Courts / Limerick / Report

Cocaine-bender murderer argues jury inadequately directed about self-defence

Date
2022-03-24

Stage
Appeal

Primary locality
Limerick

Summary

Mark Crawford, aged 44, was convicted of murdering Patrick 'Pa' O'Connor, aged 24, after stabbing him six times in Fitzgerald's Bar, Limerick, on a night of cocaine use. Crawford claimed self‑defence, arguing he feared O'Connor would kill or stab him, but the jury did not accept this defence and he was found guilty of murder in October 2020. The Court of Appeal heard that the trial judge, Ms Justice Tara Burns, had not adequately instructed the jury on how to assess Crawford's self‑defence claim, and that the prosecution had not proven Crawford did not honestly believe he needed to use force. Crawford appealed on the basis that the verdict was unsafe and unsatisfactory, while the Director of Public Prosecutions maintained that the jury's instructions were proper and the self‑defence test was clear. The appeal judgment is reserved. Mark Crawford pleaded not guilty.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Cocaine-bender murderer argues jury inadequately directed about self-defence. Charges or matters: Mr O'Connor's murder on July 7 or 8, 2018, claiming he had been acting in self-defence at the time. Procedural stage: appeal

When: