DNA evidence links murder accused to victim

The trial of two Dublin men accused of murdering a man heard that a sample taken from the floor mat of a taxi the accused rode in after the killing matched the dead man's DNA, a jury at the Central Criminal Court heard today.

Alan Keogh (aged 32), of Wellmount Green, Finglas, Dublin, and Gary McNevin (aged 31), of no fixed abode, have pleaded not guilty to the murder of Peter Mitchell (aged 32), of Monasterboice Road, Crumlin, Dublin, at Monasterboice Road between and inclusive of October 17-20, 2003.

Dr Geraldine O'Donnell of the Forensic Science Laboratory examined a number of items taken from the scene of the killing against the DNA of the two accused and the deceased.

Bloodstains on a kitchen countertop and on a bin in the victim's home matched the DNA profile of the accused Keogh.

These bloodstains appeared to have fallen "straight down" according to Forensic Scientist Dr Martina McBride. "It suggests that someone was walking along bleeding at the time," she said.

Swabs taken from a large kitchen knife in the victim's home were insufficient in DNA to generate a profile, the court heard. Mr Brendan Grehan SC, prosecuting, said that there had been "some evidence that the knife was washed".

Swabs taken from a floor mat on the passenger side of a taxi the two accused, along with a woman, rode in after the killing "matched Peter Mitchell's blood samples", Dr O'Donnell said.

The court also heard from Detective Garda John Doggitt who confirmed to Ms Isobel Kennedy, for Keogh, that the deceased had been prosecuted in 1993 for criminal damage and sentenced to five years in prison.

After his arrest, Mr Mitchell had admitted to setting a fire, which destroyed a unit of the Mater Hospital, in 1993. Det Gd Doggitt agreed with Ms Kennedy that Mitchell "said he had a problem with a specialist in the building and intended to in fact burn him out".

The trial continues before Mr Justice Michael Peart.