Courts / Dublin / Report
Suggestion of unreliability "disgusting", garda tells barrister
Summary
In the Special Criminal Court, a surveillance garda told a barrister that it was "disgusting" to suggest their evidence was unreliable. The case concerns Liam Brannigan (37) of Bride Street, Dublin 8, charged with conspiracy to murder Gary Hanley between 15 September and 6 November 2017. Brannigan pleaded not guilty. The court heard that Brannigan was arrested minutes after a loaded semi‑automatic pistol was seized during the arrest of two men near Hanley's home on 6 November 2017. Twenty surveillance officers gave evidence about observations of Brannigan and three men who had pleaded guilty to the plot and were jailed – Luke Wilson (24), Joseph Kelly (35) and Alan Wilson (39). The garda testified that on 6 October 2017 he saw Brannigan in the front passenger seat of a black Renault Laguna, but the barrister questioned the reliability of the identification and the absence of notes.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Suggestion of unreliability "disgusting", garda tells barrister. Charges or matters: conspiring to murder Gary Hanley at a location within the State between September 15th and November 6th, 2017; the plot to kill Mr Hanley and been jailed – Luke Wilson, Joseph Kelly and Alan Wilson; 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 Incident
- November 6th, 2017 Incident
- October 6th, 2017 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2019-11-12 Publication
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.
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.
Accused
Charges: conspiring to murder Gary Hanley at a location within the State between September 15th and November 6th, 2017; the plot to kill Mr Hanley and been jailed – Luke Wilson, Joseph Kelly and Alan Wilson; 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
Outcome: Today, the Special Criminal Court heard further evidence from several members of the National Surveillance Unit about observations they made in respect of several individuals including Mr Brannigan and three men who have already pleaded guilty to the plot to kill Mr Hanley and been jailed – Luke Wilson, Joseph Kelly and Alan Wilson. He said Garda EN had written in their statement that they could "clearly see the vehicle had two occupants", followed by a new sentence stating "[man who is not before the court] was driving and his passenger was Liam Brannigan".
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.
Places mentioned
- Hanover Lane
- Dublin
- Philipsburgh Avenue
- Special Criminal Court
- Fairview Avenue
Topics
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