Man Faces Trial for Murder of Council Worker Shot Dead Outside Her Home
A trial is underway as a man is accused of the murder of a council worker who was tragically shot outside her home. Ashley Dale, a 28-year-old woman, lost her life in her back garden in Liverpool’s Old Swan area on August 21 last year.
The accused, Ian Fitzgibbon, was extradited from Spain to the UK and has been charged with Ashley’s murder. At the age of 28, Fitzgibbon appeared in Liverpool Crown Court today, where his case was combined with four other men who are also facing charges for Ashley’s murder.
The trial date has been set for October 2, and Fitzgibbon will be tried alongside Sean Zeisz (27), Niall Barry (26), James Witham (41), and Joseph Peers (28). Fitzgibbon is also facing additional charges, including conspiracy to murder Lee Harrison, possession of a prohibited weapon (sub-machine gun pistol and ammunition) with intent to endanger life, and conspiracy to possess a prohibited weapon (sub-machine gun and ammunition).
During today’s court hearing, no plea was entered. Ashley’s mother and two other relatives were present at the hearing. Fitzgibbon, who was arrested by the Spanish National Police and brought back to the UK, has been remanded into custody.
This heart-wrenching incident occurred only seven years after Ashley’s younger brother, Lewis Dunne, was tragically killed by drug dealers when he was just 16 years old. Notably, he was not the intended target of the shooting.
The unfortunate event also unfolded only 48 hours prior to the shooting death of nine-year-old Olivia Pratt-Korbel at her residence in the city.
Ashley’s grieving family shared their feelings after her passing, stating, “None of this makes sense and our lives will never be the same again. A senseless crime that has torn a family apart.”
Fitzgibbon is among five men who have been charged in connection with Ashley’s tragic murder.