Courts / Kildare / Report

Son guilty of impeding prosecution of chainsaw-murderer father

Date
2019-11-22

Stage
Sentence

Primary locality
Kildare

County
Kildare

Summary

Paul Wells Junior (33) was found guilty at the Central Criminal Court of impeding the prosecution of his father, Paul Wells Senior (51), by disposing of a blood-stained chainsaw. The court heard the weapon had a piece of "brown meat" embedded in its motor. Wells Junior had pleaded not guilty to disposing of the chainsaw motor between January 19 and 20, 2016, in Co Kildare, and not guilty to disposing of the blade and chain on January 20, 2016. A jury returned a unanimous guilty verdict on both counts after three hours and 55 minutes of deliberation. The judge directed a probation report and remanded Wells Junior on continuing bail until February 10, when his sentence hearing will take place. This follows the life sentence handed to Wells Senior last year for the murder of Kenneth O'Brien at his home in Finglas on January 15 or 16, 2016. Ms Justice Carmel Stewart extended sympathies to the O'Brien family, noting they had to listen to harrowing details again during this second trial. The matter was adjourned for sentencing.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Son guilty of impeding prosecution of chainsaw-murderer father. Charges or matters: impeding the apprehension or prosecution of his father Paul Wells Senior (51) by disposing of a blood-stained chainsaw, which the Central Criminal Court heard had a piece of "brown meat" embedded in its motor; 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:

January 16 Hearing Or Sentence
January 19 Incident
January 20, 2016 Other
February 10 Adjournment
January 15 Hearing Or Sentence
December 17, 2015 Hearing Or Sentence
January 17 Other
January 20 Hearing Or Sentence
January 24 Hearing Or Sentence
February 5, 2016 Incident
January 22 Other
2019-11-22 Publication

Why: Mr Bowman maintained the prosecution had proven that Mr Wells Jnr disposed of the chainsaw, its motor and blade because he knew Wells Snr had used it to murder Mr O'Brien. Prosecution account reported by CNI

Case subjects

Kenneth O'Brien

Convicted Person

Charges: impeding the apprehension or prosecution of his father Paul Wells Senior (51) by disposing of a blood-stained chainsaw, which the Central Criminal Court heard had a piece of "brown meat" embedded in its motor; 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)

Outcome: The judge directed a probation report and remanded Wells Jnr on continuing bail until February 10, when his sentence hearing will take place.

Paul Wells Junior

Convicted Person

Outcome: The judge directed a probation report and remanded Wells Jnr on continuing bail until February 10, when his sentence hearing will take place.

Wells Senior

Convicted Person

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