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Alan Wilson fails in appeal over meat cleaver attack conviction
Summary
Two Dublin men, David Crowley (38) and Alan Wilson (36), were convicted of trespassing and assault causing harm after breaking into a home in Blanchardstown on 3 June 2009 and attacking the victim with a meat cleaver. Crowley was also charged with unlawful possession of a firearm. A jury found them guilty at the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, and Judge Desmond Hogan sentenced Crowley to eight years' imprisonment and Wilson to seven years' imprisonment on 12 April 2013. Both men appealed their convictions. The Court of Appeal, led by Mr Justice George Birmingham, dismissed the appeals. Birmingham rejected arguments that a jury member's request for a lighter and the admission of evidence that Wilson was wearing a bulletproof vest were improper, and upheld the trial judge's handling of witness statements and the evidence that the cleaver was brought to the house. Wilson's sentence appeal will be considered separately. David Crowley pleaded not guilty. Alan Wilson pleaded not guilty.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Alan Wilson fails in appeal over meat cleaver attack conviction. Charges or matters: trespass while committing assault causing harm at Dromheath Drive in Blanchardstown on June 3, 2009. Procedural stage: appeal
When:
- June 3, 2009 Incident
- April 12 2013 Incident
- 2015-11-05 Publication
Why: The Court of Appeal heard that Wilson was arrested wearing a bulletproof vest and his barrister, Padraig Dwyer SC, submitted that this evidence should not have been admitted because it played no role in the factual matrix of events. CNI source report
Case subjects
Convicted Person
Charges: trespass while committing assault causing harm at Dromheath Drive in Blanchardstown on June 3, 2009 (Alleged Or Contested)
Plea: Not guilty
Outcome: Having been found guilty by a jury at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, Crowley was sentenced to eight years imprisonment and Wilson seven years imprisonment by Judge Desmond Hogan on April 12 2013. Wilson will appeal his sentence at a later date.
Convicted Person
Charges: trespass while committing assault causing harm at Dromheath Drive in Blanchardstown on June 3, 2009 (Alleged Or Contested)
Plea: Not guilty
Outcome: Having been found guilty by a jury at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, Crowley was sentenced to eight years imprisonment and Wilson seven years imprisonment by Judge Desmond Hogan on April 12 2013.
Places mentioned
- New Bride Street
- New Street Gardens
- Dromheath Drive
- Blanchardstown
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
- Court of Appeal
Topics
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