Judge Threatens To Removed Murder Accused, Who Is Defending Himself, From Court

Friday, 15 October 2021 13:36

Stephen Penrose, of Newtown Court, Malahide Road, Coolock, Dublin 17, is representing himself in his trial for the murder of 24-year-old Philip Finnegan, whose remains were found in Kildare.

A judge has threatened to have a man removed from his own murder trial for what he described as a "rant" at one of the witnesses.

Stephen Penrose, of Newtown Court, Malahide Road, Coolock, Dublin 17, is representing himself in his trial for the murder of 24-year-old Philip Finnegan.

Our Courts Correspondent Frank Greaney reports:

"Inspector Aidan Hannon was recalled to the witness box after giving evidence yesterday of meeting Stephen Penrose, at his request, on August 12th 2016 – two days after he’s alleged to have murdered his friend at Rahin Wood, Co Kildare.

Today, Inspector Hannon identified the accused in CCTV footage shown to the jury.

Under cross-examination afterwards, Mr Penrose, who’s representing himself, questioned him about yesterday’s evidence and repeatedy called him a liar.

He described his testimony as “rubbish” and told the judge he should be dismissed.

Mr Justice Alex Owens called for order and threatened to have him sent to the cells if he didn’t behave himself. He told him he was obliged to protect witnesses and wouldn’t allow them to be “abused and ballyragged”.

He said he wasn’t going to allow his court become a “circus” before ordering him to sit down. The jury was then sent away for an early lunch and the trial is due to resume this afternoon."

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