Cousin of murder victim says killing was 'wake-up call'

David Fetherston (25) got into many scrapes with his cousin Joseph Redmond, also 25, who was killed along with another man, Anthony Burnett (31), in early March.

Gardai believe that Redmond, of Ballybough House in Ballybough, and Burnett, of Croke Villas, Dublin 3 were both shot in the head and their black Volkswagen Golf set ablaze at Ravensdale Woods in Co Louth.

Trouble

Fetherston told Swords District Court that he and his cousin were close and that he had taken his death badly.

Defence lawyer Patrick Jackson said the pair grew up together and often got into trouble together.

The defendant, of Moatview Court in Priorswood, admitted to public drunkenness and threatening and abusive behaviour at St Patrick's Park in Portrane. Similar charges against Redmond were struck out after the court heard he is deceased.

Judge Dermot Dempsey ordered Fetherston to complete 80 hours' community service in lieu of three months in prison.

Garda Conor Tumbleton said he was on patrol around 5pm when he spotted a red Renault Scenic on the Portrane Road.

Garda Tumbleton said there were a number of men in the vehicle. He said Fetherston got out of the car, he was very drunk and had a drink in his hand. The garda asked him what he was doing, and Fetherston told him to "f*** off".

The court heard the defendant has 100 previous convictions, mostly for road traffic and drugs-related matters and is an unemployed dad of three.

Mr Jackson said Fetherston's cousin was in the car with him and both were arrested.

Mr Jackson said Redmond was now seeing a counsellor and his cousin's death had been a wake-up call for a man who has been in and out of the courts system his whole life.

Judge Dempsey ordered a community services report to confirm that Fetherston was suitable to complete 80 hours community service.

hnews@herald.ie