Court to hear murder appeal next week
The Court of Criminal Appeal, Mrs Justice Susan Denham presiding, was told today that an appeal by Carlos Byrne (aged 24) against his conviction for murder was “ready to go on” and would be heard before the three-judge court on Thursday of next week.
Lawyers for Byrne, with an address at Linnetsfield Square, Clonee in Co Meath, said the hearing of their client’s bid to overturn his conviction for the murder of Mark Smyth in west Dublin two years ago, would take “about two hours”.
Byrne was jailed for life after he was convicted of murdering Mr Smyth in a violent attack at the Fortlawn Estate in Blanchardstown on March 18, 2008.
The victim suffered over 70 injuries including 43 stab wounds and bled to death at the scene.
The attack took place in front of Mr Smyth’s partner and his young son. Byrne, a drug addict, told gardaí he owed Mr Smyth money for cocaine and the deceased had been demanding the money on the day Byrne killed him.
