Courts / Dublin / Report

State told to prepare "substantive response" to appeal brought by Veronica Guerin murderer

Date
2015-02-23

Stage
Appeal

Primary locality
Crumlin

County
Dublin

Summary

In February 2015, lawyers for the State were instructed to prepare a substantive response to Brian Meehan's appeal, which seeks to have his 1999 conviction for the murder of journalist Veronica Guerin declared a miscarriage of justice. Meehan, 47, is serving a life sentence in Portlaoise Prison after a 31‑day trial before the Special Criminal Court. He also faces convictions for drugs and firearms. Meehan's appeal is based on new evidence that emerged during the 2001 Special Criminal Court trial of John Gilligan. The Director of Public Prosecutions, Tom O'Connell, noted that the evidence was already known before the original appeal and that the DPP had previously moved to dismiss the application, a motion that was refused by the Court of Criminal Appeal. The Court of Appeal has ordered the State to submit a comprehensive response, with case management to be considered on 19 June.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: State told to prepare "substantive response" to appeal brought by Veronica Guerin murderer. Charges or matters: the importation and possession of cannabis resin. Procedural stage: appeal. Findings: Convicted

When:

July 1999 Hearing Or Sentence
June 1996 Hearing Or Sentence
Friday June 19 Hearing Or Sentence
2015-02-23 Publication

Why: President of the Court of Appeal Mr Justice Seán Ryan said a fair amount of Mr Meehan's case was that a Mr Warren is allegedly "not to be trusted" because another court had described him in trenchant terms. CNI source report

Case subjects

Brian Meehan

Convicted Person

Charges: the importation and possession of cannabis resin (Alleged Or Contested)

Outcome: Meehan (47), from Crumlin in Dublin, is serving a life sentence in Portlaoise prison having being convicted in July 1999 of the murder of Ms Guerin in June 1996 following a 31-day-trial before the non-jury Special Criminal Court.

Veronica Guerin

Convicted Person

Charges: the importation and possession of cannabis resin (Proven)

Finding: Convicted

Outcome: Convicted; Meehan (47), from Crumlin in Dublin, is serving a life sentence in Portlaoise prison having being convicted in July 1999 of the murder of Ms Guerin in June 1996 following a 31-day-trial before the non-jury Special Criminal Court.