Courts / Dublin / Report

Estonian separatist hitman said he would take out target with "one shot to the head"

Date
2018-11-30

Stage
Sentence

Primary locality
Dublin City

County
Dublin

Summary

Ex-wrestler Imre Arakas, a former Estonian separatist who was 'scarred deeply' by imprisonment in Russia, was remanded in custody until December 12 for sentencing. Arakas admitted to conspiring with others not before the court to murder James Gately in Northern Ireland between April 3rd and April 4th last year, contrary to Section 71 of the Criminal Justice Act 2006. The court heard that Arakas purchased a wig in Dublin and used an encrypted Blackberry phone to receive information about Gately's movements. Gardai began an intelligence-led investigation after receiving confidential information about the targeting of Gately by individuals involved in organised crime. Arakas was placed under surveillance upon his arrival in Dublin on April 3, 2017, and was followed to Blakestown Cottages in Dublin 15, where he was arrested the following day. A Blackberry phone, a piece of paper with Estonian writing and the name 'James Gately…in Newry' in English, a mirror, and cash were found at the scene. The Blackberry phone was encrypted and password protected, and messages were found on it that detailed plans to target Gately. The messages were almost instantly deleted after Arakas' arrest, but a garda managed to photograph the open messages before they were removed. The court heard that Arakas had four previous convictions, including causing deliberate bodily harm, escaping from prison, and unlawful handling of firearms. The matter was adjourned and will be sentenced on December 12.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Estonian separatist hitman said he would take out target with "one shot to the head". Procedural stage: sentence

When:

April 3rd Incident
April 4th Incident
April 3, 2017 Other
April 4 Hearing Or Sentence
March 30, 2017 Hearing Or Sentence
March 28, 2017 Other
October 8 Incident
December 12 Adjournment
2018-11-30 Publication

Why: But especially it is good if the dog is really accurate because if the picture in google is the same that in real life it could be just one shot to the head from the distance and that's it. CNI source report

Case subjects

Ex-wrestler Imre Arakas

Defendant

Outcome: Ex-wrestler Imre Arakas, who the court heard was a former Estonian separatist who been "scarred deeply" by imprisonment in Russia, bought a wig in Dublin city and used an encrypted Blackberry phone to receive information about the movements and location of James Gately in Northern Ireland. Mr Justice Tony Hunt, presiding, sitting with Judge Sinéad Ní Chúlacháin and Judge Cormac Dunne, remanded the defendant in custody until December 12, when he will be sentenced.; Mr Justice Tony Hunt, presiding, sitting with Judge Sinéad Ní Chúlacháin and Judge Cormac Dunne, remanded the defendant in custody until December 12, when he will be sentenced.