Courts / Dublin / Report
Closing speeches in Eamon Kelly murder trial
Summary
The Special Criminal Court has adjourned the 32-day trial of Darren Murphy and Kenneth Donohoe to October 26 for a possible judgment. Both men, who pleaded not guilty to the murder of Eamon Kelly and the possession of a Glock pistol with intent to endanger life, have completed closing speeches. Prosecution counsel Dominic McGinn SC alleged that Murphy drove Sean Connolly, who was jailed for life in 2015 for Kelly's murder, to the scene in a Meriva, while Donohoe was linked to the vehicle via fingerprints and firearms residue. Defence counsel Philipp Rahn BL and Paul Carroll SC argued that the State failed to prove their clients' involvement beyond reasonable doubt, citing issues with CCTV identification credibility and the lack of unique forensic evidence. Presiding judge Justice Alex Owens, sitting with Judges Sinéad Ní Chúlacháin and Dermot Dempsey, adjourned the matter. The trial remains pending, with no final verdict or sentence issued at this stage.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Closing speeches in Eamon Kelly murder trial. 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
- October 26 Adjournment
- 2021-07-23 Publication
Why: Mr Rahn said that the firearms residue found on the jacket was "not unique" and "was not a signature mark" because it could have been from a previous incident and that there was no indication how long the residue was in the inside jacket pockets. CNI source report
Case subjects
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
Outcome: Presiding judge Justice Alex Owens, sitting with Judge Sinéad Ní Chúlacháin and Judge Dermot Dempsey, adjourned the 32-day trial to October 26 next, for a possible judgement in the case.
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 Kelly.; Presiding judge Justice Alex Owens, sitting with Judge Sinéad Ní Chúlacháin and Judge Dermot Dempsey, adjourned the 32-day trial to October 26 next, for a possible judgement in the case.
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: Presiding judge Justice Alex Owens, sitting with Judge Sinéad Ní Chúlacháin and Judge Dermot Dempsey, adjourned the 32-day trial to October 26 next, for a possible judgement in the case.
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 Kelly.; Presiding judge Justice Alex Owens, sitting with Judge Sinéad Ní Chúlacháin and Judge Dermot Dempsey, adjourned the 32-day trial to October 26 next, for a possible judgement in the case.
Places mentioned
- The Special Criminal Court
- Special Criminal Court
- Dublin
- Temple Street
- Furry Park Road
- George's Place
- Watermill Road
- Temple Street
- Bernard Curtis House
Topics
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