‘Gunman came out of nowhere’

A man who shot his uncle dead after a fist fight between two other people initially told gardaí that a gunman had come “out of nowhere” and shot him.

A jury at the Central Criminal Court heard the evidence yesterday in the trial of David Cully, 24, who has admitted killing his uncle, Edward O’Connor, by shooting him in his back.

The father of one from Kilshane Rd, Finglas West, has pleaded not guilty to murdering his 41-year-old uncle, but guilty to his manslaughter at Ballycoolin Rd, Finglas West, on December 15, 2013.

Detective Sergeant Gavin Ross testified that he and two colleagues took Mr Cully to Blanchardstown Garda Station following his arrest on the morning after the shooting. He said the accused made an assertion as they arrived at the station.

“To be honest with you, I’ll tell you the truth,” said Mr Cully, according to the detective.

“After the fight, a gunman came around the corner out of nowhere and shot him. That’s it.”

However, the court heard Mr Cully admitted bringing a gun to a fist fight and shooting his uncle afterwards.

The detective said he told gardaí that he had arranged the fist fight between Mr O’Connor’s son, Darren O’Connor, and another man that day.

He told officers that, after arranging the fight, he went to collect a gun from Dunsink tip head, where he had noticed one days earlier.

He said that he was on his way back to his car following the fight, when his uncle turned and

said: ‘Tell the red pox I was asking for her,’ in reference to a person who had made an allegation of sexual abuse.”

“I got enraged by the sex allegations,” said Mr Cully. “I fired at his legs. I’d no intention of killing him.”

The trial continues before Mr Justice Carroll Moran and the jury.