Courts / Dublin / Report
Jailed hitman wanted over murder of pop star's lover to get hearing date
Summary
Imre Arakas, 62, a former Estonian separatist, is jailed in Portlaoise Prison after pleading guilty to conspiring to murder James Gately in Northern Ireland in April 2017. He received a six‑year sentence from the Special Criminal Court in December 2018. Lithuanian authorities suspect Arakas was part of a three‑man gang that planned the murder of a man who had an affair with Lithuanian pop star Vita Jakutiene. They seek his surrender on a European Arrest Warrant, alleging he faces charges of murder, firearms offences and conspiracy related to the shooting of Deimantas Bugavicius. Arakas was arrested in Dublin in February 2018 under the EAW. His extradition hearing date will be set next month, with the case adjourned for four weeks until 15 June. He remains remanded in custody awaiting that hearing. The hearing will be conducted via video‑link from Portlaoise Prison.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Jailed hitman wanted over murder of pop star's lover to get hearing date. Charges or matters: conspiring with others to murder Mr Gately in Northern Ireland between April 3 and 4, 2017. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- December 2018 Incident
- April 3 Hearing Or Sentence
- February 2018 Incident
- June 15 Adjournment
- April 3, 2017 Hearing Or Sentence
- April 2017 Hearing Or Sentence
- October 2018 Incident
- 2020-05-18 Publication
Case subjects
Convicted Person
Charges: conspiring with others to murder Mr Gately in Northern Ireland between April 3 and 4, 2017 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Imre Arakas (62) was jailed by the Special Criminal Court for six years in December 2018 after he admitted to conspiring with others to murder James Gately in Northern Ireland between April 3 and 4, 2017. However, Arakas was jailed by the non-jury Special Criminal Court for six years in December 2018 after he pleaded guilty to conspiring with others to murder Mr Gately in Northern Ireland between April 3 and 4, 2017.; The judge told the court that a date for hearing would be fixed on the next occasion and adjourned the case for four weeks until June 15.
Places mentioned
- Special Criminal Court
- High Court
- Portlaoise
- Portlaoise Prison
Topics
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