Courts / Dublin / Report

Privacy rights of murderer who stabbed homeless man 183 times were breached, lawyers tell appeal

Summary

The Court of Appeal has heard arguments in the appeal of Philip Dunbar, who was found guilty of murder by a unanimous jury verdict at the Central Criminal Court before Mr Justice Paul McDermott. Dunbar was sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of Adam Muldoon at Butler Park, Jobstown Park, Tallaght, Dublin 24, on June 22 or 23, 2018. Counsel for Dunbar argued that the use of CCTV footage breached his privacy rights, alleging that gardaí failed to comply with legal requirements regarding the harvesting of such data. The defence contended that the footage, which showed Dunbar returning home with Muldoon's Zimmer frame, was gathered in violation of established privacy standards. The three-judge court, presided over by Mr Justice George Birmingham, questioned the validity of these claims, noting that Dunbar was a legitimate suspect and that police have a duty to seek available evidence. The appeal also addressed the admissibility of evidence regarding Dunbar's state of mind, with previous submissions regarding diminished responsibility due to chronic drug abuse having been rejected by the trial judge. The matter was adjourned and continues before the court.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Privacy rights of murderer who stabbed homeless man 183 times were breached, lawyers tell appeal. Charges or matters: murder by a unanimous jury verdict at the Central Criminal Court before Mr Justice Paul McDermott. Procedural stage: appeal. Findings: Found guilty

When:

• June 22 Incident
• 2023-03-30 Publication

Why: The prosecution has to prove everything and there is no proof on that because the gardaí never asked and didn't know about the requirement. Prosecution account reported by CNI

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Drugs Stage Appeal Violent Crime

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Read the original CNI report