Courts / Wexford / Report

Appeal court dismisses murderer's claim that jury verdict was "perverse"

Summary

Kenneth Collopy, aged 25, was convicted of murdering 25‑year‑old Daniel Fitzgerald in 2009 and sentenced to life imprisonment. Collopy pleaded not guilty, claiming he had mistakenly fired at a caravan in revenge for an arson attack on his mother's van, and that he intended only to shoot at the mobile home, unaware of any victim. He admitted killing Fitzgerald but maintained he had no intent to kill. The jury found him guilty of murder and the judge imposed a mandatory life sentence. Collopy appealed, arguing the jury's verdict was perverse, citing the inclusion of a video statement from a witness, David Bussoli, and questioning whether Bussoli and Christopher Mulqueen were accomplices. The Court of Appeal dismissed the appeal on all grounds, affirming the trial judge's decisions, the use of the video statement, and the jury's verdict. Collopy was taken away to continue serving his life sentence.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Appeal court dismisses murderer's claim that jury verdict was "perverse". Charges or matters: the murder of 25-year-old Daniel Fitzgerald, who was shot in the head and leg as he left his uncle's mobile home in Ballysimon on December 8, 2009. Procedural stage: appeal

When:

• December 8, 2009 Incident
• March 29, 2011 Hearing Or Sentence
• 2016-05-05 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Appeal Violent Crime

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Read the original CNI report