Courts / Dublin / Report
Murder conviction for role in 'execution' of Daithí' Douglas upheld
Summary
The Court of Appeal has upheld the murder conviction of Lee Canavan, who was jailed for life by the Special Criminal Court in June 2021 for his role in the 2016 killing of David 'Daithí' Douglas. Canavan, who pleaded not guilty, was found to have participated in a joint enterprise to murder Mr Douglas at Shoestown, Bridgefoot Street, Dublin 1, on July 1, 2016. The appellate court dismissed his argument that the prosecution wrongly relied on him being the triggerman, ruling that the case was properly based on common design. Canavan was also concurrently sentenced to five years for criminal damage to a getaway vehicle. This appeal follows earlier convictions in the case: Frederick 'Fat Freddie' Thompson was sentenced to life in 2018; Nathan Foley pleaded guilty to assisting a criminal organisation and received six years in 2019; and Gareth Brophy was jailed for ten years in 2020 for acting as a getaway driver. The court affirmed that Canavan's involvement in the meticulously planned execution was established by evidence of his movements with four vehicles and his participation in the attempted arson of a stolen Suzuki Swift.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Murder conviction for role in 'execution' of Daithí' Douglas upheld. Charges or matters: assisting a criminal organisation by driving one of four cars and buying mobile phones used in the offence; murdering Mr Douglas, who died after sustaining injuries to his chest, neck, back, torso, elbow and jaw at Shoestown, Bridgefoot Street, Dublin 1, on July 1, 2016. Procedural stage: appeal
When:
- July 1, 2016 Hearing Or Sentence
- June 2021 Hearing Or Sentence
- February 2020 Incident
- July 4 Hearing Or Sentence
- May 2021 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2025-12-19 Publication
Why: Ms Justice Burns also dismissed further grounds of appeal relating to CCTV identification evidence and the refusal of the court to direct a verdict of not guilty because, without an acceptance that Canavan was the shooter, the circumstantial evidence adduced could not establish a common design to murder the deceased. CNI source report
Case subjects
Convicted Person
Charges: assisting a criminal organisation by driving one of four cars and buying mobile phones used in the offence; murdering Mr Douglas, who died after sustaining injuries to his chest, neck, back, torso, elbow and jaw at Shoestown, Bridgefoot Street, Dublin 1, on July 1, 2016 (Alleged Or Contested)
Outcome: Fat Freddie' Thompson (45) was also sentenced to life imprisonment by the Special Criminal Court for the murder of Mr Douglas. In 2019, Nathan Foley (26) of Maryland, Dublin 8, was jailed for six years after he pleaded guilty to assisting a criminal organisation by driving one of four cars and buying mobile phones used in the offence.
Convicted Person
Charges: murdering Mr Douglas, who died after sustaining injuries to his chest, neck, back, torso, elbow and jaw at Shoestown, Bridgefoot Street, Dublin 1, on July 1, 2016 (Alleged Or Contested)
Outcome: Gareth Brophy (30) was jailed in February 2020 for ten years also by the Special Criminal Court for his role as getaway driver.
Appellant
Charges: assisting a criminal organisation by driving one of four cars and buying mobile phones used in the offence; murdering Mr Douglas, who died after sustaining injuries to his chest, neck, back, torso, elbow and jaw at Shoestown, Bridgefoot Street, Dublin 1, on July 1, 2016 (Alleged Or Contested)
Plea: Not guilty
Outcome: Lee Canavan (36) was jailed for life by the three-judge, non-jury court in June 2021. Canavan was the fourth man to be jailed in relation to the murder, and his conviction was described by gardaí as "significant".
Convicted Person
Charges: assisting a criminal organisation by driving one of four cars and buying mobile phones used in the offence; murdering Mr Douglas, who died after sustaining injuries to his chest, neck, back, torso, elbow and jaw at Shoestown, Bridgefoot Street, Dublin 1, on July 1, 2016 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Nathan Foley (26) of Maryland, Dublin 8, was jailed for six years after he pleaded guilty to assisting a criminal organisation by driving one of four cars and buying mobile phones used in the offence. Canavan's half-brother Gareth Brophy (30) was jailed in February 2020 for ten years also by the Special Criminal Court for his role as getaway driver.
Places mentioned
- Court of Appeal
- Special Criminal Court
- Bridgefoot Street
Topics
Stage Appeal Theft Violent Crime
Related court reports
- Man charged with having 56k child abuse images and videos remanded on bail
- Ex-Dáil hopeful's allegations against former employer 'complete fantasy', WRC told
- Mater must pay €10k to worker who said he was wrongly accused of abusing patient
- 'I think we know I won't be getting bail' - Daniel Kinahan charged with directing criminal organisation
- Letting agent who claimed alleged domestic violence victim abandoned tenancy by fleeing to refuge must pay €14.7k
- 77-year-old with 470 convictions told Luas staff to 'f**k off'
If a fact, identity, locality or legal outcome needs review, email the newsroom with this report's details prefilled.
Email a correction request