Courts / Limerick / Report

Evidence that 'fell between cracks' could call Dundon murder trial witness into question, appeal told

Date
2024-04-22

Stage
Appeal

Primary locality
Limerick

Summary

The Court of Appeal has reserved judgment on an application by John Dundon to adduce fresh evidence in his appeal against his conviction for the murder of Shane Geoghegan. Dundon, 41, formerly of Hyde Road in Limerick, was convicted at the Special Criminal Court in 2013 of ordering the hit that resulted in Geoghegan's death in 2008. He is serving a mandatory life sentence. Counsel Dominic McGinn SC argued that a recorded phone conversation between witnesses Lisa Collins and Christopher McCarthy, which discussed ensuring Dundon received a sentence for an offence carrying a greater penalty such as murder, was omitted from the trial record. McGinn contended this evidence raised concerns about the witnesses' credibility and the fairness of the trial. The Director of Public Prosecutions, represented by Sean Guerin SC, countered that Dundon was not entitled to rely on a disadvantage caused by his decision to sack his lawyers on the first day of the trial. Guerin noted that Ms Collins had previously been threatened by Dundon, resulting in him receiving a prison sentence, and that the phone call actually supported the prosecution case by demonstrating the witnesses' fear. The court, comprising Mr Justice John Edwards, Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy, and Ms Justice Isobel Kennedy, reserved judgment on the application. Separately, Barry Doyle, 38, last of Portland Row in Dublin 1, was found guilty of murdering Mr Geoghegan by a jury at the Central Criminal Court and was given the mandatory life sentence by Mr Justice Garrett Sheehan on February 16, 2012.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Evidence that 'fell between cracks' could call Dundon murder trial witness into question, appeal told. Charges or matters: murdering Mr Geoghegan by a jury at the Central Criminal Court and was given the mandatory life sentence by Mr Justice Garrett Sheehan on February 16, 2012; an offence carrying a greater penalty, such as murder. Procedural stage: appeal. Findings: Found guilty; Convicted

When:

November 9, 2008 Hearing Or Sentence
February 16, 2012 Hearing Or Sentence
2024-04-22 Publication

Why: Mr McGinn said the conversation suggested that Ms Collins and Mr McCarthy had a motive to ensure that Dundon was convicted of an offence carrying a greater penalty, such as murder. CNI source report

Case subjects

Barry Doyle

Defendant

Charges: murdering Mr Geoghegan by a jury at the Central Criminal Court and was given the mandatory life sentence by Mr Justice Garrett Sheehan on February 16, 2012 (Proven)

Finding: Found guilty

Outcome: Found guilty; Doyle (38), last of Portland Row in Dublin 1, was found guilty of murdering Mr Geoghegan by a jury at the Central Criminal Court and was given the mandatory life sentence by Mr Justice Garrett Sheehan on February 16, 2012.

John Dundon

Appellant

Charges: an offence carrying a greater penalty, such as murder; murdering Mr Geoghegan by a jury at the Central Criminal Court and was given the mandatory life sentence by Mr Justice Garrett Sheehan on February 16, 2012 (Proven)

Finding: Convicted

Outcome: Convicted; Ms Collins had already been threatened by Dundon, resulting in him receiving a prison sentence.