Double murder trial adjourned until next week

The trial of a Dublin man accused of a double murder in the city two years ago has been adjourned until Monday, when legal argument will continue to be heard in the absence of the jury.

Gary Howard (age 24), with addresses at Emerald Street, Dublin 2 and Dunsoghly Grove, Finglas, has pleaded not guilty to murdering Patrick Mooney (aged 58) and Brendan Molyneaux (aged 46) at Pearse House on January 10, 2010.

Mr Justice Paul Carney yesterday told the jury of six women and six men that the trial was moving to a phase in which the law required he act without their assistance. He said that it could be as long as a week before they are asked to reconvene.

Friends Brendan Molyneaux and Patrick Mooney were shot in the city-centre flat belonging to Mr Mooney on the evening of Sunday, January 10, 2010. Both were pronounced dead shortly after their arrival at hospital. Gary Howard was arrested by gardai after they forced their way in to his Finglas home at 9:25pm on the same night.

It is the prosecution case that evidence such as CCTV footage and alleged confessions to the shootings made by Gary Howard in garda custody will prove that he carried out the fatal shooting at approximately 6:40pm on the evening in question.