Courts / Limerick / Report
Limerick man fails in appeal against conviction for "mistaken identity" murder
Summary
Jonathan Fitzgerald, 26, of Limerick, was convicted of murdering Noel Crawford, a father of six, on December 18, 2006, in a case of mistaken identity. A jury found him guilty and he received a mandatory life sentence on February 9, 2011. Fitzgerald appealed the conviction, but the Court of Appeal dismissed the appeal. The court cited the testimony of Laura Kelly, a prosecution witness who described Fitzgerald and another youth arriving at her home, wearing bullet‑proof vests, and leaving with a shotgun. Kelly heard gunshots and later returned with the youths. She stated that Fitzgerald said, "I got him, I got Paul Crawford." The appeal was rejected because the court found the trial judge had adequately addressed the defence's challenges to Kelly's evidence and had not misled the jury. The appeal was dismissed by Justice George Birmingham, with Justices Garrett Sheehan and Alan Mahon in attendance. Jonathan Fitzgerald pleaded not guilty.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Limerick man fails in appeal against conviction for "mistaken identity" murder. Charges or matters: the murder of Noel Crawford outside his parent's home in O'Malley Park, Southill, Limerick on December 18, 2006. Procedural stage: appeal
When:
- December 18, 2006 Hearing Or Sentence
- February 9, 2011 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2016-07-25 Publication
Case subjects
Appellant
Charges: the murder of Noel Crawford outside his parent's home in O'Malley Park, Southill, Limerick on December 18, 2006 (Alleged Or Contested)
Plea: Not guilty
Outcome: A jury found Fitzgerald guilty of Mr Crawford's murder and he was given the mandatory life sentence by Mr Justice Barry White on February 9, 2011.
Places mentioned
- South Claughan Road
- Limerick
- Appeal's view
- O'Malley Park
- The Central Criminal Court
- Court of Appeal
Topics
Related court reports
- Manager at global IT firm denies company 'lied' about position of former Irish employee
- High Court refuses to surrender Limerick man wanted for alleged human trafficking in Greece
- Tipperary man admits attempted murder
- Volunteer who said he was sacked for warning Church officials of 'rogue' relic traders can't pursue case, WRC rules
- Appearance of tips machine in cafe that pulled in €5k unexplained, tribunal notes
- 'You've to get the morning after pill': man who was 18 when he raped girl (15) gets seven years
If a fact, identity, locality or legal outcome needs review, email the newsroom with this report's details prefilled.
Email a correction request