Courts / Dublin / Report

Public to be excluded from non-jury court as covert gardai give evidence

Date
2021-11-11

Stage
Trial

Court
Eoin Reynolds The Special Criminal Court

Primary locality
Dublin

County
Dublin

Summary

The Special Criminal Court has ordered that the public be excluded from an attempted murder trial while evidence is heard from members of the National Surveillance Unit (NSU), a covert unit that targets terrorists and organised crime gangs. Justice Tara Burns granted the order after Detective Superintendent Ciaran Hoey explained that revealing the identities of NSU officers would endanger their lives, compromise ongoing investigations, and jeopardise future covert operations. The court will allow media members to attend, but the names, physical characteristics or any identifying details of the NSU officers will not be published. The NSU officers will give evidence in the trial of 42‑year‑old Alan Wilson, who has pleaded not guilty to attempted murders and possession of firearms and ammunition. The trial will resume on Monday, 15 November.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Public to be excluded from non-jury court as covert gardai give evidence. Charges or matters: the attempted murders of Brian Masterson, Wayne Barrett and Austin Purcell at The Player's Lounge Public House, Fairview Strand, Fairview, Dublin 3 on July 26, 2010; the possession of firearms and ammunition, namely: a .38 Special Calibre Smith & Wesson revolver and .38 special calibre ammunition and a .32 Auto Calibre Zastava semi-automatic pistol and .32 auto calibre ammunition with intent to endanger life at the same location and on the same date. Procedural stage: trial

When:

July 26, 2010 Incident
2021-11-11 Publication

Why: " He added: "If their anonymity is compromised they are of no use in covert operations because of the risk to themselves and their sources and their colleagues. CNI source report

Case subjects

Alan Wilson

Defendant

Charges: the attempted murders of Brian Masterson, Wayne Barrett and Austin Purcell at The Player's Lounge Public House, Fairview Strand, Fairview, Dublin 3 on July 26, 2010; the possession of firearms and ammunition, namely: a .38 Special Calibre Smith & Wesson revolver and .38 special calibre ammunition and a .32 Auto Calibre Zastava semi-automatic pistol and .32 auto calibre ammunition with intent to endanger life at the same location and on the same date (Alleged Or Contested)

Plea: Not guilty