Courts / Dublin / Report

Kinahan cartel man directed activities during failed bid to murder 'Mago' Gately

Date
2021-07-26
Stage
Sentence
Primary locality
Dublin
County
Dublin

Summary

Peter Keating, 40, of Clondalkin, pleaded guilty at the Special Criminal Court to directing the activities of the Kinahan crime cartel in their failed attempt to murder Hutch gang member James 'Mago' Gately. Detective Sergeant David Carolan stated that Keating was involved in locating Gately's Belfast home and tracking his movements using devices planted on his car and family members' vehicles. It was accepted that Keating was himself receiving directions from others. Mr Justice Tony Hunt, presiding in the three-judge court, adjourned sentencing until September 2. The court heard that Imre Arakas, 62, was brought to Ireland on April 3, 2017, to target Gately. Arakas was arrested before the planned attack could be carried out and was jailed for six years in December 2018 after pleading guilty to conspiring with others to murder Gately. Separately, Caolan Smyth, 30, of Donore, Co Meath, was sentenced to 20 years in February for attempted murder in relation to a separate attack on Gately in May 2017, where Gately survived despite being shot five times while wearing a bulletproof vest. Keating's counsel highlighted his early guilty plea and physical disabilities, while the prosecution noted his ten previous convictions.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Kinahan cartel man directed activities during failed bid to murder 'Mago' Gately. Charges or matters: directing a criminal organisation, it was accepted he was receiving directions from others; conspiring with others to murder Gately in Northern Ireland between April 3 and 4, 2017; directing the activities of the Kinahan crime cartel in their failed attempt to murder Hutch gang member James 'Mago' Gately, was himself receiving directions from others, the Special Criminal Court heard today. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

Case subjects

Caolan Smyth

Convicted Person

Charges: directing a criminal organisation, it was accepted he was receiving directions from others (Alleged Or Contested)

Outcome: Caolan Smyth (30) of Cuileann Court, Donore, Co Meath Smyth was sentenced to 20 years last February for attempted murder in relation to that attempt.

Imre Arakas

Convicted Person

Charges: conspiring with others to murder Gately in Northern Ireland between April 3 and 4, 2017; directing a criminal organisation, it was accepted he was receiving directions from others (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: Arakas (62) was jailed for six years in December 2018, having pleaded guilty to conspiring with others to murder Gately in Northern Ireland between April 3 and 4, 2017.; Mr Justice Tony Hunt, presiding in the three-judge court, adjourned sentencing until September 2.

Peter Keating

Defendant

Charges: directing the activities of the Kinahan crime cartel in their failed attempt to murder Hutch gang member James 'Mago' Gately, was himself receiving directions from others, the Special Criminal Court heard today; conspiring with others to murder Gately in Northern Ireland between April 3 and 4, 2017; directing a criminal organisation, it was accepted he was receiving directions from others (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: Detective Sergeant David Carolan told a sentence hearing today that following the Regency attack in which Kinahan gang member David Byrne was shot dead, Gately was "one of a number of members of the Hutch organisation who were targeted by the rival gang known as the Kinahan crime organisation." The detective said an Estonian man named Imre Arakas was brought to Ireland on April 3, 2017 to target Gately.; Mr Justice Tony Hunt, presiding in the three-judge court, adjourned sentencing until September 2.

Places mentioned

Court Venue
  • Special Criminal Court
Residence
Secondary Mention
Journey Or Route
Incident

Topics

Stage Sentence Violent Crime

Related court reports

Read the original CNI report

Correction or retraction request

If a fact, identity, locality or legal outcome needs review, email the newsroom with this report's details prefilled.

Email a correction request