Courts / Limerick / Report

Gary Campion brings appeals against two separate convictions for murder

Date
2015-03-10
Stage
Appeal
Primary locality
Limerick
County
Limerick

Summary

Gary Campion, aged 31, has lodged appeals against two separate murder convictions. The first conviction concerns the killing of 34‑year‑old bouncer Brian Fitzgerald outside his home on 29 November 2002; the second concerns the shooting death of 21‑year‑old Frank Ryan on 16 September 2006. Campion denied involvement in both murders. He was found guilty in two separate Central Criminal Court trials and received two life sentences, one imposed by Justice Peter Charleton on 15 November 2007 and the other by Justice Paul Carney on 28 May 2009. In the appeal for the Fitzgerald case, counsel Martin O'Rourke argued that the trial was unfair because the defence was not allowed to have the key prosecution witness, convicted murderer James Martin Cahill, examined psychologically or psychiatrically. O'Rourke cited medical notes indicating Cahill's paranoia and hallucinations, and claimed that without a proper medical assessment the witness's testimony could not be reliably relied upon.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Gary Campion brings appeals against two separate convictions for murder. Procedural stage: appeal. Findings: Found guilty

When:

Why: Counsel for Campion, Martin O'Rourke SC, submitted to the Court of Appeal today that the trial for the murder of Mr Fitzgerald should not have been allowed to proceed because the defence were not in a position to have a key prosecution witness psychologically or psychiatrically examined. Prosecution account reported by CNI

Case subjects

Gary Campion

Appellant

Finding: Found guilty

Outcome: Found guilty; He was found guilty in two separate Central Criminal Court trials and was given two life sentences, first by Mr Justice Peter Charleton on November 15, 2007 and then by Mr Justice Paul Carney on May 28, 2009.

Places mentioned

Journey Or Route
Residence
Court Venue
  • Central Criminal Court
  • Court of Appeal
Secondary Mention

Topics

Stage Appeal Violent Crime

Related court reports

Read the original CNI report

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