrath presiding, alongside Judge Sinéad Ní Chúlacháin and Judge Dermot Dempsey, remanded Mr Canavan in custody until May 20, when the court will deliver judgement on the case.
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)
Plea: Not guilty
Outcome: Lee Canavan could not be "divorced" from the actions of Freddie Thompson, Gareth Brophy and Nathan Foley, who have all been jailed in connection with the murder of Dublin man Mr Douglas.; Mr Justice Michael MacGrath presiding, alongside Judge Sinéad Ní Chúlacháin and Judge Dermot Dempsey, remanded Mr Canavan in custody until May 20, when the court will deliver judgement on the case.
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. Gareth Brophy (26) was jailed in February 2020 for ten years by the Special Criminal Court for his role as getaway driver.; Mr Justice Michael MacGrath presiding, alongside Judge Sinéad Ní Chúlacháin and Judge Dermot Dempsey, remanded Mr Canavan in custody until May 20, when the court will deliver judgement on the case.
Places mentioned
- Special Criminal Court
- Bridgefoot Street
- Strand Road
- Merton Avenue
- Donore Avenue
- Oliver Bond Street
Topics
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