Courts / Kildare / Report
Murder accused dispenses with second legal team, rehires in part
Summary
Stephen Penrose, 38, accused of murdering 24‑year‑old Philip Finnegan in Kildare woods, has re‑engaged solicitor Michael French while junior counsel Eoghan Weldon may return to represent him. He has not retained senior counsel Anthony Sammon. Penrose has repeatedly declined to attend his trial, which is in its fourth week at the Central Criminal Court. He previously represented himself, cross‑examining witnesses and accusing a Garda inspector of lying. The judge warned him that continued abuse of witnesses could lead to his removal from the courtroom. Penrose's trial continues with jurors hearing his multiple Garda interviews, where he gave conflicting accounts of the victim's movements and the location of the body. The prosecution has presented evidence of a bloodied glove DNA‑matched to Penrose and phone data linking him to the area where Finnegan's body was found. Stephen Penrose pleaded not guilty.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Murder accused dispenses with second legal team, rehires in part. Charges or matters: murdering Mr Finnegan. Procedural stage: trial
When:
- October 13 Hearing Or Sentence
- October 20 Hearing Or Sentence
- August 10, 2016 Hearing Or Sentence
- September 2 2016 Hearing Or Sentence
- August 10 Incident
- September 2 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2021-11-01 Publication
Case subjects
Places mentioned
- Central Criminal Court
Topics
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