Courts / Dublin / Report

Jury hears manslaughter accused asked shopkeeper: "Delete that camera for us, will you?"

Date
2015-12-02

Stage
Trial

Primary locality
Dublin

County
Dublin

Summary

In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court manslaughter trial, Paul Brannigan, aged 24, pleaded not guilty to the death of Jason Saunders, who died on 18 March 2014 after a confrontation at Fassaugh Avenue. Brannigan was accused of striking Saunders with a golf club, causing a fatal blow to the chest, and of assaulting him. Witnesses, including a shopkeeper and Spar store manager Kevin Coffey, described a scuffle where Brannigan head‑butted Saunders before repeatedly swinging a golf club. Brannigan allegedly asked the shopkeeper to "delete that camera for us?" after Saunders was described as "in a bad way." CCTV footage from the shop, pub, Garda station and a bus was shown to the jury. Nurses Melissa Lanigan and Lorna Nangle testified that Saunders received CPR but never regained consciousness, and an ambulance crew later took over resuscitation. The case continues before Judge Patrick McCartan and a twelve‑person jury.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Jury hears manslaughter accused asked shopkeeper: "Delete that camera for us, will you?". Charges or matters: the manslaughter of Jason Saunders at Fassaugh Avenue, Cabra West on March 18, 2014; assaulting Mr Saunders causing him harm and to producing a golf club in the course of a dispute at the same date and location. Procedural stage: trial

When:

March 18, 2014 Incident
2015-12-02 Publication

Case subjects

Paul Brannigan

Defendant

Charges: the manslaughter of Jason Saunders at Fassaugh Avenue, Cabra West on March 18, 2014; assaulting Mr Saunders causing him harm and to producing a golf club in the course of a dispute at the same date and location (Alleged Or Contested)

Plea: Not guilty