Courts / Derry / Report
Man whose conviction for murdering pregnant ex-girlfriend was quashed faces third trial despite appeal
Summary
Stephen Cahoon, aged 42, was convicted of murdering his pregnant ex‑girlfriend Jean Teresa Quigley, aged 30, in 2012 and sentenced to life imprisonment. His conviction was quashed in March 2015 by the Court of Appeal after a judge misdirected the jury on the defence of provocation. The Court ordered a retrial, and Cahoon's lawyers appealed to avoid a third trial. The Court of Appeal, led by Mr Justice Seán Ryan, upheld the quashing, citing the seriousness of the alleged murder and the need to determine whether Quigley was murdered or the victim of manslaughter. Cahoon had served nearly ten years in prison before the quashing. The retrial was scheduled for October 27, 2015, with Cahoon remaining in custody. The case is notable for being the first under the 1976 Criminal Law Jurisdiction Act to be tried before a jury in the Republic of Ireland.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Man whose conviction for murdering pregnant ex-girlfriend was quashed faces third trial despite appeal. Charges or matters: murder. Procedural stage: appeal
When:
- July 26, 2008 Hearing Or Sentence
- April 30 2012 Hearing Or Sentence
- October 27 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2015-07-20 Publication
Why: Mr Justice Ryan said the court was satisfied that this was a matter of real gravity because of the nature of the crime. CNI source report
Case subjects
Appellant
Charges: murder (Alleged Or Contested)
Outcome: A jury of seven women and five men unanimously found him guilty of murder at the Central Criminal Court on April 30 2012 and he was immediately sentenced to life imprisonment by Mr Justice Barry White.; retrial ordered
Places mentioned
- Harvey Street
- Magherafelt
- Central Criminal Court
- Court of Appeal
- The Supreme Court
- Special Criminal Court
Topics
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