Courts / Roscommon / Report
Death of Peter Pringle sees end of damages claim against State
Summary
The High Court struck out legal actions against the State brought by the late Peter Pringle following his death in January. Mr Pringle, of Glenicmurrin Costelloe, Co Galway, was originally convicted at the Special Criminal Court in 1981 of the murders of Gardai John Morley and Henry Byrne during a 1980 bank robbery in Ballaghadreen, Co Roscommon. He was sentenced to death, later commuted to 40 years, and served 14 years and 10 months before his convictions were quashed in 1995 as unsafe. Counsel for the applicant, Mr Pringle Paul Carroll SC, instructed by Siuna Bartels, stated that no family member wished to continue the proceedings, which included a damages claim alleging state negligence and constitutional breaches regarding undisclosed evidence. The State, represented by Robert Barron SC, did not object to the strike-out. Mr Justice Rory Mulcahy agreed to strike out the cases, noting that costs orders previously made in Mr Pringle's favour by the Court of Appeal would remain in place. The matter was brought to a finality, ending proceedings that had been remitted to the High Court for fresh consideration after the Court of Appeal set aside a 2019 dismissal based on delay.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Death of Peter Pringle sees end of damages claim against State. Charges or matters: the murders of Gardai John Morley and Henry Byrne during a bank robbery in Ballaghadreen, Co Roscommon in July 1980. Procedural stage: appeal. Findings: Convicted
When:
- July 1980 Other
- 2023-06-15 Publication
Why: The long running proceedings, the High Court heard on Thursday, were struck out due to Mr Pringle's death earlier this year, and because none of his family wished to continue the actions. Court evidence reported by CNI
Case subjects
Applicant
Charges: the murders of Gardai John Morley and Henry Byrne during a bank robbery in Ballaghadreen, Co Roscommon in July 1980 (Proven)
Finding: Convicted
Outcome: Convicted; Photo: Collins) Legal actions brought against the State by the late Peter Pringle, who was originally sentenced to death and spent 15-years behind bars before having his conviction for the 1980 murder of two gardai quashed, have been brought to an end. Mr Pringle, who was based in Glenicmurrin Costelloe, Co Galway, was sentenced to death in 1981 following a trial at the Special Criminal Court, for the murder of the two gardai.
Applicant
Applicant
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