Courts / Dublin / Report
Accused tells trial he'd rather be 'branded a rat' than convicted of murder he 'didn't do'
Summary
In a Central Criminal Court hearing, 28‑year‑old Cailean Crawford pleaded not guilty to the murder of Thomas McCarthy, claiming he was wrongly blamed for the killing because he had loaned a van to associate Charles McClean on the day of the murder. Crawford said he had lent the van to McClean, who allegedly needed it to collect drugs, and that he had also given McClean a Lyca SIM card used for drug‑related calls. He denied being a "rat" or misleading the jury, stating he would rather be branded as such than be convicted of a murder he did not commit. Prosecutor Bernard Condon questioned Crawford about his fear of McClean, the van's whereabouts, and phone calls made from the SIM. The trial focuses on the hours between 9 am and 12 pm on 27 July 2020, when the van and phone were involved in the incident. The case continues before Mr Justice Hunt and a jury.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Accused tells trial he'd rather be 'branded a rat' than convicted of murder he 'didn't do'. Charges or matters: the murder of Thomas McCarthy on July 27, 2020, at Croftwood Park, Ballyfermot, Dublin 10. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- July 27, 2020 Hearing Or Sentence
- July 22 Other
- October 16, 2020 Incident
- July 27 Other
- 2024-11-27 Publication
Why: The accused yesterday denied a suggestion by prosecuting counsel that he was trying to "mislead" the jury because he was in "cahoots" with Charles McClean – the man he said he agreed to loan the van to on the day Mr McCarthy was killed. CNI source report
Case subjects
Convicted Person
Charges: the murder of Thomas McCarthy on July 27, 2020, at Croftwood Park, Ballyfermot, Dublin 10 (Alleged Or Contested)
Plea: Not guilty
Outcome: Under cross-examination, Bernard Condon SC put it to the accused that a suggestion he was "in fear" of Mr McClean was untrue because Mr McClean has already been sentenced for matters related to the case and "cannot be prosecuted further in relation to this offence". "I'm still at risk by giving this evidence," Mr Crawford replied.
Places mentioned
- Central Criminal Court
- Croftwood Park
- the accused at Clondalkin Garda Station
Topics
Drugs Stage Sentence Violent Crime
Related court reports
- Man charged with having 56k child abuse images and videos remanded on bail
- Ex-Dáil hopeful's allegations against former employer 'complete fantasy', WRC told
- Mater must pay €10k to worker who said he was wrongly accused of abusing patient
- 'I think we know I won't be getting bail' - Daniel Kinahan charged with directing criminal organisation
- Letting agent who claimed alleged domestic violence victim abandoned tenancy by fleeing to refuge must pay €14.7k
- 77-year-old with 470 convictions told Luas staff to 'f**k off'
If a fact, identity, locality or legal outcome needs review, email the newsroom with this report's details prefilled.
Email a correction request