Courts / Dublin / Report
Dubliner guilty of conspiring with Kinahan Cartel murder plotters
Summary
The Special Criminal Court has convicted Liam Brannigan (37) of conspiring to murder Gary Hanley between September 15 and November 6, 2017. Brannigan, who pleaded not guilty, was found to be the user of the PB3 phone, which the judge described as central to managing the Kinahan Cartel-linked plot. The court relied on covert audio, phone data, and CCTV showing Brannigan discarding the PB3 phone shortly before his arrest. Four co-accused previously pleaded guilty to the same offence. Luke Wilson (24) and Joseph Kelly (35), who were arrested with a loaded 9mm Beretta, silencer, and ammunition, were jailed for 11 and 12 years respectively; both also admitted weapons charges. Alan Wilson (39) was sentenced to six years. Dean Howe (34) remains to be sentenced on March 3. Brannigan's sentencing is scheduled for February 24. The judge noted the overwhelming evidence connecting Brannigan to the conspiracy, including recorded conversations identifying him as "Branner" and his role in coordinating the operation. The matter is now at the sentencing stage for Brannigan, while Howe's case is adjourned for future sentencing.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Dubliner guilty of conspiring with Kinahan Cartel murder plotters. Charges or matters: the same offence; unlawful possession of a Beretta, was jailed for 11 years; Alan Wilson was given six years and Joseph Kelly, who also admitted a weapons charge, was jailed for 12 years. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- September 15th Other
- November 6th, 2017 Incident
- October 6th, 2017 Other
- March 3 Incident
- February 24 Incident
- 2020-02-03 Publication
Why: This morning, Mr Justice Coffey said it was "overwhelmingly probable" that the object Brannigan threw was the PB3 phone and that he discarded it "because he was the person who used it" to speak with his co-conspirators in the Volkswagen caddy that night. CNI source report
Case subjects
Convicted Person
Charges: unlawful possession of a Beretta, was jailed for 11 years; Alan Wilson was given six years and Joseph Kelly, who also admitted a weapons charge, was jailed for 12 years (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Alan Wilson (39) of New Street Gardens, Dublin 8 have all been jailed. Luke Wilson, who also pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of a Beretta, was jailed for 11 years; Alan Wilson was given six years and Joseph Kelly, who also admitted a weapons charge, was jailed for 12 years.
Convicted Person
Charges: unlawful possession of a Beretta, was jailed for 11 years; Alan Wilson was given six years and Joseph Kelly, who also admitted a weapons charge, was jailed for 12 years (Alleged Or Contested)
Outcome: Dean Howe (34) of Oakfield, Dublin 8, will be sentenced on March 3. Luke Wilson, who also pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of a Beretta, was jailed for 11 years; Alan Wilson was given six years and Joseph Kelly, who also admitted a weapons charge, was jailed for 12 years.
Defendant
Charges: unlawful possession of a Beretta, was jailed for 11 years; Alan Wilson was given six years and Joseph Kelly, who also admitted a weapons charge, was jailed for 12 years (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Mr Gillane argued: "If the court were to conclude that Mr Brannigan is not Mr PB3, he would not just be a stranger to luck, he would be the unluckiest man to walk the Earth in the context of the evidence connecting him to this conspiracy." Luke Wilson, Joseph Kelly and Alan Wilson (39) of New Street Gardens, Dublin 8 have all been jailed. Luke Wilson, who also pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of a Beretta, was jailed for 11 years; Alan Wilson was given six years and Joseph Kelly, who also admitted a weapons charge, was jailed for 12 years.
Convicted Person
Charges: the same offence; unlawful possession of a Beretta, was jailed for 11 years; Alan Wilson was given six years and Joseph Kelly, who also admitted a weapons charge, was jailed for 12 years (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Convicted Person
Charges: the same offence; unlawful possession of a Beretta, was jailed for 11 years; Alan Wilson was given six years and Joseph Kelly, who also admitted a weapons charge, was jailed for 12 years (Alleged Or Contested)
Plea: Not guilty
Outcome: Mr Gillane argued: "If the court were to conclude that Mr Brannigan is not Mr PB3, he would not just be a stranger to luck, he would be the unluckiest man to walk the Earth in the context of the evidence connecting him to this conspiracy." Luke Wilson, Joseph Kelly and Alan Wilson (39) of New Street Gardens, Dublin 8 have all been jailed. Brannigan will be sentenced on February 24.
Defendant
Charges: the same offence; unlawful possession of a Beretta, was jailed for 11 years; Alan Wilson was given six years and Joseph Kelly, who also admitted a weapons charge, was jailed for 12 years (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Mr Gillane argued: "If the court were to conclude that Mr Brannigan is not Mr PB3, he would not just be a stranger to luck, he would be the unluckiest man to walk the Earth in the context of the evidence connecting him to this conspiracy." Luke Wilson, Joseph Kelly and Alan Wilson (39) of New Street Gardens, Dublin 8 have all been jailed. Luke Wilson, who also pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of a Beretta, was jailed for 11 years; Alan Wilson was given six years and Joseph Kelly, who also admitted a weapons charge, was jailed for 12 years.
Places mentioned
- The Special Criminal Court
- Dublin
- Philipsburgh Avenue
- Hanover Lane
- Francis Street
Topics
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