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Trial of man accused of 1997 double murder in legal argument until Wednesday
Summary
The trial of Mark Nash, 42, accused of murdering Sylvia Shields (60) and Mary Callanan (61) in March 1997, is ongoing. He pleaded not guilty at the Central Criminal Court. A legal issue halted proceedings, delaying the case until the following Wednesday. The State's counsel, Brendan Grehan SC, questioned forensic evidence, including a black pin‑striped velvet jacket linked to Nash. Dr Maureen Smith, a retired forensic scientist, explained that DNA profiling techniques were limited in the 1990s and that the jacket's DNA was only successfully profiled in 2009. The court heard that the jacket was examined by several scientists, with no blood found, and that DNA from the victims was later detected. Chief Superintendent Padraic Kennedy reported that Nash was formally charged on 10 October 2009 and remanded to appear at Cloverhill District Court on 16 October 2009. The trial will resume with evidence next Wednesday.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Trial of man accused of 1997 double murder in legal argument until Wednesday. 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
- August 1997 Other
- September 14, 1998 Hearing Or Sentence
- July 2009 Hearing Or Sentence
- October 10 2009 Adjournment
- October 16 2009 Adjournment
- 2015-03-13 Publication
Why: Mr Grehan put it to Dr Smith, referring to the DNA of the two deceased women; "Is there a reason for this in comparison to what was subsequently achieved? CNI source report
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
Outcome: Chief Supt told Mr Grehan that Mark Nash was remanded to appear before Cloverhill District Court on October 16 2009.
Places mentioned
- Prussia Street
- Clonliffe Road
- Central Criminal Court
- Cloverhill District Court
- St Brendan's Psychiatric Hospital
- attached to Store Street Garda Station
- Store Street
- Mark Nash in Bridewell garda station
Topics
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