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. 6040Murder · Co. Limerick · 9 Nov 2008

John Dundon seeks to adduce fresh evidence in appeal against murder conviction

Shane Geoghegan, a rugby player, was shot five times with a Glock semi-automatic pistol on 9 November 2008 near his home at Clonmore, Kilteragh, Dooradoyle, Limerick, in what was described as a case of mistaken identity. Barry Doyle was found guilty of murdering Geoghegan by a jury at the Central Criminal Court and was given a mandatory life sentence on 16 February 2012. John Dundon was convicted at the Special Criminal Court in 2013 of ordering the killing and is serving a life sentence. On 22 April 2024, Dundon's counsel asked the Court of Appeal to hear fresh evidence of a prison phone call between witnesses Lisa Collins and Christopher McCarthy, and the court reserved judgment on that application.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court22 Apr
    2 reports
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • Shane Geoghegan, a rugby player, was shot dead.
  • John Dundon was convicted in 2013 at the Special Criminal Court of ordering the killing of Shane Geoghegan.
Where
Geoghegan was killed near his home at Clonmore, Kilteragh, Dooradoyle, Limerick.
When
Geoghegan was killed on 9 November 2008.
Cause
Geoghegan was shot in a case of mistaken identity.
Weapon
Geoghegan was shot five times with a Glock semi-automatic pistol.
In court
  • Barry Doyle was found guilty of murdering Geoghegan by a jury at the Central Criminal Court.
  • On 22 April 2024, Dundon's counsel asked the Court of Appeal to hear fresh evidence of the phone call, which did not emerge at his 2013 trial.
  • The defence argued the call could undermine the credibility and motive of the witnesses, while the prosecution argued it showed the witnesses feared Dundon.
  • The DPP said Dundon cannot rely on a disadvantage caused by his decision to sack his lawyers on the first day of his trial, although his original legal team knew of the call and the evidence fell through the cracks after he sacked them.
  • The Court of Appeal, sitting with three judges, reserved judgment on the application to adduce fresh evidence.
Sentence
  • Barry Doyle was given the mandatory life sentence on 16 February 2012.
  • John Dundon is serving a life sentence.
Other details
April Collins told the court she heard Dundon order Barry Doyle to kill a gang rival less than 48 hours before Geoghegan's death.
Investigation
A phone call between witnesses Lisa Collins and Christopher McCarthy was recorded by the Irish Prison Service while McCarthy was in jail.
27 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatDundon was convicted at the Special Criminal Court in 2013 of ordering the hit that killed Shane Geoghegan. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatDundon was convicted in 2013 of ordering the hit that killed Shane Geoghegan. (irishtimes.com)
  • whereShane Geoghegan was killed near his home at Clonmore, Kilteragh, Dooradoyle. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whereThe shooting happened near the victim's home at Clonmore, Kilteragh, Dooradoyle. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenShane Geoghegan was killed on November 9, 2008. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whenThe shooting happened on November 9th, 2008. (irishtimes.com)
  • causeGeoghegan was shot in a case of mistaken identity. (irishmirror.ie, irishtimes.com)
  • weaponGeoghegan was shot five times with a Glock semi-automatic pistol. (irishmirror.ie, irishtimes.com)
  • investigationThe phone call was recorded by the Irish Prison Service while McCarthy was in jail. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtDundon's counsel asked the Court of Appeal to hear fresh evidence of a phone call between two prosecution witnesses. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtThe defence argued the call was relevant to the witnesses' credibility and motive. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtThe prosecution said Dundon was not entitled to rely on a disadvantage caused by his decision to sack his lawyers. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtThe prosecution argued the phone call supported its case because it showed the witnesses feared Dundon. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtThe Court of Appeal reserved judgment on the application to adduce fresh evidence. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtBarry Doyle was found guilty of murdering Geoghegan by a jury at the Central Criminal Court. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtDominic McGinn SC argued before the Court of Appeal that it should hear fresh evidence of a phone conversation between witnesses Lisa Collins and Christopher McCarthy. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtDefence counsel said the phone call could have been used to undermine the credibility of the witnesses at trial. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe Special Criminal Court found the evidence of the three witnesses to be credible. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtSean Guerin SC, for the DPP, said Dundon is not entitled to rely on a disadvantage caused by his decision to sack his lawyers on the first day of his trial. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe DPP argued the phone call supported the prosecution case because it showed the witnesses were in fear of Dundon. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtMr Justice John Edwards, sitting with Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy and Ms Justice Isobel Kennedy, reserved judgment on the application to adduce fresh evidence. (irishtimes.com)
  • sentenceDundon is serving a life sentence. (irishmirror.ie, irishtimes.com)
  • sentenceBarry Doyle was given the mandatory life sentence for murdering Geoghegan. (irishmirror.ie)
  • sentenceDoyle was given the mandatory life sentence on February 16th, 2012. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherDundon's original legal team was aware of the phone call, but the evidence later fell through the cracks after he sacked his lawyers. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherApril Collins told the court she heard Dundon order Barry Doyle to kill a gang rival less than 48 hours before Geoghegan's death. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherGeoghegan played rugby for Garryowen in Limerick. (irishtimes.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 22 Apr2024
    In courtirishtimes.com, first report
    Limerick gangster John Dundon appeals murder sentence over fresh witness evidence

    Court of Appeal hearing on Dundon's application to adduce fresh evidence of a prison phone call between witnesses Lisa Collins and Christopher McCarthy; judgment reserved.

    victim, Shane Geoghegan, 28, male, irish (judged from name)Shane Geogheganconvicted, John Dundon, 41, male, named, irish (judged from name)John Dundonconvicted, Barry Doyle, 38, male, named, irish (judged from name)Barry Doyle
  2. 22 Apr2024
    In courtirishmirror.ie, follow-up
    Court hears evidence 'fell between cracks' in John Dundon murder trial

    Reports the Court of Appeal hearing on the application to adduce fresh evidence in Dundon's appeal, with judgment reserved. Adds the defence argument, the prosecution response, and that Dundon's original lawyers knew of the call.

    convicted, John Dundon, 41, male, named, irish (judged from name)John Dundonvictim, Shane Geoghegan, 28, male, irish (judged from name)Shane Geogheganconvicted, Barry Doyle, 38, named, irish (judged from name)Barry Doyle