Courts / Dublin / Report

Gangland criminal Wilson secretly recorded discussing murder plot

Date
2019-07-15

Stage
Sentence

Primary locality
Crumlin

County
Dublin

Summary

The Special Criminal Court heard sentencing submissions for Alan Wilson and Joseph Kelly, who are accused of conspiring to murder Gary Hanley and possessing a 9mm Beretta pistol with intent to endanger life. Both men pleaded guilty to the conspiracy charge, while Kelly also admitted to the firearm possession. The court heard evidence of secret recordings where Wilson instructed Kelly to kill Hanley, and surveillance of reconnaissance trips to plan the attack. Wilson, who has no prior convictions, expressed remorse in a letter to the court, while Kelly, who has 64 previous convictions, cited drug addiction and a difficult background as mitigating factors. Mr Justice Tony Hunt, presiding with Judges Martin Nolan and Ann Ryan, remanded both defendants in custody until July 29, when they will be sentenced. The matter was adjourned and is not yet concluded. Luke Wilson, Alan Wilson's nephew, was previously sentenced to 11 years for the same firearm charge and a concurrent six years for the conspiracy.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Gangland criminal Wilson secretly recorded discussing murder plot. Charges or matters: possessing a 9mm Beretta semi-automatic pistol with intent to endanger life at Philipsburgh Avenue, Marino, Dublin 3 on November 6, 2017. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

September 15 Incident
November 6 2017 Incident
November 6, 2017 Incident
September 11 Incident
November 6 Incident
September 17 Incident
September 12 Hearing Or Sentence
September 29 Other
November 3 Incident
July 29 Adjournment
2019-07-15 Publication

Why: A number of early morning and evening reconnaissance trips from the south side of the city to the north side had been planned by individuals in order to organise the "best routes" for the attack and escape thereafter, said Det Supt Gallagher, adding that "burn spots" were also identified. CNI source report

Case subjects

Alan Wilson

Defendant

Charges: possessing a 9mm Beretta semi-automatic pistol with intent to endanger life at Philipsburgh Avenue, Marino, Dublin 3 on November 6, 2017 (Alleged Or Contested)

Outcome: Mr Justice Tony Hunt, presiding, sitting with Judge Martin Nolan and Judge Ann Ryan, remanded Wilson and Kelly in custody until July 29, when they will be sentenced. Luke Wilson (23), a nephew of Alan Wilson, from Cremona Road in Ballyfermot, Dublin 10 was sentenced to 11 years in jail last year after pleading guilty to unlawful possession of a Beretta handgun with intent to endanger life at Philipsburgh Avenue, Fairview, Dublin 3 on November 6, 2017.; Mr Justice Tony Hunt, presiding, sitting with Judge Martin Nolan and Judge Ann Ryan, remanded Wilson and Kelly in custody until July 29, when they will be sentenced.

Joseph Kelly

Co Accused

Charges: possessing a 9mm Beretta semi-automatic pistol with intent to endanger life at Philipsburgh Avenue, Marino, Dublin 3 on November 6, 2017 (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: Mr O Lideadha said Kelly was sent to Oberstown detention centre when he was 14 years of age, and while he accepted he was "no angel at 14", his life went into a serious downward spiral after his release from the centre. Mr Justice Tony Hunt, presiding, sitting with Judge Martin Nolan and Judge Ann Ryan, remanded Wilson and Kelly in custody until July 29, when they will be sentenced.; Mr Justice Tony Hunt, presiding, sitting with Judge Martin Nolan and Judge Ann Ryan, remanded Wilson and Kelly in custody until July 29, when they will be sentenced.

Luke Wilson

Defendant

Charges: possessing a 9mm Beretta semi-automatic pistol with intent to endanger life at Philipsburgh Avenue, Marino, Dublin 3 on November 6, 2017 (Alleged Or Contested)