Courts

DPP drops charge against woman linked to father’s death

Sharon Cullen (39), was charged with causing grievous harm to Christopher Payne in 1988

In October 2014 a five-judge Supreme Court dismissed the DPP’s appeal against a High Court decision halting the prosecution of Sharon Cullen on the grounds of delay. File photograph: Collins Courts
In October 2014 a five-judge Supreme Court dismissed the DPP’s appeal against a High Court decision halting the prosecution of Sharon Cullen on the grounds of delay. File photograph: Collins Courts
Mon Jun 22 2015 - 18:58

The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has dropped the charge against a woman charged in connection with the death of her father in 1988.

Sharon Cullen (39), with an address at Ballyjamesduff, Co Cavan was charged with unlawfully and maliciously causing grievous harm to her father, Christopher Payne, with intent to murder him at Rutland Grove, Crumlin, in Dublin on May 13th, 1988.

In October 2014 a five-judge Supreme Court dismissed the DPP's appeal against a High Court decision halting the prosecution of Ms Cullen on the grounds of delay.

Counsel on behalf of the DPP entered a nolle prosequi - a decision not to proceed with the case - at the Central Criminal Court on Monday.