Murder trial begins over shooting at Christening

A MAN has gone on trial at the Central Criminal Court charged with shooting dead a father of two after a fight at a Christening.

Robert Egan, aged 27, of Dromheath Avenue, Mulhuddart, pleaded not guilty to the murder of Wayne Doherty at Oakview Way, Hartstown, on July 5, 2009. He did plead guilty to the unlawful possession of a shotgun at the same address on July 4.

Mr Doherty, aged 32 and a father of two, was shot after he attempted to stop a dispute involving his friends and a group of men late on the night of July 4, 2009.

For the prosecution, Paul Coffey SC told the jury it would hear how Robert Egan told gardaí he brought a shotgun to shoot Robert Hughes — a friend of the deceased — in the legs.

Mr Coffey said the accused man told gardaí in interview that he was holding the shotgun when it discharged but denied any intention of killing or causing harm to Mr Doherty, telling investigating officers that the weapon discharged in circumstances where the deceased hit him twice on the head with a hammer.

The trial, which is expected to last one week, continues in front of Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy.