Courts / Wicklow / Report
Man jailed for killing three-month-old baby must await outcome of appeal against convicition
Summary
Philip Doyle, 38, of Tinakilly, Aughrim, Co Wicklow, was convicted of manslaughter for the death of his ex‑fiancée's three‑and‑a‑half‑month‑old baby, Ross Murphy, at Creagh Demesne, Gory, Co Wexford, on 5 April 2005. The Central Criminal Court, after a four‑week trial, directed the jury to acquit Doyle of murder and return a unanimous manslaughter verdict. He was sentenced to 11 years' imprisonment on 15 May 2012. Doyle's appeal against conviction was opened in the Court of Appeal. His barrister, Giollaíosa Ó Lideadha SC, argued that the incident was an accident, that the judge had not adequately explained the withdrawal of the murder charge, and that expert evidence on physical abuse was unreliable. The Director of Public Prosecutions' counsel countered that medical experts found the baby's injuries inconsistent with an accidental fall. The Court of Appeal will decide the appeal as soon as possible. Philip Doyle pleaded not guilty.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Man jailed for killing three-month-old baby must await outcome of appeal against convicition. Charges or matters: the murder of baby Ross Murphy at Creagh Demesne, Gory, Co Wexford, on April 5 2005. Procedural stage: appeal
When:
- April 5 2005 Hearing Or Sentence
- May 15, 2012 Incident
- March 3rd Incident
- 2015-02-27 Publication
Why: It would have helped his client because the specific intent required to raise manslaughter to murder did not exist – there was no evidence of either the mechanism used or the amount of force used to cause the death of baby Ross. CNI source report
Case subjects
Appellant
Charges: the murder of baby Ross Murphy at Creagh Demesne, Gory, Co Wexford, on April 5 2005 (Alleged Or Contested)
Plea: Not guilty
Outcome: He was subsequently sentenced to 11 years imprisonment by Mr Justice McCarthy on May 15, 2012.
Places mentioned
- Central Criminal Court
- Court of Appeal
Topics
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