Courts / Dublin / Report
Notorious serial killer Mark Nash seeks damages over trial delay
Summary
A five-judge Supreme Court heard an application by convicted serial killer Mark Nash seeking damages over delays in his prosecution for murders in Dublin. Nash is serving a life sentence following his conviction for the 1997 killings of two women at sheltered housing in Grangegorman, a conviction now under appeal. He had previously been convicted of murders in Ballintober, County Roscommon in 1997. Nash's legal team argued he was treated as a suspect for twelve years before being charged in 2009, ten years after the Director of Public Prosecutions directed that charges be brought. Counsel contended the delay breached Nash's constitutional and human rights to a trial conducted with due expedition. The application also raised concerns regarding forensic evidence handling at the laboratory. The Director of Public Prosecutions opposed the application, arguing the decision to charge Nash was appropriately timed. The Chief Justice indicated the court would reserve its decision on the matter.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Notorious serial killer Mark Nash seeks damages over trial delay. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- August 1997 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2016-07-01 Publication
Why: He sought the prohibition of his trial on grounds including the delay in bringing the charges, publicity surrounding the case, and because of the unavailability of a witnesses including Dean Lyons, who died in 2000. CNI source report
Case subjects
Background Person
Outcome: Nash is currently serving a life sentence after being found guilty of the murders of Sylvia Sheils (59) and Mary Callanan (61) at their sheltered housing in Grangegorman in Dublin in 1997.
Applicant
Places mentioned
- Supreme Court
- High Court
Topics
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