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Jury takes just over three hours to find man guilty of murdering Lisa Thompson
Summary
Brian McHugh, 40, of Ballymun, Dublin 11, was found guilty by a jury at the Central Criminal Court of murdering Lisa Thompson, 52, at Sandyhill Gardens on May 9, 2022. McHugh had pleaded not guilty to the charge. The jury, which deliberated for three hours and 24 minutes, unanimously rejected the defence argument that the killing involved "overkill" and that Thompson was a "woman of secrets." The prosecution presented circumstantial evidence, including CCTV footage placing McHugh near the victim's home, DNA on a blind cord used to strangle her, and jewellery found at his address matching items linked to Thompson. The court also heard evidence regarding text messages sent by a named woman to McHugh referencing the method of killing. Ms Justice Karen O'Connor thanked the jury and excused them from service for five years. She offered condolences to the Thompson family. The matter was adjourned; Ms Justice O'Connor will hand down the mandatory sentence of life imprisonment to McHugh on March 10. McHugh has been remanded in custody until that date, when the family will have the opportunity to make a statement. A prior pre-trial ruling excluding recognition evidence was overturned by the Court of Appeal, allowing that evidence to be considered at trial.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Jury takes just over three hours to find man guilty of murdering Lisa Thompson. Charges or matters: murdering Ms Thompson (52) at Sandyhill Gardens, Ballymun in Dublin 11 on May 9, 2022. Procedural stage: appeal
When:
- May 9, 2022 Hearing Or Sentence
- March 10 Adjournment
- June 2022 Other
- May 12 Other
- May 13 2022 Hearing Or Sentence
- December 2, 2006 Other
- May 17 2022 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2025-02-27 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: murdering Ms Thompson (52) at Sandyhill Gardens, Ballymun in Dublin 11 on May 9, 2022 (Alleged Or Contested)
Plea: Not guilty
Outcome: Ms Justice O'Connor will hand down the mandatory sentence of life imprisonment to McHugh on March 10 and remanded the defendant in custody until that date.; Ms Justice O'Connor will hand down the mandatory sentence of life imprisonment to McHugh on March 10 and remanded the defendant in custody until that date.
Defendant
Charges: murdering Ms Thompson (52) at Sandyhill Gardens, Ballymun in Dublin 11 on May 9, 2022 (Alleged Or Contested)
Plea: Not guilty
Outcome: Ms Justice O'Connor will hand down the mandatory sentence of life imprisonment to McHugh on March 10 and remanded the defendant in custody until that date.
Places mentioned
- Central Criminal Court
- Court of Appeal
- Ms Thompson's house
- The Happy Ring House
- O'Connell Street
Topics
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