Courts / Dublin / Report

'Very strong support' for firearms residue match, Eamon Kelly murder trial hears

Date
2021-07-14

Stage
Sentence

Primary locality
Dublin

County
Dublin

Summary

The Special Criminal Court is hearing the trial of Kenneth Donohoe and Darren Murphy, who are charged with the murder of Eamon Kelly and the possession of a Glock pistol with intent to endanger life. Both defendants have pleaded not guilty to all charges. The court heard from forensic expert Dr Tom Hannigan, who testified that there is "very strong support" for the suggestion that firearm residue particles found on a jacket seized from a Tallaght house matched those recovered from shell casings at the murder scene. Dr Hannigan stated that seven different particles were identified in both the jacket pockets and the shells, noting the range of elements was the same. However, he clarified that it was not possible to date the metallic particles or conclusively determine how they came to be in the pockets. The trial concerns the December 2012 shooting of Kelly, a veteran criminal figure, in north Dublin. It is noted that in 2015, Sean Connolly was jailed for life by the Special Criminal Court for the murder of Kelly. The trial continues before a three-judge panel.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: 'Very strong support' for firearms residue match, Eamon Kelly murder trial hears. Charges or matters: the possession of a firearm, a Glock pistol, with intent to endanger life, on the same date and at the same location. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

December 4, 2012 Incident
December 8, 2012 Incident
2021-07-14 Publication

Case subjects

Darren Murphy

Convicted Person

Charges: the possession of a firearm, a Glock pistol, with intent to endanger life, on the same date and at the same location (Alleged Or Contested)

Plea: Not guilty

Eamon Kelly

Accused

Charges: the possession of a firearm, a Glock pistol, with intent to endanger life, on the same date and at the same location (Alleged Or Contested)

Plea: Not guilty

Outcome: In 2015, Sean Connolly, then aged 35, of Bernard Curtis House, Bluebell, Dublin, was jailed for life by the Special Criminal Court for the murder of veteran criminal Kelly.

Kenneth Donohoe

Accused

Charges: the possession of a firearm, a Glock pistol, with intent to endanger life, on the same date and at the same location (Alleged Or Contested)

Plea: Not guilty

Sean Connolly

Convicted Person

Outcome: Sean Connolly, then aged 35, of Bernard Curtis House, Bluebell, Dublin, was jailed for life by the Special Criminal Court for the murder of veteran criminal Kelly.