Courts / Dublin / Report
Impression on lino from Grangegorman house likely to have been made by Caterpillar brand boot, murder trial hears
Summary
In a 2015 murder trial, forensic scientist John McCullough testified that a 2‑cm square mark on lino in a Grangegorman house, where Sylvia Shields and Mary Callanan were killed in 1997, was likely made by a Caterpillar boot. He compared the imprint with black Caterpillar boots belonging to accused Mark Nash, noting the boots were heavily worn and had mechanical damage. McCullough argued the imprint matched the boot's sole pattern but the boot's wear was inconsistent with a new boot, suggesting a newer Caterpillar boot could have produced the mark. Dr Fiona Thornton examined Nash's jacket and boots in 1997, finding no blood stains. Michael Norton examined glass fragments from a duvet cover and a sheet, matching them to the kitchen window at Orchard View, but found no glass in Nash's jacket pockets. The court heard these findings on the day of the hearing. Mark Nash pleaded not guilty.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Impression on lino from Grangegorman house likely to have been made by Caterpillar brand boot, murder trial hears. Charges or matters: the murder of Sylvia Shields (60) and Mary Callanan (61) between March 6 and March 7, 1997. Procedural stage: trial
When:
- March 6 Hearing Or Sentence
- March 7, 1997 Hearing Or Sentence
- October 7, 2014 Hearing Or Sentence
- August 17 1997 Hearing Or Sentence
- October 13 2014 Hearing Or Sentence
- August 1997 Other
- August 18 1997 Other
- July 1997 Other
- August 27 1997 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2015-03-10 Publication
Case subjects
Accused
Charges: the murder of Sylvia Shields (60) and Mary Callanan (61) between March 6 and March 7, 1997 (Alleged Or Contested)
Plea: Not guilty
Places mentioned
- Prussia Street
- Clonliffe Road
- Dublin
- Orchard View
- Central Criminal Court
- St Brendan's Hospital
Topics
Related court reports
- Man charged with having 56k child abuse images and videos remanded on bail
- Ex-Dáil hopeful's allegations against former employer 'complete fantasy', WRC told
- Mater must pay €10k to worker who said he was wrongly accused of abusing patient
- 'I think we know I won't be getting bail' - Daniel Kinahan charged with directing criminal organisation
- Letting agent who claimed alleged domestic violence victim abandoned tenancy by fleeing to refuge must pay €14.7k
- 77-year-old with 470 convictions told Luas staff to 'f**k off'
Help us improve this report
Your request is saved for the newsroom's next review. It does not immediately change the published report.
Prefer email? Send a correction request.