DPP lawyers claim 'new evidence' was available before Brian Meehan's trial

Lawyers for the DPP claim the so-called “new evidence” mentioned in Brian Meehan’s latest appeal was made available to his defence before his trial, but wasn’t appreciated.

The 47-year-old, from Crumlin in Dublin, was jailed for life in 1999 for his part in the assassination of journalist Veronica Guerin.

Self-confessed accomplice Russell Warren testified against Brian Meehan, claiming he was the driver of the motorbike that pulled up beside Veronica Guerin’s car before the pillion passenger opened fire in June 1996.

He said he followed her from Naas District Court and was in constant phone contact with both Meehan and John Gilligan, who was later acquitted of her murder.

The Special Criminal Court was satisfied he was there after hearing from a woman who placed a man fitting his description on the steps of the courthouse.

That same woman was unable to pick Meehan out of a Garda line up – something his defence claims is a “crucial, new fact” that only came to light during Gilligan’s trial.

He’s now calling for his conviction to be declared a miscarriage of justice, but lawyers for the DPP claim the evidence was made available, but not appreciated at the time by his legal team.

The three-judge panel will deliver its judgement at a later date.