Hardened criminals “with a fearsome reputation” sought to intimidate witnesses after gardaí began a cold case review of the killing of a man following an altercation with a motorist in Tallaght over seven years ago, an inquest has heard.
A garda told a sitting of Dublin District Coroner’s Court that individuals identified as “persons of interest” by local residents had reappeared in the area last year after gardaí started to carry out fresh interviews of people living near the fatal scene.
Stephen Lynch (31), from Round Gardens Apartments, Saggart, Co Dublin, suffered catastrophic head injuries after he was struck by a silver Ford Focus and dragged along a road by the vehicle following an altercation with its occupants.
The father of three, who came originally from the Glenshane estate in Tallaght, was pronounced dead at the scene of the incident which occurred at Brookview Close, Tallaght shortly before 7pm on April 13th, 2017.
Garda Christina Lawless gave evidence that the deceased and two friends had driven into the area and shortly afterwards Mr Lynch was seen speaking to unknown persons in the Ford Focus.
The inquest heard that gardaí were told that the vehicle reversed before knocking Mr Lynch to the ground and dragging him along the road.
Garda Lawless said the driver and the occupant fled the scene.
She said they were confronted by other residents at the junction of Brookview Park and Brookview Avenue but escaped in a wine Volkswagen Polo which was later found abandoned on Benmadigan Road in Drimnagh.
Garda Lawless said CCTV footage from the area had not captured the fatal incident while an image of the driver was not sufficient to establish their identity beyond reasonable doubt.
She told the coroner, Cróna Gallagher, that a number of people were arrested but all replied “no comment” when questioned.
The inquest heard that the original investigation led gardaí to believe they had circumstantial evidence sufficient to sustain a charge of murder.
However, the DPP directed there was insufficient evidence to prove the driver had deliberately driven at and killed Mr Lynch.
The DPP explained that there was no positive identity of the driver and it was difficult to prove that his death was a deliberate act as opposed to being killed as a result of dangerous or reckless driving.
Garda Lawless said a cold case review of Mr Lynch’s death was established in July 2021 which led to a fresh Garda investigation in February 2023.
She said gardaí obtained statements from witnesses that had not been provided to the original investigation team.
However, Garda Lawless said she believed a lack of cooperation experienced from witnesses by the review team was “founded in fear of what may occur if they did assist gardaí.”
“Local intelligence would suggest they have a fearsome reputation and are hardened criminals. Residents know what they are capable of,” she added.
Garda Lawless noted that such individuals reappeared in the area after Gardaí started visiting local residents as part of the cold case review following a period where their absence had been conspicuous.
“It is not hard to believe that this return was a way of reminding people that they were still around,” she observed.
The inquest heard many people approached by gardaí declined to have any involvement in the investigation.
However, Garda Lawless said they obtained new evidence from a man living in the area who provided descriptions of the occupants of a red Volkswagen whom he had confronted after their vehicle had sideswiped his car as he drove into Brookview Avenue.
Gardaí also obtained a statement from a juvenile at the time of the fatal incident who was able to provide descriptions about those involved.
Garda Lawless said DNA from a watch found at the scene had contained samples of three individuals that was not suitable for evidence.
It was also established that the Ford Focus provided no good evidence as it had multiple users.
The inquest heard one person was arrested as part of the cold case review but made no comment when questioned.
The coroner was informed that both gardaí and the DPP agreed following the fresh investigation that there was insufficient evidence to sustain a charge of murder.
At the outset of the hearing, the deceased’s mother, Vera Lynch, who sat with a large framed portrait of her son at the inquest, gave evidence of formally identifying his body to gardaí.
In a written statement, Garda Cian Stears, who was one of the first gardaí on the scene, said he saw a male lying on the ground next to the Ford Focus.
Garda Stears said paramedics had taken a decision to cease treatment on the injured man because his catastrophic injuries were incompatible with life.
He said he was informed that the victim had been struck intentionally by the vehicle.
Mr Lynch was formally pronounced dead at the scene at 9.17pm.
Former deputy state pathologist, Michael Curtis, who carried out a postmortem on the victim, said death was due to a head injury from a road traffic collision.
Dr Curtis said Mr Lynch had suffered an open fracture of his skull, with multiple fractures of his jaw, while blood was also coming from both his ears.
The pathologist said grease marks on the front of the deceased’s trunk and lacerations on his back were consistent with his body having come in contact with the underside of the vehicle and the road surface.
Dr Curtis said Mr Lynch had also three fractures to his right leg, one of which indicated he was standing when struck by the vehicle.
Toxicology results showed the deceased had consumed alcohol which would have left him with what Dr Curtis said would be “at least a moderate degree of intoxication.”
There were also positive tests that Mr Lynch had consumed cannabis and cocaine.
In reply to questions from the coroner, Dr Curtis said the alcohol and drugs were not directly linked to the victim’s death.
A retired forensic collision investigator, Garda Edward Davin, calculated that the victim had been dragged for 16 metres under the vehicle before it came to a stop.
Garda Davin said it was likely that Mr Lynch had been struck at low speed but it was apparent he had become trapped underneath the car.
He told the inquest that it appeared the victim had been standing in front of the vehicle in line with the driver’s seat when contact was made before the car was steered to the right.
Garda Davin said he found no marks on the road to indicate there had been any harsh acceleration or emergency braking by the vehicle.
Asked if the driver might possibly have been unaware that someone was under the car, Garda Davin replied: “There is no way they would not have been aware.”
Garda David O’Brien, a vehicle inspector, gave evidence that there were no mechanical defects with the Ford Focus that would have prevented its driver from stopping the vehicle.
Garda O’Brien said the vehicle also had a crack on its bumper which he believed was caused by the impact with the deceased.
A short round of applause broke out after a jury of four women and three men returned a verdict of unlawful killing while Ms Lynch and several other family members broke down in tears.
Following the hearing, Ms Lynch said she was delighted with the verdict “after seven-and-a-half very long, painful years.”
“Hopefully this is the first step towards justice for Stephen,” she added.
Asked what she might have to say to potential witnesses who had declined to assist gardaí with the investigation into her son’s death, Ms Lynch replied: “You are all cowards. May it never land on your door.”
