Courts / Limerick / Report
Limerick man who was jailed for life has murder conviction quashed on appeal
Summary
Kevin Coughlan, aged 32, had been sentenced to life imprisonment in 2011 for the murder of Francis Greene, who was found dead on Steamboat Quay between 28 and 29 November 2009. In March 2015, Coughlan's counsel, Anthony Sammon SC, appealed the conviction on the grounds that the trial was unsatisfactory, citing the testimony of Deputy State Pathologist Dr Khalid Jabber. Dr Jabber had altered his conclusion during the trial, initially suggesting the possibility of drowning but later concluding that the victim had died before entering the water and had been strangled. The Court of Appeal, presided over by Mr Justice Seán Ryan, agreed that the trial was unsatisfactory and quashed the murder conviction. It substituted a manslaughter conviction under the Criminal Procedure Act 1993. Coughlan was remanded in custody to appear before the Central Criminal Court for sentencing on the following Monday. Kevin Coughlan pleaded not guilty.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Limerick man who was jailed for life has murder conviction quashed on appeal. Charges or matters: murdering Francis Greene at Steamboat Quay on a date unknown between November 28 and 29 2009. Procedural stage: appeal. Findings: Found guilty
When:
- November 28 Hearing Or Sentence
- December 22 2011 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2015-06-18 Publication
Why: Moving an appeal against conviction in March, counsel for Coughlan, Anthony Sammon SC, submitted to the Court of Appeal that the trial was unsatisfactory because of Dr Khalid Jabber's evidence, the then Deputy State Pathologist. CNI source report
Case subjects
Appellant
Charges: murdering Francis Greene at Steamboat Quay on a date unknown between November 28 and 29 2009 (Proven)
Plea: Not guilty
Finding: Found guilty
Outcome: Found guilty; He was found guilty by a jury at the Central Criminal Court and was given the mandatory life sentence by Mr Justice Patrick J McCarthy on December 22 2011.; Coughlan was remanded in custody to Monday next to appear before the Central Criminal Court for sentencing.
Places mentioned
Topics
Related court reports
- Manager at global IT firm denies company 'lied' about position of former Irish employee
- High Court refuses to surrender Limerick man wanted for alleged human trafficking in Greece
- Tipperary man admits attempted murder
- Volunteer who said he was sacked for warning Church officials of 'rogue' relic traders can't pursue case, WRC rules
- Appearance of tips machine in cafe that pulled in €5k unexplained, tribunal notes
- 'You've to get the morning after pill': man who was 18 when he raped girl (15) gets seven years
If a fact, identity, locality or legal outcome needs review, email the newsroom with this report's details prefilled.
Email a correction request