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Court to rule on whether to direct acquittal in Garda murder witness conspiracy trial
Summary
The Special Criminal Court will decide next week whether to direct the acquittal of Dean Byrne, a 30‑year‑old from Cabra Park, Phibsborough, Dublin, who is accused of conspiring with Aaron Brady to persuade witness Daniel Cahill not to give evidence at Brady's murder trial. Byrne's lawyers argue that he genuinely believed Cahill would perjure himself and that his motive was to prevent an injustice, requesting the court to direct an acquittal. The Director of Public Prosecutions, represented by Lorcan Staines SC, counters that any attempt to persuade a witness not to give evidence is an attempt to pervert the course of justice, and that such concerns can be addressed by providing information to the Gardaí or the DPP. The case, which has been heard for two days, will be judged by the three‑judge panel on Tuesday.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Court to rule on whether to direct acquittal in Garda murder witness conspiracy trial. Procedural stage: finding. Findings: Convicted
When:
- April 8, 2020 Adjournment
- June 22, 2020 Adjournment
- August 2020 Hearing Or Sentence
- January 25, 2013 Other
- 2024-05-02 Publication
Why: Padraig Dwyer SC, for Mr Byrne, said that his client had a benign motive in attempting to persuade Mr Cahill not to give what he believed would be false evidence and said any citizen in Mr Byrne's position would have a moral obligation to prevent an injustice being done. CNI source report
Case subjects
Background Person
Finding: Convicted
Outcome: Convicted; Mr Justice Paul Burns, presiding, adjourned the case until next Tuesday when the judges will reveal their judgment.
Places mentioned
- The Special Criminal Court
- Cabra Park
- Dublin
- New Road
- Crossmaglen
- Armagh
- Mountjoy
- Mountjoy Prison
Topics
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