Courts / Limerick / Report
Court of Appeal upholds Barry Doyle's conviction for murdering innocent rugby player Shane Geoghegan
Summary
Barry Doyle, aged 29, was convicted of murdering rugby player Shane Geoghegan in Limerick on 9 November 2008 and sentenced to mandatory life imprisonment by Mr Justice Garrett Sheehan on 16 February 2012. Doyle pleaded not guilty and claimed that Gardaí had induced him to admit the murder during interviews. The Court of Appeal, led by Mr Justice Seán Ryan, rejected all 27 grounds of appeal, finding the trial satisfactory and the conviction safe. The court noted that Doyle's solicitor had approached Gardaí with an offer that Doyle would admit to killing Geoghegan if his girlfriend, Ms Victoria Gunnery, was released, but the court held that Doyle was aware of his actions and that no inducement or threat had been offered. The appeal was dismissed and Doyle remains in prison to serve the remainder of his life sentence.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Court of Appeal upholds Barry Doyle's conviction for murdering innocent rugby player Shane Geoghegan. Charges or matters: the murder of Mr Geoghegan in Limerick on November 9 2008. Procedural stage: appeal. Findings: Found guilty
When:
- November 9 2008 Hearing Or Sentence
- February 16 2012 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2015-06-08 Publication
Why: The inducement theory also failed because he did not demand confirmation that Ms Gunnery had been released following his admissions. CNI source report
Case subjects
Appellant
Charges: the murder of Mr Geoghegan in Limerick on November 9 2008 (Proven)
Plea: Not guilty
Finding: Found guilty
Outcome: Found guilty; Doyle was returned to prison where he will continue to serve out the remainder of his life sentence.
Places mentioned
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