Courts / Louth / Report
Trial over failed hit on James Gately concludes
Summary
A trial concerning an alleged attempt to obstruct justice following a shooting in Dublin has concluded at the Special Criminal Court. Gary McAreavey, aged 53, of Castlebellingham, County Louth, has pleaded not guilty to assisting in the burning of a vehicle allegedly used in a failed attack on James Gately on May 10, 2017. The prosecution alleged that Mr McAreavey purchased petrol and aided in destroying the car at Newrath, Dromiskin. Defence counsel argued there was insufficient evidence that Mr McAreavey possessed knowledge of the attempted murder. Separately, Caolan Smyth, aged 28, of County Meath, has pleaded not guilty to attempting to murder Mr Gately and to possessing a firearm with intent to endanger. The prosecution contended Mr Smyth fired the shots. The three-judge court will deliver verdicts on January 8, 2021.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Trial over failed hit on James Gately concludes. Charges or matters: acting to "impede an apprehension or prosecution by purchasing petrol and assisting in the burning out of the vehicle used in the attempted murder" at Newrath, Dromiskin, Co Louth on; Gately's attempted murder; possession of a firearm with intent to endanger on the same date at the same location. Procedural stage: charge_or_pretrial
When:
- May 10, 2017 Hearing Or Sentence
- January 8 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2020-11-05 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: Gately's attempted murder; possession of a firearm with intent to endanger on the same date at the same location (Alleged Or Contested)
Plea: Not guilty
Defendant
Charges: acting to "impede an apprehension or prosecution by purchasing petrol and assisting in the burning out of the vehicle used in the attempted murder" at Newrath, Dromiskin, Co Louth on; Gately's attempted murder; possession of a firearm with intent to endanger on the same date at the same location (Alleged Or Contested)
Plea: Not guilty
Places mentioned
- Special Criminal Court
- Clonshaugh Road
Topics
Stage Charge Or Pretrial Violent Crime
Related court reports
- Letting agent who claimed alleged domestic violence victim abandoned tenancy by fleeing to refuge must pay €14.7k
- Legal first sees miscarriage of justice certificate for IRA membership conviction quashed
- Garda murderer Brady's 'contempt' for trial with secret recording lands him with increased sentence
- Lorry driver who imported €1m in cannabis jailed for five years
- Lithuanian man admits engaging in terrorist plot to attack mosque
- Aaron Connolly gets date for retrial on Cameron Reilly murder
If a fact, identity, locality or legal outcome needs review, email the newsroom with this report's details prefilled.
Email a correction request