Man found not guilty of attempted murder of love rival’s mother

Robert Lawlor acquitted of threatening ex-partner’s boyfriend and shooting a dog

A father of three has been found not guilty of threatening to murder his former girlfriend’s partner and of attempting to murder his mother

He was also acquitted of possessing a gun and of shooting a dog.

A jury of seven men and five women at the Central Criminal Court took two hours and 40 minutes to find Robert Lawlor (35) not guilty on all five charges against him.

The father of three nodded his head and mouthed, “thank you” in the direction of the jury as the court registrar read out the verdicts one by one.

Mr Justice Paul McDermott thanked the jury for their patience and exempted them from further service for five years.

Mr Lawlor, with an address at the Rise, Laytown, Co Meath had pleaded not guilty to the attempted murder of Fiona Mitchell at Moatview Avenue, Priorswood, Dublin on May 26th, 2018.

He also pleaded not guilty to the charge of possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life at Moatview Avenue, Priorswood, Dublin on the same date.

He pleaded not guilty to making a threat to Rachel Kirwan at Donaghmede, Dublin on a date unknown between January 1st and January 31st, 2018 to kill or cause serious harm to Fiona Mitchell and her son Derek Mitchell.

He also pleaded not guilty to shooting a dog endangering its health and welfare at Moatview Avenue, Priorswood on May 26th, 2018.