Courts / Dublin / Report

Gangland murder conspirator can be named

Date
2021-05-27

Stage
Trial

Primary locality
Lucan

County
Dublin

Summary

At the Central Criminal Court, four men admitted to offences related to the attempted murder of gangland figure Wayne Whelan at Griffeen Glen Park, Lucan, on September 4, 2019. Cailean Crawford (25), of Ballyfermot, pleaded guilty to conspiring to murder Whelan. His barrister, John Fitzgerald SC, applied for reporting restrictions citing a separate trial scheduled for June 2022. However, Mr Justice White rejected the application, ruling that Crawford could be named, stating he had great faith in the jury system. Wayne Ryan, of Longford, also pleaded guilty to the attempted murder of Whelan. Darren Henderson (30), of Ballyfermot, and a fourth man, who remains unnamed, pleaded guilty to conspiring with Crawford to murder Whelan. All four defendants were originally charged with attempted murder and were due to stand trial together on June 21, a date vacated following their guilty pleas. Whelan, who survived the initial shooting, was later killed in a separate incident in November 2019. Mr Justice White remanded the four men in custody until July 12 for a sentence hearing.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Gangland murder conspirator can be named. Charges or matters: the attempted murder of Whelan (42) at Griffeen Glen Park, Lucan, on September 4, 2019; conspiring with Crawford to murder him. Procedural stage: trial

When:

May 15 Hearing Or Sentence
November 15 2019 Hearing Or Sentence
June 2022 Hearing Or Sentence
September 4, 2019 Other
June 21 Incident
November 18, 2019 Adjournment
July 12 Adjournment
2021-05-27 Publication

Case subjects

Cailean Crawford

Accused

Charges: the attempted murder of Whelan (42) at Griffeen Glen Park, Lucan, on September 4, 2019; conspiring with Crawford to murder him (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: Mr Justice White remanded the four men in custody until July 12, for a sentence hearing.

Darren Henderson

Accused

Charges: conspiring with Crawford to murder him (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: Mr Justice White remanded the four men in custody until July 12, for a sentence hearing.

Wayne Ryan

Accused

Charges: the attempted murder of Whelan (42) at Griffeen Glen Park, Lucan, on September 4, 2019; conspiring with Crawford to murder him (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: Mr Justice White remanded the four men in custody until July 12, for a sentence hearing.

Wayne Whelan

Accused

Charges: the attempted murder of Whelan (42) at Griffeen Glen Park, Lucan, on September 4, 2019; conspiring with Crawford to murder him (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: Mr Justice White remanded the four men in custody until July 12, for a sentence hearing.