Appeal against life sentence for murder of taxi driver dismissed

A Dublin man has lost his appeal against his conviction and life imprisonment for the murder of a taxi driver more than three…

A Dublin man has lost his appeal against his conviction and life imprisonment for the murder of a taxi driver more than three years ago. Carlos Byrne (25), Linnetsfield Square, Clonee, Co Meath, had claimed his conviction for the murder of Mark Smyth at Fortlawn Estate, Blanchardstown, Co Dublin, on March 18th, 2008, was unsafe.

He argued that the trial judge had erred in finding his arrest in a Dublin hotel days after the murder was lawful. Gardaí arrested Byrne after forcing their way into his room. His lawyers argued that arrest was rendered unlawful because no attempt was made at a peaceful entry before the forced entry.

It was also argued that the trial judge erred in allowing certain admissions made by Byrne after his arrest to go before the jury.

The Court of Criminal Appeal, comprising Mr Justice Liam McKechnie, presiding, with Mr Justice Roderick Murphy and Mr Justice Daniel O’Keeffe, yesterday dismissed his appeal on all grounds.