Courts / Louth / Report
Double murderer's conviction appeal must be reheard after judge forgets he heard original trial
Summary
Jason O'Driscoll, aged 42, appealed a life‑sentence for the 2012 murders of Anthony Burnett (31) and Joseph Redmond (25). His appeal was heard in the Court of Appeal for two hours on 3 June 2025. During the hearing, defence counsel revealed that Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy, who had presided over O'Driscoll's original 2017 trial, was also on the appeal panel. McCarthy admitted he had forgotten his role in the earlier case. The court decided to adjourn the appeal so the panel could be reconstituted without McCarthy. The appeal will be reheard on 13 November 2025. The original trial in 2017 ended with a hung jury; a retrial in 2018 resulted in a ten‑to‑two majority verdict and a life sentence imposed by Mr Justice Michael White. The appeal remains pending. Jason O'Driscoll pleaded not guilty and was convicted.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Double murderer's conviction appeal must be reheard after judge forgets he heard original trial. Charges or matters: murdering 31-year-old Anthony Burnett and 25-year-old Joseph Redmond, in Co Louth on March 7th, 2012; the double murder by the ten to two majority verdict of a retrial jury. Procedural stage: appeal. Findings: Convicted
When:
- December 2017 Hearing Or Sentence
- March 7th, 2012 Other
- October 2018 Other
- November 13, 2025 Adjournment
- 2025-06-03 Publication
Case subjects
Appellant
Charges: murdering 31-year-old Anthony Burnett and 25-year-old Joseph Redmond, in Co Louth on March 7th, 2012; the double murder by the ten to two majority verdict of a retrial jury (Proven)
Plea: Not guilty
Finding: Convicted
Outcome: Convicted; However O'Driscoll was sentenced to life imprisonment in October 2018 by Mr Justice Michael White after he was convicted of the double murder by the ten to two majority verdict of a retrial jury.; He said that the case would be adjourned in order for the three-judge court to reconstitute and the appeal be reheard without Mr Justice McCarthy.
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