Courts / Dublin / Report
Man accused of 1997 double murder said confession was "produced" by gardai
Summary
In a 2015 Central Criminal Court hearing, Mark Nash, 42, pleaded not guilty to the 1997 murders of Sylvia Shields and Mary Callanan. Nash claimed that a confession he gave to Gardaí in August 1997 was "produced" by other Gardaí at Mill Street Garda Station, not entirely his own words. He later said he never claimed the confession was 100% fabricated. The court heard that Nash had expressed distrust of Gardaí, suggesting that words could be twisted. Assistant Commissioner Derek Byrne, who interviewed Nash in 1999, recounted Nash's statements about Garda manipulation. The trial also discussed earlier confessions by Dean Lyons, who was later charged and then had his charge withdrawn. The case remains ongoing.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Man accused of 1997 double murder said confession was "produced" by gardai. Charges or matters: the murder of Sylvia Shields (60) and Mary Callanan (61) between March 6 and March 7, 1997; the double murder of the women in sheltered accommodation. Procedural stage: trial
When:
- March 6 Hearing Or Sentence
- March 7, 1997 Hearing Or Sentence
- December 1999 Hearing Or Sentence
- August 16, 1997 Hearing Or Sentence
- September 14 1998 Incident
- May 19, 2005 Incident
- July 1997 Hearing Or Sentence
- August 16 Hearing Or Sentence
- April 1998 Hearing Or Sentence
- March 6 1997 Hearing Or Sentence
- September 2000 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2015-02-24 Publication
Case subjects
Accused
Charges: the double murder of the women in sheltered accommodation (Alleged Or Contested)
Accused
Charges: the murder of Sylvia Shields (60) and Mary Callanan (61) between March 6 and March 7, 1997; the double murder of the women in sheltered accommodation (Alleged Or Contested)
Plea: Not guilty
Places mentioned
- Prussia Street
- Clonliffe Road
- Mill Street
- Central Criminal Court
- The Central Criminal Court
- Nash at the Bridewell Garda station
- made in Mill Street Garda Station
- Mill Street
- Crime Unit of Bridewell Garda Station
Topics
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