Pair for trial over Hutch-Kinahan death

TWO men accused of murder of David ‘Daithí’ Douglas last year have been sent for trial at the non-jury Special Criminal Court.

They are to face trial in the three-judge court as the DPP has decided ‘the ordinary courts are inadequate for effective administration of justice’ in this case.

Mr Douglas, 55, from Cabra, north Dublin, was fatally wounded in a shooting outside his wife’s shop in Bridgefoot Street, Dublin, on July 1 last year. He was the ninth person to die in the Hutch-Kinahan feud.

Nathan Foley, 18, from Rosary Road, Dublin 8, and Frederick Thompson, 36, of Maryland, Dublin, are to stand trial for the murder. They faced separate court hearings yesterday.

Mr Foley was brought before Judge Michael Walsh at Dublin District Court.

The teenager, who was remanded in custody, is charged with the murder of Mr Douglas and criminal damage to a car at Strand Road, Dublin 4, three days later.

Detective Sergeant Paul Murphy of Kilmainham Garda station told the court Mr Foley ‘made no reply after caution’ when he was charged at 10.31am yesterday with the murder. Garda Darren Reid told the court Mr Foley had no reply when he was charged with criminal damage to the car.

A State solicitor told the court the book of evidence was ready and it was served in court by Detective Sergeant Murphy.

Judge Walsh said Mr Foley was unemployed and he agreed to a request from Matthew de Courcy, defending, for legal aid for the defendant.

The judge said copies of videos of interviews were to be given to the defence.

Separately Mr Thompson appeared before Judge Victor Blake at Cloverhill District Court yesterday and was served with the book of evidence.