Man on trial for Kilkenny postmaster shooting

A Chinese national has gone on trial in the Central Criminal Court at Dublin for the murder of a Kilkenny postmaster who he shot after stealing €13,000 from a post office on John’s Green in the city.

Shu Shen, formerly of The Old Rectory, New Ross, Co Wexford admits the manslaughter of Alan Cunniffe, 32, on December 8, 2006 but he denies his murder.

Mr Alex Owens SC, for the Director of Public Prosecutions, said the DPP would not accept Shen’s manslaughter plea.

Shen, 25, has pleaded guilty to stealing money over the value of €13,000 from the post office and being in possession of a firearm with intent to commit robbery in relation to the same incident.

In his opening speech to the jury of six men and six women Mr Owens said the prosecution must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Shen intended either to kill or seriously injure Mr Cunniffe.

Mr Justice Paul Carney and the court heard on the morning of December 8, Shen caught a bus from Dublin to Kilkenny, armed with a modified pistol capable of taking .22 rounds and a knife.

About 12pm he presented at the post office on John’s Green in Kilkenny and held up the staff making off with over €13,000 in cash.

Mr Owens said there would be evidence the pistol was loaded with a .22 round at the time.

As Shen left the post office with the money in a bag Mr Cunniffe arrived and pursued him, the court heard.

“There will be evidence that during this chase Mr Shen pointed the gun at Mr Cunniffe to get him to stop chasing him,” Mr Owens said

Outside a nearby factory Mr Cunniffe caught Shen and attempted to grab the bag from him, Mr Owens said.

“Mr Shen shot him with the gun in the abdomen,” Mr Owens told the court.

“The prosecution case is that this shot into the stomach of Mr Cunniffe was intended to kill or cause serious injury to Mr Cunniffe,” Mr Owens said.

Mr Cunniffe was taken to hospital but died at 3pm.

Gardaí arrested Shen a short time afterwards.

Shen is represented by, Mr Paul Coffey SC.

Mr Justice Carney has said he expects the case to last six days.