David Fortune pleads not guilty to murder at trial

This report is a localnews.ie summary based on public court reporting and records; sources are listed below.

David Fortune has gone on trial at the Central Criminal Court charged with murdering his father, Gerard Fortune, at Rutland Grove in Crumlin, Dublin. He has pleaded not guilty.

Gerard Fortune was stabbed in the neck on 19 August 2018, after watching the All-Ireland final at home. He was taken to hospital but died a short time later from haemorrhage and shock due to the wound.

Seán Gillane SC opened the prosecution case on 17 November 2020. He said Gerard Fortune had attempted to calm his son. The report said Laura Lambe saw the accused swing at her father with a knife; Gerard Fortune fell and an injury was evident to his neck.

Mr Gillane said David Fortune had attended a day of drinking and drug taking before the stabbing. He told the jury intoxication could be relevant where the prosecution had to prove a specific intent and could reduce criminal liability.

David Fortune has also pleaded guilty to unlawfully seizing a vehicle on Rutland Grove by using physical force to drag its driver, Geraldine Brady, from the driver’s seat. Mr Gillane said the accused drove the car to Blanchardstown Hospital and said there that his father had tried to kill him.

The proceedings were reported on 17 November 2020. The trial was due to continue before Ms Justice Eileen Creedon and a jury.

This case may have concluded differently. The outcome has not yet been confirmed by a public source we could find.