Courts / Cork / Report
"Easily led" teen walks with suspended sentence over killing of Aidan "The Beast" O'Driscoll
Summary
In the Special Criminal Court, Eoin Morrissey (20) was sentenced for two counts of impeding the apprehension or prosecution of the killers of Aidan O'Driscoll. Having pleaded guilty, Morrissey received two two-year suspended sentences on each count. Mr Justice Hunt, sitting with Judges Gerard Griffin and Ann Ryan, cited Morrissey's age, positive probation report, progress since 2016, and willingness to perform community service as mitigating factors. The court ordered him to enter a €100 bond. The judge warned that this was a unique opportunity and that further offending would likely result in custody. Earlier in April, co-accused Colin Casey (32) and Daniel Hegarty (24) were convicted on four counts of impeding the apprehension or prosecution of O'Driscoll's killers. Both pleaded guilty. Casey was sentenced to four years and six months in prison, while Hegarty was jailed for four years. The court noted that Casey and Hegarty provided substantial assistance, including burning vehicles and burying evidence, whereas Morrissey's involvement was less proximate, limited to providing a fire-lighter and transport after the events. The State acknowledged it could not prove the defendants knew a murder was planned. O'Driscoll, a Real IRA figure, was shot in Cork in December 2016.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: "Easily led" teen walks with suspended sentence over killing of Aidan "The Beast" O'Driscoll. Charges or matters: two counts of impeding the apprehension or prosecution of Mr O'Driscoll's killers; four counts of impeding the apprehension or prosecution of the killers of Mr O'Driscoll in Cork. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- December 7, 2016 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2019-11-18 Publication
Why: The judge told him: "Take it because you're not going to get another one. CNI source report
Case subjects
Convicted Person
Charges: four counts of impeding the apprehension or prosecution of the killers of Mr O'Driscoll in Cork (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Colin Casey (32) was sentenced to four years and six months in prison while his co-accused Daniel Hegarty (24) was jailed for four years.
Convicted Person
Charges: four counts of impeding the apprehension or prosecution of the killers of Mr O'Driscoll in Cork (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Daniel Hegarty (24) was jailed for four years.
Defendant
Charges: two counts of impeding the apprehension or prosecution of Mr O'Driscoll's killers; four counts of impeding the apprehension or prosecution of the killers of Mr O'Driscoll in Cork (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Today in the Special Criminal Court, Mr Justice Hunt, sitting with Judge Gerard Griffin and Judge Ann Ryan, said that due to Morrissey's age, his positive probation report, his progress since 2016 and his subsequent plea of guilty, they were handing down two two-year suspended sentences on each count. He noted that Morrissey indicated that he was willing to carry out community service.
Places mentioned
- Old Commons Road
- Special Criminal Court
- Redemption Road
Topics
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