Court dismisses Dundon appeal; Shane Geoghegan murder trial set for next week

The Supreme Court has dismissed an appeal by Limerick man John Dundon aimed at delaying his trial for the murder of rugby player Shane Geoghegan almost five years ago.

John Dundon (aged 29) with an address at Hyde Road, Limerick, was due to stand trial for the murder of Mr Geoghegan at Dooradoyle in November 2008, at the non-jury Special Criminal Court earlier this month.

He brought High Court proceedings over the SCC's refusal to adjourn the start of his trial.

He sought the adjournment because his lawyers claim they were not given enough time to examine the large volume of material about the case, which was disclosed to them in late April and early May of this year by the Gardaí.

His lawyers claimed this lack of time meant there was a risk their client would not get a fair trial.

The DPP opposed the adjournment due to security concerns of a key prosecution witness in the case and argued that the trial should proceed.

Today the Supreme Court ruled that based on an undertaking given by the DPP to identify to Mr Dundon's lawyers what documentation they say is relevant to the trial by close of business on Thursday, the trial should go ahead.

The trial is due before the SCC next Tuesday, and is expected to last for four weeks.