Double-murder trial hears evidence from final witness

The last witness in the trial of a man accused of a 1997 double murder is being cross-examined by prosecutors at the Central Criminal Court this afternoon.

Double-murder trial hears evidence from final witness

The last witness in the trial of a man accused of a 1997 double murder is being cross-examined by prosecutors at the Central Criminal Court this afternoon.

Mark Nash (aged 42), who has last addresses at Prussia Street and Clonliffe Road in Dublin, has pleaded not guilty at the Central Criminal Court to the murder of Sylvia Shields (aged 60) and Mary Callanan (aged 61) between March 6 and March 7, 1997.

The trial has heard the two women were living in sheltered accommodation in a house attached to St Brendan’s Psychiatric Hospital in Grangegorman at the time.

Last Friday defence counsel Mr Hugh Hartnett SC called the second and last of his witnesses; Dr Philip Avenell, a doctor of philosophy and forensic scientist who has worked on high-profile cases on body fluids and DNA profiling.

Today counsel for the state, Mr Brendan Grehan SC, continued his cross examination from Friday afternoon of Dr Avenell.

Dr Avenell previously told the court he has been involved in several hundred criminal investigations and cold cases within the forensic world including the Stephen Lawrence murder case and the Coastal Path murders.

Mr Grehan asked Dr Avenell to specify when contamination became an issue in the case currently before the court.

Dr Avenell said it became more significant when he realised two examinations were carried out in Room 3.6 in Forensic Science Ireland (FSI).

The jury previously heard that a jacket belonging to the accused and heavily blood stained clothing and bedding found at the scene were examined in the same room at the laboratory six weeks apart.

The trial continues.

more courts articles

Man appears in court charged with false imprisonment of woman in van Man appears in court charged with false imprisonment of woman in van
Man in court over alleged false imprisonment of woman Man in court over alleged false imprisonment of woman
Coronation Street actor William Roache (91) given three months to settle tax debt Coronation Street actor William Roache (91) given three months to settle tax debt

More in this section

Government to introduce State contributory pension for carers Government to introduce State contributory pension for carers
Drug death in Cork Prison could be linked to nitazene opiate Drug death in Cork Prison could be linked to nitazene opiate
Four people hospitalised following suspected arson at West Dublin home  Four people hospitalised following suspected arson at West Dublin home 
War_map
Cookie Policy Privacy Policy Brand Safety FAQ Help Contact Us Terms and Conditions

© Examiner Echo Group Limited