Cailean Crawford admits conspiracy to murder Wayne Whelan

This report is a localnews.ie summary based on public court reporting and records; sources are listed below.

Cailean Crawford pleaded guilty to conspiring with others to murder Wayne Whelan at Griffeen Glen Park in Lucan between 15 May and 15 November 2019.

The plea was heard at the Central Criminal Court on 24 May 2021.

Wayne Ryan pleaded guilty to the attempted murder of Whelan at the same location on 4 September 2019. Darren Henderson and one other man also pleaded guilty to conspiracy to murder Whelan.

All four had originally been charged with attempted murder and were due to stand trial on 21 June 2021. The trial date was vacated following their pleas.

On 27 May 2021, Mr Justice Michael White ruled against an application for reporting restrictions on Crawford’s plea. Crawford’s barrister, John Fitzgerald SC, said his client had a trial date in June 2022 in another matter. Justice White remanded the four men in custody until 12 July for a sentence hearing.

Whelan survived the September shooting. He was later shot dead in a vehicle in Lucan on 18 November 2019, before the vehicle was set alight with his remains inside.

This report covers an earlier stage of the case. Later developments are not reported here.