Courts / Dublin / Report
Mobile phones excluded from evidence in murder plot trial
Summary
In the Special Criminal Court, two mobile phones were excluded from evidence in the ongoing trial of Liam Brannigan, who is charged with conspiring to murder Gary Hanley between September 15th and November 6th, 2017. Mr Brannigan has pleaded not guilty. Mr Justice Paul Coffey ruled that the phones taken from Mr Brannigan's pockets upon his arrest must be excluded due to an "irreconcilable conflict of evidence" regarding which garda searched him. The court rejected applications to exclude a third phone found in a car park and a fourth 085 phone located in church grounds. The 085 number was deemed significant by gardai based on information from three co-accused: Luke Wilson, Joseph Kelly, and Alan Wilson. These three men have already pleaded guilty to conspiring to murder Mr Hanley and were sentenced. Luke Wilson, who also admitted to unlawful possession of a Beretta handgun with intent to endanger life, was jailed for 11 years. Alan Wilson received a six-year sentence, while Joseph Kelly, who also admitted a weapons charge, was jailed for a total of 12 years. The current trial continues with surveillance evidence presented, including CCTV footage and witness testimony identifying Mr Brannigan in a vehicle and at a petrol station on the day of the alleged conspiracy.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Mobile phones excluded from evidence in murder plot trial. Charges or matters: conspiring to murder Gary Hanley at a location within the State between September 15th and November 6th, 2017; conspiring to murder Mr Hanley and who have been jailed – led gardai to believe that the 085 number was significant; unlawful possession of a Beretta handgun with intent to endanger life, was jailed for 11 years; Alan Wilson was given six years and Joseph Kelly, who also admitted a weapons charge, was jailed for a total of 12 years. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- September 15th Hearing Or Sentence
- November 6th, 2017 Incident
- November 8th, 2017 Hearing Or Sentence
- October 26th, 2017 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2019-11-06 Publication
Why: Two mobile phones at the centre of a conspiracy to murder trial in the Special Criminal Court have been excluded from evidence because of "contradictory" testimony from two gardai. CNI source report
Case subjects
Convicted Person
Charges: unlawful possession of a Beretta handgun with intent to endanger life, was jailed for 11 years; Alan Wilson was given six years and Joseph Kelly, who also admitted a weapons charge, was jailed for a total of 12 years (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Luke Wilson, who also pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of a Beretta handgun with intent to endanger life, was jailed for 11 years; Alan Wilson was given six years and Joseph Kelly, who also admitted a weapons charge, was jailed for a total of 12 years.
Defendant
Charges: unlawful possession of a Beretta handgun with intent to endanger life, was jailed for 11 years; Alan Wilson was given six years and Joseph Kelly, who also admitted a weapons charge, was jailed for a total of 12 years (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Luke Wilson, who also pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of a Beretta handgun with intent to endanger life, was jailed for 11 years; Alan Wilson was given six years and Joseph Kelly, who also admitted a weapons charge, was jailed for a total of 12 years.
Accused
Charges: conspiring to murder Gary Hanley at a location within the State between September 15th and November 6th, 2017; conspiring to murder Mr Hanley and who have been jailed – led gardai to believe that the 085 number was significant; unlawful possession of a Beretta handgun with intent to endanger life, was jailed for 11 years; Alan Wilson was given six years and Joseph Kelly, who also admitted a weapons charge, was jailed for a total of 12 years (Alleged Or Contested)
Plea: Not guilty
Convicted Person
Charges: conspiring to murder Mr Hanley and who have been jailed – led gardai to believe that the 085 number was significant; unlawful possession of a Beretta handgun with intent to endanger life, was jailed for 11 years; Alan Wilson was given six years and Joseph Kelly, who also admitted a weapons charge, was jailed for a total of 12 years (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Luke Wilson, Joseph Kelly and Alan Wilson – who have all already pleaded guilty to conspiring to murder Mr Hanley and who have been jailed – led gardai to believe that the 085 number was significant. Luke Wilson, who also pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of a Beretta handgun with intent to endanger life, was jailed for 11 years; Alan Wilson was given six years and Joseph Kelly, who also admitted a weapons charge, was jailed for a total of 12 years.
Places mentioned
- Special Criminal Court
- Hanover Lane
- Francis Street
- Parnell Road
- Crumlin Road
- Conyngham Road
- Dublin
- Oscar Square
- Dublin
- Philipsburgh Avenue
Topics
Related court reports
- Man charged with having 56k child abuse images and videos remanded on bail
- Ex-Dáil hopeful's allegations against former employer 'complete fantasy', WRC told
- Mater must pay €10k to worker who said he was wrongly accused of abusing patient
- 'I think we know I won't be getting bail' - Daniel Kinahan charged with directing criminal organisation
- Letting agent who claimed alleged domestic violence victim abandoned tenancy by fleeing to refuge must pay €14.7k
- 77-year-old with 470 convictions told Luas staff to 'f**k off'
If a fact, identity, locality or legal outcome needs review, email the newsroom with this report's details prefilled.
Email a correction request