Courts / Dublin / Report

'Chaos and screaming' after gun murder during republican raffle, court hears

Date
2022-04-27

Stage
Appeal

Primary locality
Dublin

County
Dublin

Summary

The Special Criminal Court heard witness testimony during the ongoing trial of Christopher Slator, who has pleaded not guilty to the alleged murder of Michael Barr at the Sunset House pub in Dublin 1 on April 25, 2016. Slator is the third defendant to face trial for this offense. Witnesses described a scene of "chaos and screaming" after two masked men entered the pub, where Barr was shot seven times. The State's case, outlined by prosecutor Dominic McGinn SC, links Slator to the crime through DNA profiles found on a mask and gloves recovered from a burning Audi on Walsh Road. The prosecution also noted that Eamon Cumberton, jailed for life in 2019, and David Hunter, jailed for life in November 2020, are connected to the case. Hunter has since appealed his conviction, placing his matter at the appeal stage. The trial, presided over by Justice Tara Burns, will resume next Tuesday.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: 'Chaos and screaming' after gun murder during republican raffle, court hears. Charges or matters: the murder of Mr Barr at the Sunset House pub on Summerhill Parade in Dublin 1 on April 25, 2016. Procedural stage: appeal

When:

April 25, 2016 Hearing Or Sentence
November 2020 Hearing Or Sentence
2022-04-27 Publication

Why: The witness said he thought there was a silencer on the weapon because the shots, which he believed numbered four, sounded like "party poppers". CNI source report

Case subjects

Christopher Slator

Defendant

Charges: the murder of Mr Barr at the Sunset House pub on Summerhill Parade in Dublin 1 on April 25, 2016 (Alleged Or Contested)

Plea: Not guilty

David Hunter

Appellant

Outcome: David Hunter (43) of Du Cane Road, White City, London, was also jailed for life for the murder of Mr Barr but has since appealed the conviction.

Eamon Cumberton

Appellant

Outcome: Eamon Cumberton, of Mountjoy Street, Dublin 7, who was jailed for life for the murder in 2019. In November 2020, David Hunter (43) of Du Cane Road, White City, London, was also jailed for life for the murder of Mr Barr but has since appealed the conviction.