Courts / Kildare / Report

Body-in-canal accused thought chainsaw had "dog meat" on it

Date
2019-11-11
Stage
Sentence
Primary locality
Celbridge
County
Kildare

Summary

In a trial at the Central Criminal Court, Paul Wells Junior, aged 33, pleaded not guilty to disposing of a chainsaw motor and blade in County Kildare in January 2016. He claimed he was unaware the chainsaw had been used to dismember Kenneth O'Brien, whose body was found in a suitcase on the Grand Canal. Wells Junior said he had thrown the chainsaw into the canal to avoid hindering the investigation, believing it was stained with what he thought was dog meat. He also stated he had spoken voluntarily to GardaĆ­ to help the O'Brien family seek justice. The court heard that O'Brien died from a gunshot wound to the head, and that his dismembered remains were found in a suitcase. Paul Wells Senior, aged 51, was jailed for life for O'Brien's murder. The trial continues before Justice Carmel Stewart and a jury of twelve.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Body-in-canal accused thought chainsaw had "dog meat" on it. 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 and not guilty to disposing of a chainsaw blade and chain on January 20, 2016 in the same location. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

Why: The murderer's son said he was giving a voluntary statement to gardai because he wanted the O'Brien family to get justice and it was "barbaric" they would have to bury him in pieces. CNI source report

Case subjects

Paul Wells Junior

Convicted Person

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 and not guilty to disposing of a chainsaw blade and chain on January 20, 2016 in the same location (Alleged Or Contested)

Plea: Not guilty

Outcome: Paul Wells Senior, of Barnamore Park, Finglas in Dublin 11 was jailed for life last year having been found guilty of murdering Kenneth O'Brien at his home in Finglas on January 15 or 16, 2016.

Paul Wells Senior

Convicted Person

Outcome: Paul Wells Senior, of Barnamore Park, Finglas in Dublin 11 was jailed for life last year having been found guilty of murdering Kenneth O'Brien at his home in Finglas on January 15 or 16, 2016.

Places mentioned

Court Venue
  • The Central Criminal Court
Garda Station
  • meet him at Leixlip Garda Station
  • Leixlip
  • he was in the garda station
  • was troubled in the garda station
Facility
  • Carton House
Residence

Topics

Stage Sentence Violent Crime

Related court reports

Read the original CNI report

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