Courts / Dublin / Report

Youth convicted of murdering homeless man was a 'child under pressure', appeal told

Summary

The Court of Appeal has heard arguments regarding the conviction of Philip Dunbar, who was found guilty by a unanimous jury at the Central Criminal Court before Mr Justice Paul McDermott for the murder of Adam Muldoon. Dunbar, who was 17 at the time, was sentenced to life imprisonment for stabbing Mr Muldoon 183 times at Butler Park, Tallaght, on June 22 or 23, 2018. Defence counsel argued that a Garda interview admission should be excluded because Dunbar was a 'child under pressure' and the conditions were unfair. They also contended that his responsibility was diminished due to a mental disorder caused by chronic drug abuse and that CCTV evidence breached privacy rights. The State rejected these submissions, noting that expert psychiatric evidence at trial found no mental disorder and that the interview was conducted responsibly with legal representation present. The judges questioned whether the interview duration constituted oppression or unfairness, with one judge noting that Dunbar's impatience did not amount to his will being overborne. The court has reserved its judgement in this appeal, meaning the matter was adjourned and is not yet concluded.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Youth convicted of murdering homeless man was a 'child under pressure', appeal told. 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
• 2023-03-31 Publication

Why: A garda interview with a young man jailed for life for murdering a homeless man with a disability, who he stabbed 183 times, should not have been allowed into evidence because the conditions were unfair and the then-accused made admissions as a "child under pressure", the Court of Appeal has been told. CNI source report

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Drugs Stage Appeal Violent Crime

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Read the original CNI report