Courts / Cork / Report

Uncertain whether statement of 'pivotal' murder trial witness was true account, appeal told

Summary

A 27‑year‑old man, Tyler 'Tiggy' Jackson, who was convicted of murdering 24‑year‑old Conor Quinn in Mallow, County Cork, has appealed his life sentence. His counsel, Dean Kelly SC, argues that the trial judge erred by admitting a statement given by 16‑year‑old Christina Kearney three days after the death. The statement, taken by Detective Garda Sean Buckley, was allegedly altered—words such as "running" were crossed out and replaced with "walking"—without Kearney's initial. Kelly contends the court could not have been satisfied that the statement was a true account of what Kearney said on the day it was taken. He also claims the trial judge failed to discharge the jury when a civilian witness, Stephen Quinn, suggested Jackson had assaulted him, thereby creating an unfair trial. The Court of Appeal will decide the appeal at a later date.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Uncertain whether statement of 'pivotal' murder trial witness was true account, appeal told. Charges or matters: murdering Galway man Mr Quinn at Bridge Street, Mallow, County Cork, on July 12, 2018; a murder which he denied and no one knows where these words came from," said counsel. "There is no video recording of the taking of this statement, no recording of the reading back to the person of this statement, no note taking of any kind." Counsel said Det Gda Buckley was asked where in the house the statement was taken and "could not recall" where this had been done. Procedural stage: appeal. Findings: Found guilty; Convicted

When:

• October 17, 2023 Hearing Or Sentence
• July 12, 2018 Hearing Or Sentence
• February 2022 Incident
• October 2023 Other
• 2024-10-15 Publication

Why: The jury were never told to disregard it because it was such a minor issue. CNI source report

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Appeal Violent Crime

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Read the original CNI report