Man found guilty of taxi driver murder

A man accused of murdering a taxi driver by stabbing him 43 times in front of his girlfriend and young child has been found guilty at the Central Criminal Court.

The jury of six men and six women took around four hours to find 23-year-old Carlos Byrne guilty of murdering 31-year-old Mark Smyth at Fortlawn Avenue, Blanchardstown, on March 18, 2008.

The jury is still considering a charge of murder against Byrne's co-accused, Lindsey Fahy (aged 26). Both accused have an address at Linnetsfield Square, Clonee, Co. Meath.

Mr Justice Paul Butler told the jury that it could return a majority verdict of at least 10 to two in relation to Ms Fahy. He remanded Mr Byrne in custody and will deal with his sentence when the jury has completed its deliberations.

The jury heard that Mr Smyth was stabbed in a row over drug money. Mr Smyth had gone to Byrne and Ms Fahy’s home in his taxi. The accused couple armed themselves with knives and asked to be driven to the estate which Ms Fahy was from.

When the taxi stopped Mr Byrne attacked Mr Smyth with a knife and Ms Fahy stabbed him once. Both accused told gardaí that Mr Smyth had pulled out a gun but it is accepted by the defence that that was not the case.

The attack spilled out on to the street where Mr Byrne continued to stab Mr Smyth until he fell to the ground where Ms Fahy kicked him.