Courts / Kildare / Report

Son who dumped murder chainsaw for father is jailed

Date
2020-02-17

Stage
Sentence

Primary locality
Kildare

County
Kildare

Summary

A man who disposed of the chainsaw used to dismember the body of Kenneth O'Brien and impeded the prosecution of his father, who carried out the murder and dumped the victim's body parts in the Grand Canal, has been jailed for 18 months. Paul Wells Junior (33), of Beatty Park, Celbrudge, Co Kildare, was found guilty last November of disposing of a blood-stained chainsaw used to dismember the body of Mr O'Brien. He had denied disposing of the chainsaw motor at a time unknown between January 19 and 20, 2016 in Co Kildare, and had also pleaded not guilty to disposing of a chainsaw blade and chain on January 20, 2016 in the same location. His father, Paul Wells Senior (51), of Barnamore Park, Finglas in Dublin 11, was jailed for life in 2018 having been found guilty of murdering Mr O'Brien at his home in Finglas on January 15 or 16, 2016. Wells Snr admitted to shooting Mr O'Brien in his back garden, dismembering his body, and dumping it in a suitcase in the Grand Canal. At his own trial, Wells Snr argued that he had acted in self defence when he shot Mr O'Brien. The court heard that Wells Jnr had a 'difficult history' with his father and a credible threat had been placed upon his life by his father. Wells Jnr was sentenced to three years in prison with the last 18 months suspended on condition he keep the peace for that period of time. The judge said she had given 'great consideration' to handing down a fully suspended sentence but said she did not think it would mark the gravity of the offence.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Son who dumped murder chainsaw for father is jailed. Charges or matters: disposing of a chainsaw blade and chain on January 20, 2016 in the same location. Procedural stage: sentence. Findings: Found guilty

When:

January 15 Hearing Or Sentence
January 19 Other
January 20, 2016 Hearing Or Sentence
January 16, 2016 Other
January 19, 2016 Hearing Or Sentence
February 5 Incident
2020-02-17 Publication

Why: The judge said it had been urged upon the court that the sentence should be suspended in full because of Wells Jnr's family background and his current family situation. CNI source report

Case subjects

Paul Wells Junior

Convicted Person

Charges: disposing of a chainsaw blade and chain on January 20, 2016 in the same location (Proven)

Finding: Found guilty

Outcome: Found guilty; Credit: Collins) A man who disposed of the chainsaw used to dismember the body of Kenneth O'Brien and impeded the prosecution of his father, who carried out the murder and dumped the victim's body parts in the Grand Canal, has been jailed for 18 months.

Paul Wells Senior

Convicted Person

Charges: 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 (51), of Barnamore Park, Finglas in Dublin 11 was jailed for life in 2018 having been found guilty of murdering Mr O'Brien at his home in Finglas on January 15 or 16, 2016.