Courts / Kildare / Report
Double killer dismisses legal team ahead of appeal for 'gruesome' murder
Summary
Stephen Penrose, a 42‑year‑old serving a life sentence for the murder of Philip Finnegan, dismissed his legal team before his scheduled appeal hearing. Penrose had represented himself in the 2021 trial after earlier dropping two legal teams. The jury found him guilty of murdering Finnegan, 24, at Rahin Woods on 10 August 2016, after CCTV and forensic evidence linked him to the crime. Penrose had previously been found not guilty of murder in a 2010 trial for a different killing. Ahead of the appeal, Penrose notified the court of his decision to dismiss his solicitors and counsel, a move confirmed in a video consultation. The Court of Appeal, noting the lack of communication from the former team, adjourned the hearing to 24 October to verify the dismissal and allow a new solicitor to appear. The case remains pending.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Double killer dismisses legal team ahead of appeal for 'gruesome' murder. Procedural stage: appeal. Findings: Found guilty
When:
- November 2021 Hearing Or Sentence
- August 10, 2016 Incident
- August 1, 2025 Adjournment
- October 24 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2025-10-10 Publication
Why: However, he explained that on Tuesday morning, during a review hearing, Penrose had notified the court that he had dismissed his solicitors and counsel at the beginning of August. CNI source report
Case subjects
Convicted Person
Plea: Not guilty
Finding: Found guilty
Outcome: Found guilty; He was sentenced to nine years in prison for that offence.; However, he explained that on Tuesday morning, during a review hearing, Penrose had notified the court that he had dismissed his solicitors and counsel at the beginning of August. "That was news to us and to Mr Mulholland, my instructing solicitor, but that position has been confirmed to us by Mr Penrose in a video consultation that my junior, Mr John Kelly BL and my solicitor had with him yesterd
Places mentioned
- Court of Appeal
- Central Criminal Court
Topics
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