A leading Dublin gangland figure whose prosecution for rape sparked a violent feud involving grenade attacks, shootings and two murders, is to appeal his conviction.
Christopher Griffin is currently serving a life sentence for the sexual abuse and rape of his stepdaughter.
The case caused an acrimonious split in Griffin's native Sheriff Street area in the north inner city as one local faction supported the rapist in the face of the allegations, while another opposed what he had done.
The split has resulted in a number of violent incidents with armed gardaí continuing saturation high-visibility patrols in the area to discourage further bloodshed.
Following two feud-related murders last year, gardaí have drawn up a list of 32 people - 16 men in each faction - whom they believe are at risk of being shot by each other.
News that Griffin is to appeal will raise fears among gardaí and residents that the appeal hearing, which will likely take place next year, will lead to a fresh round of feuding.
Griffin's trial in January was moved to Cloverhill courthouse in west Dublin over fears that the opposing factions would congregate in large numbers and clash in the Four Courts, which is much closer to their Sheriff Street base.
The trial judge ordered that metal detectors be installed at Cloverhill and instructed gardaí not to admit anybody wearing a bullet-proof vest. Jurors at an earlier trial, which ended without a verdict, were so intimidated by some of those in the public gallery that they requested and were granted Garda protection.
Griffin's legal representatives have now lodged notice of intention to appeal. It is not yet known on what grounds he is appealing.
Griffin (37), Ridgewood Green, Swords, and formerly of Canon Lillis Avenue, was found guilty by a jury on January 18th on 11 counts of rape and sexual assault. He was later jailed for life at the Central Criminal Court.
Griffin's victim was abused by him for eight years from the time she was aged eight. She is Griffin's partner's daughter. This woman rejected her daughter after she made her statement to gardaí, opting instead to stand by Griffin, who is also a major drug dealer, armed robber and gang leader.
A bitter feud had developed with shootings, assaults and grenade attacks as Griffin's faction engaged in tit-for-tat warfare with those associated with the victim's family. The murders associated with the feud were:
r Stephen Ledden (28), was shot in the head at Oriel Street, Dublin on December 27th last. He was shot by mistake by killers targeting another man thought to be behind a feud-related murder two weeks earlier.
r Criminal Gerard Byrne (25), of Ferryman's Crossing, Dublin, was shot dead in the IFSC on December 13th. He was believed to be behind a number of feud-related property attacks.
