Courts / Cork / Report

Murderer appeals conviction on grounds that gardaí "harvested" information after arrest for separate matter

Date
2015-01-23

Stage
Appeal

Primary locality
Cork

County
Cork

Summary

John Walsh, 49, appealed his murder conviction, arguing that Gardaí had "harvested" evidence after misleading his solicitor about the nature of his arrest. He was arrested on a bench warrant for failing to display a valid NCT certificate, and his solicitor, Frank Buttimer, was told this was the only issue. While in custody, Walsh provided five sets of material evidence related to the murder of John McManus, which the appeal contends was done without meaningful legal advice. The appeal cites the Supreme Court's Gormley ruling, which requires suspects to receive meaningful legal advice before interrogation. The Court of Appeal has reserved judgment, with a decision expected "as soon as possible.".

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Murderer appeals conviction on grounds that gardaí "harvested" information after arrest for separate matter. Procedural stage: appeal. Findings: Found guilty

When:

October 28 Hearing Or Sentence
November 7 2008 Hearing Or Sentence
December 9, 2010 Incident
2015-01-23 Publication

Case subjects

John Walsh

Appellant

Finding: Found guilty

Outcome: Found guilty; He was found guilty by a jury at a Cork sitting of the Central Criminal Court and given the mandatory life sentence by Mr Justice Paul Carney on December 9, 2010.