Courts / Kildare / Report

Accused thought he would be shot by father who murdered and dismembered Kenneth O'Brien

Date
2019-11-06

Stage
Sentence

Primary locality
Kildare

County
Kildare

Summary

The Central Criminal Court trial of Paul Wells Junior (33) continues, with the validated procedural stage identified as sentence. Wells Junior, of Beatty Park, Celbridge, Co Kildare, has pleaded not guilty to charges alleging he impeded the apprehension or prosecution of his father, Paul Wells Senior (51), and disposed of a chainsaw motor and blade in Co Kildare between January 19 and 20, 2016. The prosecution alleges Wells Junior dumped these items knowing his father had taken a life. Paul Wells Senior was previously convicted of murdering Kenneth O'Brien (33) at his home in Finglas on January 15 or 16, 2016, and was jailed for life last year. Wells Senior admitted dismembering the victim and dumping the body in the Grand Canal. Detective Sergeant Gerard Moore testified that the chainsaw motor was found at Pike Bridge, Maynooth, while the blade and chain were recovered at the Curragh. Wells Junior told gardai he feared being shot by his father during a drive on January 16, after which he heard splashes near the canal. The court heard that Wells Senior was a known IRA member with prior firearms convictions. The matter remains at the sentence stage.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Accused thought he would be shot by father who murdered and dismembered Kenneth O'Brien. Charges or matters: impeding the apprehension or prosecution of his father Paul Wells Senior (51) nearly four years ago; disposing of a chainsaw motor at a time unknown between January 19 and 20, 2016 in Co Kildare to disposing of a chainsaw blade and chain on January 20, 2016 in the same location. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

January 19 Other
January 20, 2016 Other
January 15 Other
January 16 Hearing Or Sentence
January 22 Other
January 24 Other
February 5 Other
2019-11-06 Publication

Case subjects

Kenneth O'Brien

Accused

Charges: impeding the apprehension or prosecution of his father Paul Wells Senior (51) nearly four years ago; disposing of a chainsaw motor at a time unknown between January 19 and 20, 2016 in Co Kildare to disposing of a chainsaw blade and chain on January 20, 2016 in the same location (Alleged Or Contested)

Paul Wells Junior

Accused

Paul Wells Senior

Convicted Person

Charges: disposing of a chainsaw motor at a time unknown between January 19 and 20, 2016 in Co Kildare to disposing of a chainsaw blade and chain on January 20, 2016 in the same location (Alleged Or Contested)

Outcome: Paul Wells Senior was jailed for life last year having been found guilty of murdering Kenneth O'Brien (33) at his home in Finglas on January 15 or 16, 2016.