CCA hears convictions unsafe due to Carney speech

The convictions of two brothers found guilty of murdering a father of six are unsafe because of comments included in a widely-publicised speech at UCC during their trial by Mr Justice Paul Carney, the Court of Criminal Appeal heard today.

In June 2008 Warren Dumbrell (aged 35) and Jeffrey Dumbrell (aged 29), from Emmet Place, Inchicore, Dublin, were found guilty of the murder of Christopher Cawley (aged 36).

Mr Cawley died in front of the block of flats where he lived at Tyrone Place, Inchicore, Dublin, on October 29, 2006.

The Dumbrells were found guilty of punching and kicking Mr Cawley, attacked him with a hurley and then stabbing him in front of three of his children after chasing him through a block of flats.

They attacked Mr Cawley because they heard a fight had been arranged between him and their brother, Thomas Dumbrell.

The jury at the Central Criminal Court unanimously found the brothers guilty.

The mandatory life sentences were imposed by Mr Justice Carney.

Both had pleaded not guilty to the murder of Mr Cawley, and appealed their conviction.

In their appeal today it was argued that the speech given by Mr Justice Carney during the trial at the law faculty at University College Cork, which was extensively carried by the national media, was prejudicial against the Dumbrells and may have influenced the jury's verdict.

The DPP has opposed the appeal and argues that the convictions are safe.

The CCA, consisting of the Chief Justice Mr John Murray, sitting with Mr Justice Liam McKechnie and Ms Justice Elizabeth Dunne, reserved judgment.

The court did not indicate when it would be in a position to give its decision.