DOUGLAS BLASTED TO DEATH WITH SIX BULLETS AT STORE
Murder trial is told of injuries sustained by 55-yr-old David
DAVID Douglas died from six gunshot injuries to his head, neck and trunk after he was shot while standing in the doorway of his shoe shop, the Special Criminal Court heard.
The non-jury court was told yesterday that five of the bullets had exited his body. One was recovered from the left side of his trunk and small pieces of metal were located in his elbow joint.
Former State Pathologist Professor Marie Cassidy was giving evidence via video-link in the trial of Lee Canavan, 31, who is charged with murdering 55-year-old Mr
Douglas at Shoestown, Bridgefoot Street, Dublin, on July 1, 2016.
Canavan, with an address at Edenbrook, Rathfarnham, Dublin, has pleaded not guilty.
He also denies a second charge of criminal damage to a Suzuki Swift vehicle at Strand Road, Sandymount, on July 4, 2016, the property of Teresa Devoy.
It is the prosecution’s case that this was a “meticulously and carefully planned assassination” and Mr Canavan was “the person who literally pulled the trigger” after entering Mr Douglas’ shop shortly after 4pm on the day of the shooting.
Professor Cassidy
told prosecuting counsel Sean Gillane she conducted the post mortem on Mr Douglas on July 2, the day after he was shot dead.
The witness said she was provided with information concerning the circumstances of his death and medical history, which showed his kidney and spleen were previously removed.
Prof Cassidy said Mr Douglas sustained six gunshot injuries to the right side of his face, left side of his chin, left side of his neck, right upper chest, right side of trunk and right elbow.
In her evidence, the expert said X-rays had been taken prior to the postmortem in order to locate the bullets.
The witness noted there was extensive damage to his upper and lower jaw and a small split in the skin on the back of his head was consistent with him collapsing in his shop. His stomach was extended and filled with a curry meal, she said, adding that attempts had been made to resuscitate him. He had also recently taken cocaine.
Prof Cassidy noted the deceased’s cause of death was gunshot injuries to his head, neck and trunk and a contributory factor was a gunshot to his right shoulder.
The trial continues.