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'There has to be a certain decorum in the courtroom': murderer warned against interrupting own appeal
Summary
Keith O'Neill, 46, was found guilty of murdering John Wilson, 35, in 2012 and sentenced to life in 2015. He appealed, claiming the conviction was unsafe, but during the Court of Appeal hearing he repeatedly interrupted the proceedings. Judge John Edwards warned him to cease gesticulating and shouting, insisting decorum was required. O'Neill could only speak to the judges after consulting his barrister. His lawyer, Ronan Munro SC, sought an adjournment to file new grounds, arguing that evidence not presented at trial—particularly gunshot residue—had been mishandled and could have altered the verdict. The adjournment was granted despite objections from the DPP. The appeal will resume in the New Year. The case involved a fatal shooting of Wilson's seven‑year‑old daughter's father, with O'Neill's prior drug‑related convictions noted by the police. Keith O'Neill pleaded not guilty.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: 'There has to be a certain decorum in the courtroom': murderer warned against interrupting own appeal. Charges or matters: murdering John Wilson (35) on September 28, 2012 at Mr Wilson's home on Cloverhill Road, Ballyfermot Dublin 10. Procedural stage: appeal
When:
- September 28, 2012 Hearing Or Sentence
- May 2015 Hearing Or Sentence
- New Year Other
- 2021-12-09 Publication
Why: After the judges rose to allow O'Neill to consult with his barrister and solicitor, Mr Munro told the court his client was now seeking an adjournment in order to bring a motion to allow him to amend the grounds of the appeal. CNI source report
Case subjects
Appellant
Charges: murdering John Wilson (35) on September 28, 2012 at Mr Wilson's home on Cloverhill Road, Ballyfermot Dublin 10 (Alleged Or Contested)
Plea: Not guilty
Outcome: The evidence, Mr Munro continued, had been handled in an environment where "potential contamination" from armed members of the gardai could have occurred. "My client is sitting there on a life sentence and thinking, 'if the gunshot evidence hadn't gone in, would I be sitting where I am?'," Mr Munro added.
Places mentioned
- Cloverhill Road
- Dublin
- DPP's view
- Central Criminal Court
- Court of Appeal
- Lissadell Drive
- Dublin
- Wheatfield Prison
- of Clondalkin Garda Station
Topics
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