Courts / Dublin / Report

Murderer who strangled Amanda Carroll to remain behind bars

Date
2023-07-25

Stage
Appeal

Primary locality
Dublin

County
Dublin

Summary

Sean Nolan, 38, has been ordered to remain in prison after the Court of Appeal dismissed his bid to overturn his conviction for the murder of Amanda Carroll. In October 2020, a jury convicted Nolan of murder, a charge to which he had pleaded not guilty, though he admitted to manslaughter. He was sentenced to a mandatory term of life imprisonment by Mr Justice Michael MacGrath. The appeal, heard by Mr Justice George Birmingham, challenged the admissibility of roadside notes taken by gardaí and the trial judge's guidance to the jury regarding intoxication and the definition of serious injury. Mr Justice Birmingham ruled that the trial judge had exercised discretion correctly in admitting the roadside remarks, noting they were consistent with Nolan's formal interviews. He further held that the judge's instructions on intent and serious injury adhered to long-established legal practice. The Court of Appeal concluded that the trial was not unfair and the verdict was safe, thereby upholding the original conviction and sentence.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Murderer who strangled Amanda Carroll to remain behind bars. Charges or matters: murder but guilty to her manslaughter. Procedural stage: appeal. Findings: Convicted

When:

October 2020 Hearing Or Sentence
October 21, 2018 Hearing Or Sentence
2023-07-25 Publication

Why: At the Court of Appeal, Michael O'Higgins SC, for Nolan, submitted that roadside notes taken by gardaí when they came across the appellant the day after the murder should not have been allowed into evidence because no notes of the conversation were taken at the scene, only afterwards at the station. CNI source report