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Garda believed Dean Lyons was "a bit of a Walter Mitty", Grangegorman murder trial hears

Date
2015-02-25
Stage
Sentence
Court
Central Criminal Court
Primary locality
Dublin
County
Dublin

Summary

In a 2015 murder trial, the jury heard that Garda Sergeant Mark Nash had reservations about Dean Lyons, describing him as "a bit of a Walter Mitty." Lyons, who died before the trial, was the first person to admit to the 1997 double murder of Sylvia Shields (60) and Mary Callanan (61) at Orchard View in Grangegorman. He was charged in July 1997. The court considered evidence that a key belonging to Ann Mernagh was found in a garden near Orchard View, and that Lyons had thrown the key into a hedge on Rathdown Road, as stated in a July 26, 1997 statement. Lyons also admitted stealing £30 from under a carpet in the same building. The trial also discussed the involvement of Martin Stafford, who was investigated but ultimately excluded from the case. The proceedings remain ongoing. Mark Nash pleaded not guilty.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Garda believed Dean Lyons was "a bit of a Walter Mitty", Grangegorman murder trial hears. Charges or matters: the double murder of the women in the sheltered accommodation in Grangegorman in July 1997; the murder of Sylvia Shields (60) and Mary Callanan (61) between March 6 and March 7, 1997. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

Case subjects

Dean Lyons

Accused

Charges: the double murder of the women in the sheltered accommodation in Grangegorman in July 1997; the murder of Sylvia Shields (60) and Mary Callanan (61) between March 6 and March 7, 1997 (Alleged Or Contested)

Outcome: The jury of six men and five women heard how a guard by the name of Sgt Dominic Cox had reservations charging Mr Lyons and he said in his statement at the time: "We should be careful of Dean Lyons as he was a bit of a Walter Mitty." Mr McGrath told the court how a man by the name of Martin Stafford, who is serving a life sentence presently in the UK for the murder of a woman, was of considerable interest during the Grangegorman investigation.

Mark Nash

Accused

Charges: the double murder of the women in the sheltered accommodation in Grangegorman in July 1997; the murder of Sylvia Shields (60) and Mary Callanan (61) between March 6 and March 7, 1997 (Alleged Or Contested)

Plea: Not guilty

Walter Mitty

Accused

Charges: the double murder of the women in the sheltered accommodation in Grangegorman in July 1997; the murder of Sylvia Shields (60) and Mary Callanan (61) between March 6 and March 7, 1997 (Alleged Or Contested)

Outcome: The jury of six men and five women heard how a guard by the name of Sgt Dominic Cox had reservations charging Mr Lyons and he said in his statement at the time: "We should be careful of Dean Lyons as he was a bit of a Walter Mitty." Mr McGrath told the court how a man by the name of Martin Stafford, who is serving a life sentence presently in the UK for the murder of a woman, was of considerable interest during the Grangegorman investigation.

Places mentioned

Address Area
  • Prussia Street
  • Clonliffe Road
  • Rathdown Road
  • Cork Street
Secondary Mention
Court Venue
  • Central Criminal Court
Residence
  • Orchard View
Incident
  • Rathdown Road
  • Orchard View
Garda Station
  • guards in the Bridewell Garda Station

Topics

Stage Sentence Theft Violent Crime

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