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'Cool as ice': murder accused used dead man's cash to pay for suitcase he stored body in, prosecution tell jury

Date
2024-12-03

Stage
Trial

Primary locality
Ballymun

County
Dublin

Summary

In a Central Criminal Court hearing, prosecution counsel Cathleen Noctor SC described Dean Caffrey, 38, as "cool as a cucumber" after CCTV footage showed him buying a suitcase with cash taken from the dead man, Sean McCarthy, 28. Noctor alleged that Caffrey lied about the circumstances of the fatal shooting in his apartment, claiming the deceased had brought a firearm and threatened him. She said Caffrey denied murdering McCarthy, who was known to gardaí as a drug dealer. Noctor highlighted inconsistencies in Caffrey's statements to gardaí, noting he initially claimed both men had the gun during the struggle, then later said he fired after McCarthy lunged. She also presented evidence that Caffrey purchased a clean‑up kit, disposed of the firearm and the deceased's phone, and deleted messages. Noctor urged the jury to consider that Caffrey shot McCarthy in the head with intent to kill, and that he should be convicted of murder.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: 'Cool as ice': murder accused used dead man's cash to pay for suitcase he stored body in, prosecution tell jury. Procedural stage: trial

When:

2024-12-03 Publication

Why: Ms Noctor said the "only reason" he did so was "because he knew the game was up" after members of Mr McCarthy's family had started to suspect him. CNI source report