Courts / Dublin / Report

'Trusted friend' lured man to execution-style killing, prosecution tell jury

Date
2023-07-04

Stage
Trial

Primary locality
Tallaght

County
Dublin

Summary

In a Central Criminal Court trial, the prosecution, led by Lorcan Staines SC, argued that Conor Dolan lured 36‑year‑old Neil Fitzgerald to a country lane outside Dublin, where Fitzgerald was shot six times in an execution‑style killing. Staines presented circumstantial evidence: Fitzgerald was picked up from Madison's Bar in Tallaght by Dolan, who drove in a purple BMW 3‑series that was later found washed at a Topaz garage with palm prints matching Fitzgerald. CCTV and mobile‑phone data showed Dolan's movements, including a stop by an unmarked garda car and an automatic number‑plate recognition ping of Dolan's vehicle. A "bin phone" linked to Dolan sent a message about a white van, and both men used dual‑SIM phones. The jury was told the evidence suggested Dolan arranged the meeting and that Fitzgerald was executed, but the jury would decide whether Dolan committed the murder. The trial continues before Justice Eileen Creedon. Conor Dolan pleaded not guilty.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: 'Trusted friend' lured man to execution-style killing, prosecution tell jury. Charges or matters: murdering Neil Fitzgerald (36) at Hills Lane, Crooksling, Tallaght, Dublin 24 on June 5, 2016. Procedural stage: trial

When:

June 5, 2016 Other
2023-07-04 Publication

Why: That is important, he said, because when the same car was examined after the killing, palm marks matching the deceased were found on the boot. CNI source report