Courts / Dublin / Report
DNA profiles from two women killed in Grangegorman found on jacket belonging to Mark Nash, jury hears
Summary
In a 2015 trial, DNA from two women killed in Grangegorman in 1997 was found on a jacket belonging to Mark Nash, who is 42 and lives in Dublin. The women, Sylvia Shields (60) and Mary Callanan (61), were living in sheltered accommodation attached to St Brendan's Hospital at the time of their deaths. Forensic scientist Dr Linda Williams explained that she received three sealed plastic bags containing thread and buttons from the right cuff of Nash's black pin‑striped velvet jacket in September 2009. She extracted DNA from the threads and a particle found inside the seam of the right sleeve, and matched the profiles to Shields and Callanan respectively. The court heard that the match from the threads was a full profile with minor elements, and that the particle match was also full. The prosecution had nearly finished giving evidence, and the trial continued. Mark Nash pleaded not guilty.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: DNA profiles from two women killed in Grangegorman found on jacket belonging to Mark Nash, jury hears. Charges or matters: murder of Sylvia Shields; murder of Mary Callanan. Procedural stage: trial
When:
- March 6 Hearing Or Sentence
- March 7, 1997 Hearing Or Sentence
- February 2003 Hearing Or Sentence
- September 29 Hearing Or Sentence
- September 24 2009 Hearing Or Sentence
- September 24, 2009 Hearing Or Sentence
- July 2009 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2015-03-19 Publication
Case subjects
Accused
Charges: murder of Sylvia Shields; murder of Mary Callanan (Alleged Or Contested)
Plea: Not guilty
Places mentioned
- Prussia Street
- Clonliffe Road
- 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.