52-Year-Old Denies Murder And Weapon Possession

The Central Criminal Court heard today that a 52-year-old man shot another man as he sat on a sofa in his apartment watching a film.

Edward Flannigan was found shot dead at Peter Donnelly's apartment on 16 June 2011.

Mr Donnelly of The Green, Larch Hill Apartments, Santry, Dublin, has pleaded not guilty to the murder of Mr Flanagan and possession of an automatic pistol and three rounds of ammunition in June 2011.

Outlining the case, Senior Counsel Eileen O'Leary said four men were drinking cans of beer in a field at the back of Belcamp College in Coolock before going back to Mr Donnelly's apartment.

They continued drinking there while watching films in the living room, but a dispute arose.

The court heard that Mr Donnelly left, came back with a handgun, walked around the back of the couch, and shot Mr Flanagan in the back of the neck.

Neighbours heard the shots and called gardaí.

The jury of seven men and three women was told that later that morning, Mr Donnelly voluntarily went to Coolock Garda Station and told gardaí he discharged the gun that shot Mr Flanagan.

He denies the charges of murder and possession of a Baikal 9mm automatic pistol and three rounds of .38 calibre ammunition.

The trial is expected to last a week.

(H)