Courts / Kildare / Report

Jury must ignore murder accused's 'outburst', judge charges

Summary

The trial of Stephen Penrose, 38, for the alleged murder of Philip Finnegan, 24, at Rahin Woods, Edenderry, Co Kildare, on August 10, 2016, is ongoing. Penrose, of Coolock, Dublin 17, pleaded not guilty. The Central Criminal Court jury has heard that Finnegan's decapitated remains were found buried in September 2016, with forensic evidence indicating death by multiple stab wounds. A DNA profile from a bloodied glove matched Penrose. The prosecution alleges Penrose brought Finnegan to the woods between 4.10pm and 5.13pm, a period supported by CCTV footage of his Alfa Romeo. Penrose claimed he was attacked by men in a black car while testing firearms, but the State argues his changing accounts were an attempt to conceal the body's location. Mr Justice Alexander Owens charged the jury to ignore Penrose's unrepresented status, courtroom outbursts, and character, focusing solely on the evidence. The judge noted Penrose declined to give a closing speech or call witnesses. The jury was instructed to decide if Penrose was the perpetrator. The judge will complete his charge tomorrow morning, after which the jury will begin deliberations.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Jury must ignore murder accused's 'outburst', judge charges. Charges or matters: murdering Philip Finnegan (24) at Rahin Woods, Rahin, Edenderry, Co Kildare on August 10, 2016. Procedural stage: trial

When:

• August 10, 2016 Hearing Or Sentence
• September 2, 2016 Hearing Or Sentence
• September 2 Other
• August 10 Incident
• 2021-11-11 Publication

Why: The judge said the State's case is that the lies and constant changing of accounts by Mr Penrose was because he was trying to distance himself from murdering Mr Finnegan at Rahin Woods and that "this is the only logical explanation for it". CNI source report

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Trial Violent Crime

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Read the original CNI report