Courts / Kildare / Report
Sentences totalling 20 years for pair who helped criminals murder Vinnie Ryan
Summary
Jeffrey Morrow and Paul O'Beirne were sentenced at the Central Criminal Court for facilitating a serious offence in connection with the murder of Vincent Ryan. Both men initially pleaded not guilty to murder, but following legal argument, the murder charge was dropped, and they pleaded guilty to facilitating a serious offence contrary to Section 72 of the Criminal Justice Act, 2006. The court found that they provided and destroyed a stolen Volkswagen Golf used by gunmen in the drive-by shooting that killed Mr Ryan outside his partner's home in 2016. Mr Justice Michael White noted that while not sentencing for murder, the proximity to the callous crime was a serious aggravating factor. He highlighted Morrow's extensive criminal history, including conspiracy to rob a cash-in-transit van, and O'Beirne's prior convictions. Considering their guilty pleas as a mitigating factor, the judge reduced headline sentences of 14 years for Morrow and 11 years for O'Beirne to final sentences of 11 years and nine years, respectively. Both sentences were backdated to reflect time already spent in custody. The judge formally struck out the murder charges. Outside court, Mr Ryan's partner, Kelly Smyth, expressed relief that the matter was concluded, stating she wished to move forward with her life.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Sentences totalling 20 years for pair who helped criminals murder Vinnie Ryan. Charges or matters: Mr Ryan's murder; facilitating a serious offence contrary to Section 72 of the Criminal Justice Act, 2006. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- February 29, 2016 Other
- June 24 Incident
- February 19, 2016 Other
- October 2015 Other
- 2019-08-01 Publication
Why: " In a message to those involved in the shooting she said: "You have gained nothing because you never knew Vincent and he never knew you. CNI source report
Case subjects
Convicted Person
Charges: Mr Ryan's murder; facilitating a serious offence contrary to Section 72 of the Criminal Justice Act, 2006 (Alleged Or Contested)
Plea: Not guilty
Outcome: Jeffrey Morrow received the longer sentence of eleven years after Mr Justice Michael White detailed his history of crimes, including conspiracy to rob a cash-in-transit van carrying €1million. Mr Ryan's daughter was only five weeks old and will never see her father again." Due to the extra aggravating factor, he set a headline sentence of 14 years for Morrow and 11 years for O'Beirne.
Convicted Person
Outcome: Credit: Collins) Two men have been sentenced to a total of 20 years for helping a criminal gang to murder Vinnie Ryan, a brother of slain Real IRA leader Alan Ryan.
Convicted Person
Charges: Mr Ryan's murder; facilitating a serious offence contrary to Section 72 of the Criminal Justice Act, 2006 (Alleged Or Contested)
Plea: Not guilty
Outcome: Paul O'Beirne was sentenced to nine years, with Mr Justice White saying he finds it difficult to understand why a man with no history of criminal activity got involved in such a serious crime. Mr Ryan's daughter was only five weeks old and will never see her father again." Due to the extra aggravating factor, he set a headline sentence of 14 years for Morrow and 11 years for O'Beirne.
Places mentioned
Topics
Stage Sentence Theft Violent Crime
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