Courageous Gary Goes Down

[Pauli]

I have a soft spot for this guy. About 700 miles west of Limerick, dropped from a height of around 1000ft.

[FutureChiefJustice]

Even though the witness changed his mind the evidence was still used to convict the accused. And this Campion sounds like one of the most remorseless killers I've ever heard of. So the fact that the guy who saw him shoot the victim even gave a statement in the first place was a miracle, given his first hand experience of Campion's cold-bloodedness. Looks to me like the system works as it is Dermo.

[borntorum]

Even though the witness changed his mind the evidence was still used to convict the accused. And this Campion sounds like one of the most remorseless killers I've ever heard of. So the fact that the guy who saw him shoot the victim even gave a statement in the first place was a miracle, given his first hand experience of Campion's cold-bloodedness. Looks to me like the system works as it is Dermo.

You should remember that this trial was held in Cloverhill in Dublin. While it disproves Ahern's suggestion that it is not possible to get verdicts in these matters, I'd say it would have been a different situation if it had been held in Limerick.

The principal (indeed, the only, witness) changed his story long before this trial. As far as I know, this was the first occasion in the Central Criminal Court that a previous witness statement was admitted into evidence pursuant to the Criminal Justice Act 2006. This was introduced after the Killian Keane trial collapsed.

In the box, the witness claimed that he had been 'telling lies' when he had told the Gardai that Campion shot Ryan. There had been a number of interviews with the gardai where the witness had said nothing. Then he had a 'meeting' with a family member of the deceased, and subsequently pinpointed Campion, before then revoking this. Obviously the judge in the voir dire, and then the jury, decided that the only time the witness had been telling the truth was when he named Campion. I would not be surprised if this verdict is appealed

[BrendanGalway]

Campion has 40 convictions incuding two murders. In spite of this, the two murder convictions will be served concurrently. A Life sentence is 12 years. He becomes eligible for parole 7 years from now.

The law in many ways lets vicitims and society down in matters such as this. With all the Highly controversial legislation our "Tough on Crime" Justice Minister railroaded through, nothing was done to address the incredible leniancy shown to multiple murderers.

Perhaps that would have taken to much hard work.

[mike kelly]

How about letting him out so he he fight it out with his arch rival who has just been released?