Courts / Dublin / Report

Lee Canavan guilty of murdering David 'Daithí' Douglas

Date
2021-05-20

Stage
Sentence

Primary locality
Crumlin

County
Dublin

Summary

The Special Criminal Court has found Lee Canavan guilty of the murder of David 'Daithí' Douglas, who was shot at Shoestown, Bridgefoot Street, Dublin 1, on July 1, 2016. Canavan, 31, had pleaded not guilty to the charge, alleging he was part of a joint enterprise to murder Mr. Douglas, who died from injuries to his chest, neck, back, torso, elbow, and jaw. The court ruled that while it could not be satisfied beyond reasonable doubt that Canavan was the gunman, he was guilty due to his active participation in the shared intention to kill. He was also found guilty of criminal damage to a Suzuki Swift on July 4, 2016, an act intended to destroy evidence. The prosecution, led by Sean Gillane SC, argued the murder was meticulously planned and that Canavan's actions were inextricably linked to those of co-defendants. Frederick 'Fat Freddie' Thompson was previously jailed for life for the murder. Nathan Foley pleaded guilty to assisting a criminal organisation and was jailed for six years. Gareth Brophy was jailed for ten years for his role as a getaway driver. The court emphasized the coordinated use of four vehicles and the removal of the pistol's serial number. Canavan's conviction completes the prosecution of the entire group involved in the killing.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Lee Canavan guilty of murdering David 'Daithí' Douglas. Charges or matters: murdering Mr Douglas, who died after sustaining 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 Hearing Or Sentence
July 1 Hearing Or Sentence
February 2020 Incident
July 4, 2016 Incident
July 11 Other
2021-05-20 Publication

Why: He said Canavan's intent was to "destroy" the Suzuki in order to tie up loose ends and minimise his connection to the murder. CNI source report

Case subjects

Daithí' Douglas

Defendant

Charges: murdering Mr Douglas, who died after sustaining 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

Outcome: In 2018, gangster Frederick 'Fat Freddie' Thompson (41) was jailed for life by the Special Criminal Court for the murder of Mr Douglas. At the trial, Sean Gillane SC, prosecuting, stressed that the actions of Canavan could not be "divorced" from the actions of Thompson, Brophy and Foley, who have all been jailed in connection with the murder Mr Gillane said that there was "overwhelming evidence" in the case and the only rational conclusion to be drawn was that Mr Douglas' murder had been "meticulously planned".

Fat Freddie' Thompson

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. At the trial, Sean Gillane SC, prosecuting, stressed that the actions of Canavan could not be "divorced" from the actions of Thompson, Brophy and Foley, who have all been jailed in connection with the murder Mr Gillane said that there was "overwhelming evidence" in the case and the only rational conclusion to be drawn was that Mr Douglas' murder had been "meticulously planned".

Gareth Brophy

Convicted Person

Outcome: Gareth Brophy (26) was jailed in February 2020 for ten years also by the Special Criminal Court for his role as getaway driver. At the trial, Sean Gillane SC, prosecuting, stressed that the actions of Canavan could not be "divorced" from the actions of Thompson, Brophy and Foley, who have all been jailed in connection with the murder Mr Gillane said that there was "overwhelming evidence" in the case and the only rational conclusion to be drawn was that Mr Douglas' murder had been "meticulously planned".

Lee Canavan

Defendant

Plea: Not guilty

Outcome: At the trial, Sean Gillane SC, prosecuting, stressed that the actions of Canavan could not be "divorced" from the actions of Thompson, Brophy and Foley, who have all been jailed in connection with the murder Mr Gillane said that there was "overwhelming evidence" in the case and the only rational conclusion to be drawn was that Mr Douglas' murder had been "meticulously planned".

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. At the trial, Sean Gillane SC, prosecuting, stressed that the actions of Canavan could not be "divorced" from the actions of Thompson, Brophy and Foley, who have all been jailed in connection with the murder Mr Gillane said that there was "overwhelming evidence" in the case and the only rational conclusion to be drawn was that Mr Douglas' murder had been "meticulously planned".