A man charged with the murder of two women in sheltered accommodation 15 years ago is not entitled to damages over an alleged delay in bringing him to trial, the High Court has ruled.
Mark Nash (38), originally from Huddersfield in Yorkshire, England, was charged in October 2009 with the murders of Mary Callanan and Sylvia Shields at Grangegorman, close to St Brendan’s Psychiatric Hospital, Dublin, on March 6th or 7th, 1997.
His trial is scheduled for late next year.
In 2010, he brought a High Court action seeking to halt his prosecution arguing his right to a fair trial had been prejudiced by delay in bringing the charges, publicity surrounding the case and the unavailability of a witness.
Last August, Mr Justice Michael Moriarty refused an injunction stopping his trial.
Mr Nash claimed he was entitled to damages on grounds his right under the Constitution and the European Convention on Human Rights to a trial with due expedition was breached. He also sought legal costs of his action.
Yesterday, Mr Justice Moriarty rejected his claim concerning damages but awarded him one-third of his costs.