Courts / Cork / Report
Murderer who claims he accidentally shot man he blamed for brother's suicide appeals conviction
Summary
Michael Collins, aged 34, has lodged an appeal against his conviction for the murder of Packie Hogan, aged 42, which occurred on 10 February 2011. Collins, who lives in Upper Kilmona, Grenagh, Co Cork, had pleaded not guilty to the murder, to possession of a rifle and to possession of ammunition with intent to endanger life. A Central Criminal Court jury found him guilty on all counts and he was sentenced to mandatory life imprisonment by Mr Justice Paul Carney on 29 November 2012. Collins now argues that the trial judge's directions to the jury on manslaughter were defective. He maintains that the shooting was accidental, that the firearm was defective and that he had no intention to kill, only to scare the deceased. The appeal is pending, with the court reserving judgment. The article does not report any further developments.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Murderer who claims he accidentally shot man he blamed for brother's suicide appeals conviction. Charges or matters: the murder of Packie Hogan (42) at Glen Road, Ballinaraha, Blarney, Co Cork on February 10, 2011. Procedural stage: appeal
When:
- February 10, 2011 Incident
- November 29, 2012 Incident
- 2016-04-14 Publication
Why: It was always a "guilty/not guilty of murder" case, Mr O'Leary said, and the evidence was overwhelming once the jury accepted that it wasn't an accident because of the "calm reload". CNI source report
Case subjects
Appellant
Charges: the murder of Packie Hogan (42) at Glen Road, Ballinaraha, Blarney, Co Cork on February 10, 2011 (Alleged Or Contested)
Plea: Not guilty
Outcome: A Central Criminal Court jury sitting in Cork found Collins guilty on all counts and he was given the mandatory life sentence by Mr Justice Paul Carney on November 29, 2012.
Places mentioned
- Glen Road
- Central Criminal Court
Topics
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