Ireland Case No. 4966Murder · Co. Limerick · 7 Jul 2018
Supreme Court dismisses Mark Crawford's appeal against murder conviction
The Supreme Court dismissed Mark Crawford's appeal against his life sentence for the 2018 murder of Patrick O'Connor at Fitzgerald's Bar in Limerick. The court held that the jury properly rejected Crawford's self-defence claim under the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act 1997.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Convicted14 Oct
- Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet
Key facts
consolidated from all reports14 statements extracted from the articles
- whatMark Crawford, 47, was formerly of Quarry Road, Thomondgate, Co Limerick. (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe victim was stabbed six times, piercing his heart and neck. (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe two men met for the first time the day before the murder. (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe pair had been taking cocaine together on July 7th. (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe prosecution argued the row was over payment for cocaine. (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe murder occurred on July 7th or 8th, 2018. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe Supreme Court dismissed Crawford's appeal against his murder conviction. (irishtimes.com)
- courtCrawford pleaded not guilty and a unanimous jury rejected his self-defence claim. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe Court of Appeal dismissed the appeal in March 2023. (irishtimes.com)
- courtCrawford's lawyers argued the 1972 Dwyer judgment on self-defence was too narrow. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe DPP opposed the appeal. (irishtimes.com)
- courtA five-judge Supreme Court dismissed the appeal in two concurring judgments. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe jury found Crawford did not hold an honest belief that the force used was necessary. (irishtimes.com)
- courtMr Justice Hogan agreed the 1997 Act replaced common law self-defence rules in homicide cases. (irishtimes.com)
The reporting
newest first- 14 Oct2024Supreme Court dismisses man’s appeal against conviction for murder
The Supreme Court, in two concurring judgments, dismissed Crawford's appeal and upheld his life sentence. The court held that Section 18 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act 1997 replaced the common law self-defence rules in homicide cases, and that the jury properly found Crawford did not hold an honest belief that the force used was necessary.
victim, Patrick 'Pa' O'Connor, 24, male, irish (judged from name)Patrick 'Pa' O'Connorconvicted, Mark Crawford, 47, male, named, irish (judged from name)Mark Crawford