Apprentice film-studio electrician to go on trial accused of attempted murder

An apprentice film studio electrician will go on trial on Wednesday, accused of trying to murder another man close to Finglas Garda station nearly three years ago.

Martin Cunningham (27) is charged with attempting to murder Kenneth Fitzsimons (41) at Mellowes Road, Finglas, Dublin 11, on April 10th, 2019.

Mr Cunningham, Warrenstown Drive, Mulhuddart, Dublin 15, also faces two other charges in relation to the same incident.

He is further accused of assaulting Mr Fitzsimons, causing him harm, on the same occasion, as well as producing a machete which was capable of inflicting serious injury.

The accused stood up when arraigned before the Central Criminal Court on Monday afternoon and pleaded not guilty when each of the three counts were put to him.

Mr Justice Paul McDermott told the jury panel that the charges arose out of the April 10th event, and are alleged to have occurred “quite near” to the Garda station.

The judge said the defendant, Mr Cunningham, is an apprentice electrician and worked at Ardmore Studios in Co Wicklow.

A jury of seven men and five women was sworn in to hear the trial, which is due to begin on Wednesday morning before Ms Justice Eileen Creedon and is expected to last three weeks.