Courts / Limerick / Report
Man jailed for violently stabbing flatmate claims admission should not have been admissible
Summary
Jean Louis Fancony, a 39-year-old French national formerly of Limerick, appealed his conviction for assault causing serious harm to his flatmate, Tim Crowley. Fancony, who pleaded not guilty claiming self-defence, was convicted by a jury in November 2020 and sentenced to seven-and-a-half years' imprisonment in February 2021. Judge Tom O'Donnell described the injuries as "appalling" and "horrific." At the Court of Appeal, defence counsel James Dwyer SC argued that an alleged admission made to Garda Enda Clifford was inadmissible because it was not read back to or signed by Fancony. Dwyer contended this undermined the fairness of the trial, particularly regarding the spontaneity required for a self-defence argument. The State, represented by John O'Sullivan BL, submitted that the trial judge had delivered a reasoned ruling on admissibility and that the notebook's contents remained open to interpretation. The three-judge court, presided over by Mr Justice George Birmingham, reserved its judgement. Consequently, the matter was adjourned and remains pending a final decision.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Man jailed for violently stabbing flatmate claims admission should not have been admissible. Procedural stage: appeal. Findings: Convicted
When:
- November 2020 Incident
- July 22, 2019 Incident
- 2023-01-12 Publication
Why: Mr Dwyer said that Gda Clifford had told the trial that "he [Fancony] said he knifed the Irish guy because he was a Satanist and that after 35 years he had met with destiny". CNI source report
Case subjects
Convicted Person
Plea: Not guilty
Finding: Convicted
Outcome: Convicted; Imposing sentence on Fancony at Limerick Circuit Criminal Court in February, 2021, Judge Tom O'Donnell said the victim had sustained "appalling injuries" as a result of the attack and sentenced Fancony to seven-and-a-half years' imprisonment.
Places mentioned
- Limerick
- Limerick Circuit Criminal Court
- and detained at Limerick Garda Station
- Limerick
Topics
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