Lee Canavan appeals life sentence for murder of David Douglas at Dublin shoe shop
David Douglas, 55, was shot six times at the counter of Shoestown shoe shop in Dublin's Liberties on 1 July 2016. Lee Canavan, 36, pleaded not guilty to the murder and was jailed for life by the Special Criminal Court on 3 June 2021, with a concurrent five-year sentence for criminal damage to the getaway vehicle. Canavan was the fourth man to be jailed in relation to the killing. In July 2025, Canavan appealed his conviction, arguing the court erred in convicting him on joint enterprise when the prosecution had opened the case on the basis that he was the shooter.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In court25 Jul
- Verdict
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- David Douglas, 55, was shot six times at the counter of Shoestown shoe shop in Dublin's Liberties on 1 July 2016.
- A Mercedes car used in the killing was found burned out near the shooting, and a stolen Suzuki Swift was used to ferry those in the Mercedes away from the burn site.
- Cause
- Douglas died after sustaining injuries to his chest, neck, back, torso, elbow and jaw.
- Weapon
- A semi-automatic pistol with its serial number removed was used and left at the scene next to the deceased's head.
- Charges
- Lee Canavan, 36, pleaded not guilty to murdering Douglas.
- Sentence
- Canavan was jailed for life by the Special Criminal Court on 3 June 2021 and concurrently jailed for five years for criminal damage to the getaway vehicle in Sandymount three days after the shooting.
- Nathan Foley, 26, was jailed for six years in 2019 after pleading guilty to assisting a criminal organisation.
- Other details
- Canavan was the fourth man to be jailed in relation to the murder.
- In court
- In July 2025, Canavan appealed his conviction, arguing the court erred by convicting on joint enterprise when the prosecution opened the case on the basis that Canavan was the shooter.
13 statements extracted from the articles
- whatA Mercedes car used in the killing was found burned out near the shooting (irishtimes.com)
- whatA stolen Suzuki Swift was used to ferry those in the Mercedes away from the burn site (irishtimes.com)
- whatDouglas died after sustaining injuries to his chest, neck, back, torso, elbow and jaw (irishtimes.com)
- whereCanavan had an address at Edenbrook, Rathfarnham, Dublin 14 (irishtimes.com)
- weaponA semi-automatic pistol with its serial number removed was used in the murder (irishtimes.com)
- chargeCanavan pleaded not guilty to murdering Douglas (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceLee Canavan was jailed for life by the Special Criminal Court on 3 June 2021 (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceNathan Foley was jailed for six years in 2019 after pleading guilty to assisting a criminal organisation (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceCanavan was concurrently jailed for five years for criminal damage to the getaway vehicle in Sandymount three days after the shooting (irishtimes.com)
- otherCanavan was the fourth man to be jailed in relation to the murder (irishtimes.com)
- otherCanavan had been stopped 22 times in cars he was not entitled to drive (irishtimes.com)
- otherOn 11 of those occasions Canavan had been in the company of Freddie Thompson (irishtimes.com)
- otherCanavan is a father of one (irishtimes.com)
The reporting
newest first- 25 Jul2025Man jailed for role in murder of David Douglas in Dublin shoe shop appeals conviction
Reports on Canavan's appeal hearing where his counsel argued the court made an error by convicting on joint enterprise/common design when the prosecution opened the case on the basis that Canavan was the shooter, and that his general association with co-accused was insufficient evidence of guilt. The DPP responded that the court found Canavan was 'an integral part' of the team on the basis of joint enterprise.
victim, 55, male, irish (judged from name)convicted, Lee Canavan, 36, male, named, irish (judged from name)Lee Canavanconvicted, 45, male, irish (judged from name)convicted, Nathan Foley, 26, male, named, irish (judged from name)Nathan Foleyconvicted, Gareth Brophy, 30, male, named, irish (judged from name)Gareth Brophy