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'Cornucopia of evidence' against 'tiger kidnapper' Paschal Kelly, appeal told
Summary
A man from County Cavan is appealing his conviction for a post office robbery in Dublin during which three women were tied up and abducted. Paschal Kelly, aged 56, was convicted in 2018 of robbery, false imprisonment, threatening to kill, and other offences relating to a €92,000 theft from Bayside Post Office in Sutton in September 2014. He was sentenced to 18 years. The Court of Appeal heard arguments on the strength of evidence against him. The State's counsel cited DNA evidence recovered from discarded clothing found at the scene and a bottle in the getaway vehicle, alongside CCTV footage and garda identifications of the driver. The defence challenged the quality of CCTV footage, arguing the jury should have been instructed not to make visual identifications themselves and questioned the reliability of mixed DNA profiles as evidence of guilt. The Court of Appeal reserved judgement.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: 'Cornucopia of evidence' against 'tiger kidnapper' Paschal Kelly, appeal told. Charges or matters: trespass and the false imprisonment of Ms Lawlor, her daughter, Emma Carter, and student Gabriella Saisa. Procedural stage: appeal. Findings: Convicted
When:
- September 25, 2014 Other
- 2022-12-19 Publication
Case subjects
Appellant
Charges: trespass and the false imprisonment of Ms Lawlor, her daughter, Emma Carter, and student Gabriella Saisa (Proven)
Finding: Convicted
Outcome: Convicted; However, lawyers for Kelly in his appeal against his conviction and 18-year sentence have questioned the quality of CCTV footage involved in the case and said the jury in the original trial should have been warned against making any identification. The father-of-two had denied all charges but was found guilty by the jury and sentenced to 18 years by Dublin Circuit Criminal Court in 2018.
Places mentioned
- Court of Appeal
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
- Seabury Drive
Topics
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