Wednesday 28 October 2026Compiled from published reports. Every claim links to its source.

Ireland Crime

Every case followed from the first report to the sentence, or to where the reporting stopped.

Case No. 6657Murder · Co. Dublin · 1 Jul 2016

Fat Freddie Thompson loses Court of Appeal bid to quash murder conviction

On 1 July 2016, David 'Daithí' Douglas, a 55-year-old man, was shot six times at a counter in his partner's shop on Bridgefoot Street, Dublin 8. 'Fat' Freddie Thompson, a 43-year-old man, pleaded not guilty and was jailed for life by the Special Criminal Court in August 2018 after a 12-day trial. In April 2023 his lawyers argued that his conviction should be quashed over CCTV image quality, privacy breaches and the lack of records of his identification. On 30 January 2024 the Court of Appeal found no error in admitting the footage and dismissed the appeal in its entirety, so his conviction and life sentence stand.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court30 Jan
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • David 'Daithí' Douglas, a 55-year-old man and father of one, was murdered in Dublin in 2016.
  • 'Fat' Freddie Thompson, a 43-year-old man of Loreto Road, Maryland, Dublin 8, was convicted of Mr Douglas's murder.
When
The shooting took place on 1 July 2016.
Where
Mr Douglas was shot six times at a counter in his partner's shop, 'Shoestown', on Bridgefoot Street, Dublin 8.
Cause
Thompson had been driving a Ford Fiesta that was involved in the murder plot.
Weapon
A semi-automatic pistol with its serial number removed was found next to Mr Douglas's head.
Investigation
Thompson was identified from CCTV footage, and his defence argued that no record or notes of the Garda identification procedure were taken.
Charges
Thompson pleaded not guilty to the murder.
In court
  • The Special Criminal Court found Thompson guilty after a 12-day trial in August 2018, and the trial judge said the prosecution did not suggest he fired the shots but that he was one of the people involved.
  • The Court of Appeal held that the trial court did not err in ruling the White Swan footage admissible and agreed there was no breach of Thompson's privacy.
  • On 30 January 2024 the Court of Appeal dismissed Thompson's appeal in its entirety, finding none of the grounds upheld.
Sentence
Thompson is serving a life sentence for the murder.
11 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatThompson lost a bid to have his murder conviction quashed over his identification from CCTV footage. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatThompson is serving life for the murder of David 'Daithí' Douglas in Dublin in 2016. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whereMr Douglas was shot six times at a counter in his partner's shop on Bridgefoot Street, Dublin 8. (irishmirror.ie)
  • causeThompson had been driving a Ford Fiesta that was involved in the murder plot. (irishmirror.ie)
  • weaponA semi-automatic pistol with its serial number removed was found next to Mr Douglas's head. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationDefence counsel argued that no record or notes of the Garda identification procedure had been taken. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtThompson pleaded not guilty and was jailed for life at the Special Criminal Court in August 2018 after a 12-day trial. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtThe trial judge said the prosecution did not suggest Thompson fired the shots, but that he was one of the people involved. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtThe Court of Appeal held that the trial court did not err in ruling the White Swan footage admissible. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtThe Court of Appeal agreed with the trial court that there was no breach of Thompson's privacy. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtThe Court of Appeal found none of the grounds of appeal had been upheld and dismissed the appeal in its entirety. (irishmirror.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 30 Jan2024
    In courtirishmirror.ie, first report
    Jailed mobster Fat Freddie Thompson loses CCTV footage bid for freedom

    Reports the Court of Appeal's dismissal of Thompson's conviction appeal, which upholds his life sentence. Adds the appeal grounds (CCTV quality, privacy breach, lack of records on Garda identification) and the court's rulings on each.

    victim, David 'Daithí' Douglas, 55, male, irish (judged from name)David 'Daithí' Douglasconvicted, 'Fat' Freddie Thompson, 43, male, named, irish (judged from name)'Fat' Freddie Thompson