Vesel Jahiri excluded from murder trial as jury hears knife evidence

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

Vesel Jahiri was excluded from his murder trial at the Central Criminal Court after the judge said he had to be willing to abide by procedure. The proceedings were reported on 31 March 2017.

Jahiri has pleaded not guilty to murdering Anna Finnegan and assaulting Karl Finnegan, causing him harm. Both charges relate to Allendale Glen, Clonsilla, Dublin 15, on 21 September 2012.

Jahiri had dismissed his legal team and was representing himself. On 30 March, Mr Justice Paul Coffey said Jahiri was “abusing” his position during cross-examination and was “throwing out allegations like confetti”. The following morning, the judge said he was excluding Jahiri “very reluctantly”, adding that the right to be present at trial was not absolute.

Detective Garda James Cunningham told the jury on 31 March that a fingermark on the blade of a black-handled knife was made by Jahiri’s left forefinger. He agreed that, because Jahiri had lived at Allendale Glen, his fingerprints would be expected on objects in the house. Cunningham said there was also ridge detail on the other side of the blade that he could not attribute to anyone.

Forensic scientist Dr Hilary Clarke had previously testified that DNA from bloodstaining on the knife matched Anna Finnegan’s profile. The court had heard that Jahiri brought the knife to Cabra Garda station on the night after the alleged attack and placed it on a table.

The trial continued before Mr Justice Coffey and a jury.