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Injuries to women found dead in Grangegorman "outside" pathologist's experience, jury hear

Summary

Injuries to women found dead in Grangegorman 'outside' pathologist's experience, jury hear. At the trial of Mark Nash (42), who has last addresses at Prussia Street and Clonliffe Road in Dublin, the jury heard that retired State Pathologist John Harbison described the serious injuries to Sylvia Shields (60) and Mary Callanan (61), found dead in sheltered accommodation in Grangegorman in March 1997, as 'outside' his experience in 26 years. Mark Nash has pleaded not guilty to the murder of Sylvia Shields and Mary Callanan between March 6 and March 7, 1997. Former State Pathologist Professor John Harbison's lengthy reports were read to the court by Mr Brendan Grehan SC, acting for the State, detailing the post-mortems. The reports indicated that Ms Callanan had died from a stab wound to her left lung, the cutting of her throat, and three superficial stab wounds to her heart, with an attempt made to amputate her left breast. Ms Shields had died from bleeding into her chest, described as a 'quick death' due to massive bleeding from the aorta. Detective Garda Eugene Gilligan, who was attached to the Garda Technical Bureau at the time, testified about the discovery of the bodies and the knives found at the scene. The trial continues.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Injuries to women found dead in Grangegorman "outside" pathologist's experience, jury hear. Charges or matters: the murder of Sylvia Shields (60) and Mary Callanan (61) between March 6 and March 7, 1997. Procedural stage: trial

When:

• March 6 Other
• March 7, 1997 Other
• March 7 1997 Hearing Or Sentence
• July 29, 1997 Incident
• 2015-01-26 Publication

Why: Mr Harnett asked Mr Gilligan: "Was that because someone in custody had noted the carpet and the person who referred to seeing a cut in the carpet was Dean Lyons and you were asked to go back to see if it was there? CNI source report

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Trial Violent Crime

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Read the original CNI report