Courts / Limerick / Report

Notorious gangster Dundon fails in bid to overturn conviction 16 years after Shane Geoghegan murder

Summary

The Court of Appeal has dismissed John Dundon's bid to overturn his 2013 conviction for the murder of Shane Geoghegan. Dundon, who is serving a life sentence, argued that a recorded phone conversation between witnesses Lisa Collins and Christopher McCarthy, which allegedly suggested a motive to secure a conviction for an offence carrying a greater penalty, such as murder, was not disclosed at trial. Counsel claimed this omission raised concerns about the fairness of the proceedings. However, Mr Justice John Edwards rejected the appeal, finding no breach of the Director of Public Prosecutions' duty of disclosure and noting that the Special Criminal Court had already approached the witnesses' testimony with caution. The court concluded that the appellant's trial was not unsatisfactory and his verdict remained safe. Separately, Barry Doyle, who admitted shooting Mr Geoghegan in a case of mistaken identity during Garda interviews, later pleaded not guilty at trial. He was found guilty by a jury at the Central Criminal Court and received a mandatory life sentence. Both the Special Criminal Court and the High Court had previously rejected Dundon's bids to have his 2013 murder trial adjourned.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Notorious gangster Dundon fails in bid to overturn conviction 16 years after Shane Geoghegan murder. Charges or matters: an offence carrying a greater penalty, such as murder; the murder of Mr Geoghegan. Procedural stage: appeal. Findings: Found guilty; Convicted

When:

• November 9, 2008 Hearing Or Sentence
• June 2013 Adjournment
• July 2, 2013 Hearing Or Sentence
• February 16, 2012 Hearing Or Sentence
• 2024-12-05 Publication

Why: Mr McGinn said the conversation suggested that Ms Collins and Mr McCarthy had a motive to ensure that Dundon was convicted of an offence carrying a greater penalty, such as murder. CNI source report

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Appeal Violent Crime

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Read the original CNI report