Charges against gangland shooting victim struck out

Proceedings against a recent victim of a gangland fatal shooting have been struck out by Judge Frank O’Donnell at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court today.

James Purdue (aged 22), a father of one of Belcamp Crescent, Priorswood who was shot dead on June 19 last, had been due for sentence for assault causing serious harm to Mr Martin Grimes on December 21, 2003.

Purdue had previously pleaded guilty to stabbing Mr Grimes six times at Strand road, Portmarnock after earlier drinking a litre of vodka.

A Probation and Welfare Services report handed into the court noted that Purdue was now deceased and Mr Stephen McCann BL, prosecuting, formally requested that the proceedings by struck out.