Courts / Cork / Report

Murderer who claims he accidentally shot man has appeal dismissed

Date
2016-07-28

Stage
Appeal

Primary locality
Cork

County
Cork

Summary

Michael Collins, aged 34, was convicted of murdering Packie Hogan, aged 42, on 10 February 2011. Collins pleaded not guilty and denied owning a rifle or ammunition. A Central Criminal Court jury found him guilty on all counts and he received a mandatory life sentence on 29 November 2012. Collins appealed, arguing the shooting was accidental and that he intended only to frighten Hogan. His defence cited a defective firearm with a hair trigger and no safety mechanism, and claimed he had no intent to kill. The Court of Appeal, led by Mr Justice Garrett Sheehan, dismissed the appeal, stating that any trial unfairness had been rectified and that the defence did not raise manslaughter. The appeal was rejected, leaving Collins' conviction and life sentence intact. The court noted no unusual circumstances required a different jury instruction. The case remains at the conviction stage.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Murderer who claims he accidentally shot man has appeal dismissed. 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
2016-07-28 Publication

Case subjects

Michael Collins

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.