Courts / Dublin / Report

Man acquitted of causing serious harm by direction of trial judge

Summary

In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, Mark Lynch, aged 37, was acquitted of assault causing serious harm by direction of the trial judge. Lynch had pleaded not guilty to the charge that he struck Jason Finnegan with a shovel during a dispute on a building site in Garristown. The prosecution alleged that Finnegan fell and sustained head injuries after being hit by a shovel, then was kicked and struck on the head. Lynch testified that he had struck Finnegan with his fist to defend his father, Ernie Lynch, who was also present. Judge Pauline Codd, after a legal application by Lynch's counsel, ruled that the jury could not be satisfied beyond a reasonable doubt that Lynch used a shovel or intended serious harm. Consequently, the judge directed the jury to find Lynch not guilty. The case was described as difficult and harrowing.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Man acquitted of causing serious harm by direction of trial judge. Charges or matters: intentionally or recklessly causing serious harm to Jason Finnegan by striking him with a shovel at Tobergregan, Garristown, north Dublin. Procedural stage: trial

When:

• 2022-07-05 Publication

Why: Mr Lynch said he saw Mr Finnegan raising his fist and that he struck Mr Finnegan with his fist in order to defend his own father. CNI source report

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Trial Violent Crime

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Read the original CNI report