Courts / Dublin / Report

Jury should have been discharged after accused offered juror lighter outside court, appeal court told

Date
2015-03-23

Stage
Appeal

Primary locality
Blanchardstown

County
Dublin

Summary

Two Dublin men, David Crowley (38) and Alan Wilson (36), appealed their convictions for trespassing and assault at Dromheath Drive, Blanchardstown, on 3 June 2009. Crowley also faced a second charge of unlawful firearm possession. Both were found guilty by a jury at the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court and sentenced to eight and seven years' imprisonment respectively by Judge Desmond Hogan on 12 April 2013. In the appeal, Crowley's counsel, James O'Brien SC, argued that the jury should have been discharged after Crowley offered a juror a cigarette lighter outside court, an act described by the jury as a "jaw‑dropping moment." O'Brien also highlighted the victim's former partner, Lisa Murray, who later retracted her statement and claimed no memory of the events. Wilson's counsel, Padraig Dwyer SC, contended that there was no evidence of trespassing or assault, that the admission of Murray's statement was wrong, and that evidence of Wilson's bullet‑proof vest was prejudicial. David Crowley pleaded not guilty. Alan Wilson pleaded not guilty.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Jury should have been discharged after accused offered juror lighter outside court, appeal court told. Charges or matters: trespass while committing assault causing harm at Dromheath Drive in Blanchardstown on June 3, 2009. Procedural stage: appeal

When:

June 3, 2009 Incident
April 12, 2013 Incident
2015-03-23 Publication

Case subjects

Alan Wilson

Appellant

Charges: trespass while committing assault causing harm at Dromheath Drive in Blanchardstown on June 3, 2009 (Alleged Or Contested)

Plea: Not guilty

Outcome: Having been found guilty by a jury at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, Crowley was sentenced to eight years imprisonment and Wilson seven years imprisonment by Judge Desmond Hogan on April 12, 2013.

David Crowley

Appellant

Charges: trespass while committing assault causing harm at Dromheath Drive in Blanchardstown on June 3, 2009 (Alleged Or Contested)

Plea: Not guilty