Courts / Mayo / Report
Dad jailed for life for murder of infant son seeks to overturn conviction
Summary
A man serving a mandatory life sentence for the murder of his infant son has appealed his conviction at the Court of Appeal, challenging the admissibility of postmortem evidence presented during his trial. John Tighe of Lavallyroe, Ballyhaunis, Co Mayo was convicted in March 2018 of murdering his six-and-a-half-month-old son in June 2013. The defence argues the trial judge erred in admitting extracts from a postmortem report prepared by the former Deputy State Pathologist, who was unavailable to attend trial and be cross-examined. Instead, evidence was presented through an alternative pathologist via video link. The defence contends this breached fair trial principles by preventing meaningful challenge to the original findings. The State's counsel argued the subsequent expert was called based on independent medical recommendations and provided his own assessment of the evidence. The three-judge court reserved judgment. John Tighe pleaded not guilty.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Dad jailed for life for murder of infant son seeks to overturn conviction. Charges or matters: murdering six-and-a-half-month old Joshua Sussbier Tighe at his home on June 1, 2013. Procedural stage: appeal
When:
- June 1, 2013 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2022-12-16 Publication
Why: Photo: Collins) A 45-year-old man has appealed his conviction for the murder his infant son, arguing the trial judge should not have allowed evidence from the postmortem report go before the jury because the pathologist was not available to attend the trial. CNI source report
Case subjects
Appellant
Charges: murdering six-and-a-half-month old Joshua Sussbier Tighe at his home on June 1, 2013 (Alleged Or Contested)
Plea: Not guilty
Outcome: He was handed a mandatory life sentence after a jury at his Central Criminal Court trial returned a unanimous guilty verdict on Marc 23, 2018.
Places mentioned
Topics
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