Courts / Ireland / Report
Juror alleged fellow jurors engaged in bullying and were 'confused about basics of trial'
Summary
During a Court of Appeal application, a juror who had participated in the conviction of a man for raping his niece alleged that fellow jurors bullied each other and did not grasp basic criminal trial principles. The juror had contacted the convicted man's lawyers to complain about the behaviour of other jurors. The Court of Appeal granted the man more time to lodge his appeal and will later hear arguments on whether these revelations could lead to the conviction being overturned. The man was convicted in January 2020 by a unanimous jury verdict of raping his 16‑year‑old niece in 1978 and was sentenced by Mr Justice Paul Coffey to four years and six months. Mr Kenneth Fogarty SC, representing the appellant, argued that the jury had begun deliberations before all evidence was heard and that the jury was confused about the basic principles of a criminal trial.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Juror alleged fellow jurors engaged in bullying and were 'confused about basics of trial'. Procedural stage: appeal. Findings: Convicted
When:
- January 2020 Incident
- 2021-01-14 Publication
Case subjects
Appellant
Finding: Convicted
Outcome: Convicted; Mr Justice Paul Coffey imposed a sentence of four years and six months at the Central Criminal Court.
Places mentioned
- Court of Appeal
- Central Criminal Court
Topics
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