Hitman to be sentenced for trying to murder 'Mago' Gately

A man convicted of attempting to murder a known organised crime figure has been remanded in custody pending sentencing by the Special Criminal Court. Caolan Smyth, aged 29 from County Meath, was found guilty on January 5th of shooting James Gately five times as the latter sat in his vehicle at a filling station on Clonshaugh Road in north Dublin during May 2017. Despite sustaining injuries to his chest and neck, Mr Gately survived the attack. The three-judge court determined beyond reasonable doubt that Smyth discharged the firearm in what prosecutors characterised as an organised murder attempt. A separate conviction for firearms possession with intent to endanger was also recorded against Smyth. Gary McAreavey, aged 53 from County Louth, was separately convicted of assisting in the destruction of the black Lexus getaway vehicle used in the shooting. That vehicle was subsequently burned out at Dromiskin in County Louth approximately one hour after the incident. The prosecution's case relied substantially on mobile phone location data, CCTV footage identifying Smyth through distinctive tattoos and clothing, and surveillance evidence documenting reconnaissance activity at Mr Gately's residence the day preceding the shooting. Both convicts were remanded in custody on January 25th, with sentencing scheduled for February 17th. Smyth faces a maximum sentence of life imprisonment on the attempted murder conviction, whilst McAreavey faces a maximum of ten years imprisonment. The case was heard before Mr Justice Tony Hunt and two additional judges of the Special Criminal Court.