Courts / Dublin / Report

Tracking device found under "Duck Egg's" car, trial hears

Date
2018-10-04
Stage
Trial
Primary locality
Dublin
County
Dublin

Summary

The trial of Jason Keating, 27, of Rush, Co Dublin, continued before a three-judge court presided over by Mr Justice Tony Hunt. Keating has pleaded not guilty to the alleged murder of Noel 'Duck Egg' Kirwan, who was shot six times outside his Clondalkin home in December 2016. Prosecution evidence focused on a 'Gotek 7' electronic tracking device found under Mr Kirwan's car the day after the shooting. Sergeant Damien Gannon testified that the device was attached to the undercarriage with strong magnets. James Kennedy, a Garda telecommunications analyst, explained that the device uses GPS to upload location data to a web server and can send movement alerts to saved mobile numbers. Although the device contained a SIM card from Holland, Kennedy stated he could not decode the internal information and did not retrieve location data from the device's memory. He noted that such trackers are also used for legitimate purposes, such as taxi fleets. In his opening address, prosecution counsel Paul Greene SC alleged the murder arose from a feud between criminal factions, though Mr Kirwan had no connection to either side. The matter is ongoing, with the trial continuing before the court.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Tracking device found under "Duck Egg's" car, trial hears. Charges or matters: the murder of Mr Kirwan. Procedural stage: trial

When:

Why: He had to get a "log-on" identification in the form of an "internet link", the court heard, in order to download the online movements of the tracking device. Court evidence reported by CNI

Case subjects

Jason Keating

Defendant

Charges: the murder of Mr Kirwan (Alleged Or Contested)

Plea: Not guilty

Places mentioned

Secondary Mention
Address Area
  • St Ronan's Drive
Residence

Topics

Stage Trial Violent Crime

Related court reports

Read the original CNI report

Correction or retraction request

If a fact, identity, locality or legal outcome needs review, email the newsroom with this report's details prefilled.

Email a correction request