Courts / Kildare / Report

Murderer withdraws appeal against advice of lawyers

Summary

In a Court of Appeal hearing on 24 June 2021, Calvin Cullen, aged 22, withdrew an appeal against his murder conviction, despite his lawyers' advice. Cullen, convicted in September 2020 for the November 2018 murder of David Boland, 34, had previously pleaded guilty to manslaughter but not to murder. The appeal, based on a single ground that the trial judge had refused to allow the jury to consider provocation as a partial defence, was now abandoned. Cullen, represented by barrister Brendan Grehan SC, confirmed he no longer wished to proceed. Judge John Edwards, hearing the case via video link from Mountjoy prison, asked Cullen if he was "completely certain" about the withdrawal; Cullen affirmed his certainty and satisfaction with the legal advice. The judge permitted the withdrawal. Cullen's original conviction was obtained at the Central Criminal Court in Kilkenny, where Judge Tara Burns sentenced him to life imprisonment following a unanimous jury verdict.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Murderer withdraws appeal against advice of lawyers. Charges or matters: murder following a trial last year at the Central Criminal Court in Kilkenny in which he pleaded guilty to manslaughter but not guilty to murder. Procedural stage: appeal. Findings: Convicted

When:

• November 1, 2018 Hearing Or Sentence
• 2021-06-24 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Appeal Violent Crime

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Read the original CNI report