Recently-convicted Jacqui Noble and Paul Hopkins were refused leave to appeal their sentences for the murder of Derek Benson in the Central Criminal Court today.
Defence counsel for Jacqui Noble, Ms Mary Ellen Ring SC, made an application to forward evidence from a senior Garda relating to Jacqui Noble to be placed on her file for consideration by the parole board. The Garda witness was in court and prepared to testify in favour of Noble but the judge refused to hear his evidence.
Mr Justice Abbott said the application was "unprecedented in relation to a conviction by a jury" and refused leave to hear the evidence or have it included on Noble's file for the parole board.
The prosecution told the court their position was that they had "no further role to play from here on in". Counsel for both Noble and Hopkins submitted details of the grounds of their appeals to Mr Justice Henry Abbott who said he would consider the issues raised.
Ms Mary Ellen Ring SC told the judge her proposed grounds for appeal included the issues of subpoena evidence, medical evidence and provocation relating to Noble.
Counsel for Paul Hopkins, Mr Cormac Quinn, submitted a similar appeal based on the issues of arrest, custody, detention and provocation. Both were refused leave to appeal by Justice Abbott. Both Noble and Hopkins were present in court for today's proceedings.
Noble (38) of Knowth Court, Ballymun, Dublin and Hopkins (24) Sillogue Road, Ballymun were last week found guilty of the murder of Derek Benson (33) at Sandy Hill Avenue Ballymun on May 13th 2000.