Courts / Dublin / Report

Kinahan 'foot soldier' poured cold water on Hutch murder plot

Summary

The Special Criminal Court heard sentencing submissions for Mark Capper and Michael Burns, both of whom pleaded guilty to facilitating the murder of Patrick Hutch by a Criminal Organisation between February 1 and March 10, 2018. Capper, 31, admitted to a single count involving knowledge of the organisation and participation in activities to facilitate the serious offence, including planning the shooting and providing vehicles. Burns, 43, pleaded guilty to participating in the organisation's activities, including acting as a communications conduit, providing mobile phones and SIM cards, and assisting in planning the murder. Detective Superintendent Dave Gallagher testified that the Kinahan gang operated through hierarchical sub-cells and that Capper, described as a foot soldier, expressed reluctance and withdrew from the plot three days before it was foiled. The court noted Capper's 65 previous convictions and personal circumstances, including ADHD and financial difficulties. Justice Tony Hunt, sitting with Judges Sarah Berkeley and Dermot Dempsey, adjourned the finalisation of Capper's sentence to June 9th. No sentence was imposed on either defendant during this hearing.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Kinahan 'foot soldier' poured cold water on Hutch murder plot. Charges or matters: having knowledge of the existence of a Criminal Organisation and participating in activities intended to facilitate the commission of a serious offence by that Criminal Organisation, or any of its members, to wit the murder of Patrick Hutch within the State between February 1 and March 10, 2018, both dates inclusive; the same offence – for a loan of €50, which he was refused; includes passing instructions to one or members of the Criminal Organisation, and/or acting as a conduit for communications between member of the Criminal Organisation, and/or providing assistance in the provision of one of more mobile phones for use by the Criminal Organisation, and/or purchasing or assisting in purchasing one or more sim cards for mobile phone, and/or purchasing or assisting in the purchase of one or

When:

• February 1 Incident
• March 10, 2018 Incident
• February 27th 2018 Hearing Or Sentence
• February 28th 2018 Other
• March 10th 2018 Incident
• February 1st 2018 Incident
• June 9th Other
• 2020-05-11 Publication

Why: The original plan was scuppered because of Storm Emma and the attempted murder was postponed until March 10th 2018, the court heard. Court evidence reported by CNI

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Trial Violent Crime

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Read the original CNI report