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'I'm going home': judge directs not guilty verdict in attempted murder trial

Summary

In a Dublin court, Judge Eileen Creedon directed a jury to find Jamie Berry (27) and Stephen Mulvey (31) not guilty of attempted murder and related charges because the prosecution's evidence was deemed insufficiently strong. The case involved an alleged shooting of a 17‑year‑old at a residential estate on 24 February 2021, with the defendants accused of being the shooter and an accomplice. The judge highlighted the lack of direct evidence linking the men to the crime scene, noting that CCTV footage did not show them at the shooting, and that a gun found in a burned Hyundai could not be tied to either. He also cited the absence of DNA, phone, social‑media or motive evidence. The defence argued that the circumstantial case was too tenuous, and the judge agreed, withdrawing all charges from the jury. The trial had reached its 11th day when the directed verdict was given.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: 'I'm going home': judge directs not guilty verdict in attempted murder trial. Charges or matters: all charges; attempted murder; possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life; criminal damage. Procedural stage: trial

When:

• 24 February Incident
• 2023-03-22 Publication

Why: Today, Ms Justice Creedon told the jury to find Mr Berry and Mr Mulvey not guilty by reason of her direction because the prosecution evidence against the defendants was "not sufficiently strong enough" to ask them to come to a verdict. Prosecution account reported by CNI

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Trial Violent Crime

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Read the original CNI report