Travellers found not guilty in attempted murder case

Two Travellers charged with triple attempted murder were acquitted on all charges at the Central Criminal Court today.

Martin McDonagh (aged 31) and Patrick McDonagh (aged 42) sat crying as the jury of nine men and three women returned their verdicts before Mr Justice Paul Carney in court room one.

The cousins, from Dunsink Lane, Finglas, Dublin, were charged with the attempted murder of Robert Gavin, John Gavin and Patrick Gavin at St Dominic’s Park, Belcamp Lane, Coolock, on New Year’s Day, 2005.

After deliberating for nearly two hours, the jury found them not guilty on all charges, including possessing a shotgun and intentionally or recklessly causing harm to Robert Gavin on the same day.

The families had been involved in a feud regarding a damaged caravan, the court heard during the eight-day trial. Mr Niall Durnin SC took the prosecution case.

The McDonagh’s counsel, Mr Martin Giblin SC, for Martin McDonagh and Mr Paul Burns SC, for Patrick McDonagh said the men were never in Coolock Park when the shooting happened.

About 80 McDonagh family members yelled, cried and hugged as the verdicts were read, Patrick McDonagh looked across and mouthed "thank you" to the jury, a small copy of 'The Miracle Prayer' in his hand.