Courts / Dublin / Report

Career criminal Redmond appeals murder conviction over North Face jacket evidence

Date
2024-11-14

Stage
Appeal

Primary locality
Dublin

County
Dublin

Summary

Robert Redmond, a career criminal serving life imprisonment for the murder of Barry Wolverson in Swords, Co Dublin, on January 17, 2020, appealed his conviction at the Court of Appeal. Redmond, of Kilbarrack, Dublin 5, had denied the charge. His counsel argued that a North Face jacket containing gunshot residue, central to the prosecution, should have been excluded due to improper storage by gardaí, which raised contamination risks. The appeal also challenged the forensic expert's opinion on who fired the weapon, alleging it assumed Redmond's guilt. The DPP countered that CCTV and witness evidence established an unbroken chain of custody and Redmond's presence at the scene. Redmond's co-accused, Bernard Fogarty, was also sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder. At the Special Criminal Court, Redmond received a life sentence for the murder, five years for assault causing harm on Gerard Wildman, and 12 years for possession of firearms and ammunition. He is also serving a consecutive seven-year sentence for the murder of Jordan Davis. The court reserved its judgment, meaning the matter was adjourned and not concluded.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Career criminal Redmond appeals murder conviction over North Face jacket evidence. Procedural stage: appeal

When:

January 17, 2020 Hearing Or Sentence
2024-11-14 Publication

Why: At Redmond's appeal today, Mr Kelly said that one of the exhibits in the case, a North Face jacket, may potentially have been contaminated because of the manner in which it was preserved by the gardaí. CNI source report

Case subjects

Bernard Fogarty

Appellant

Outcome: Bernard Fogarty, with an address at Cromcastle Court, Kilmore, Coolock, Dublin 5, was also sentenced to life imprisonment for murdering Mr Wolverson.

Robert Redmond

Defendant

Outcome: Redmond, of Streamville Road, Kilbarrack, Dublin 5, is serving life imprisonment for the murder of Barry Wolverson (40) at Madigan's Yard, Killeek Lane, Swords, Co Dublin, on January 17, 2020. Redmond was given a life sentence for the murder at the Special Criminal Court, five years on a charge of assault causing harm on Mr Wildman, and 12 years for the possession of firearms and ammunition.