The Special Criminal Court heard evidence on 21 June 2021 regarding David Duffy, aged 34, from Convoy, County Donegal, who pleaded guilty in April to knowledge of a criminal organisation and participation in activities connected with the murder of James Gately between December 2016 and April 2017. Detective Garda Tony Kennedy told the three-judge court that the Kinahan cartel believed Gately was involved in the Regency Hotel shooting in February 2016, in which gang member David Byrne was killed. This belief motivated the conspiracy to murder Gately. The garda outlined that Duffy provided logistical support to the plot, including moving vehicles and purchasing tracker devices under instructions from others. An Estonian national, Imre Arakas, was brought to Ireland to carry out the murder but was arrested before the attack. A subsequent murder attempt by another man left Gately shot five times but alive. Duffy's defence counsel highlighted his early guilty plea, underlying substance abuse issues, and rehabilitation efforts whilst in custody. Sentencing was adjourned until 30 July 2021.
Source links
Original report plus public source leads and related archive reports used for review context.
Public source leads
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James ‘ Mago ’ Gately disqualified for drug-driving a day after Cab ...
irishtimes.com
Apr 2, 2025 · James “Mago” Gately, a member of the Hutch organised crime group, has been disqualified from driving after being convicted of driving under the influence...
- Criminals believed James Gately ‘involved in’ Regency Hotel attack, court told - The Irish Times The Irish Times · Mon, 21 Jun 2021 07:00:00 GMT
- Hitman who shot Kinahan Cartel target James ‘Mago’ Gately five times is found guilty of attempted murder - Irish Independent Irish Independent · Tue, 05 Jan 2021 08:00:00 GMT
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How garda and Interpol patience led to the capture of Kinahan …
independent.ie
May 14, 2026 · Senior Kinahan cartel figure Sean McGovern was the target of an intelligence gathering operation tracking his movements and activities in Dubai for...
- Hitman found guilty of shooting James 'Mago' Gately faces up to life in prison, court hears - The Journal The Journal · Mon, 25 Jan 2021 08:00:00 GMT
- Hitman found guilty of attempted murder of Kinahan cartel target - The Journal The Journal · Tue, 05 Jan 2021 08:00:00 GMT
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Daniel Kinahan likely to be held in high-security wing of Portlaoise ...
irishtimes.com
May 1, 2026 · Daniel Kinahan, the leader of the Kinahan cartel, is expected to be held in the State’s maximum security facility in Portlaoise following any extradition...
- Hitman convicted of attempted murder of James ‘Mago’ Gately faces up to life in prison - Irish Independent Irish Independent · Mon, 25 Jan 2021 08:00:00 GMT
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