Courts / Dublin / Report
Man cleared, co-accused guilty of Eamon Kelly gangland murder
Summary
In a Special Criminal Court hearing, Kenneth Donohoe was found not guilty of murdering Eamon Kelly, while his co‑accused Darren Murphy was convicted. The judge said there was insufficient evidence to prove Donohoe was the driver of the getaway Lexus, that he possessed a Glock handgun, or that he had a direct role in the gang. Evidence was deemed insufficient to establish Donohoe's involvement beyond reasonable doubt. Murphy, aged 51, was found guilty of the murder after evidence showed he acted as a spotter and assisted the gunman, Sean Connolly, and the getaway driver. Murphy was also found not guilty of the second charge of possession of a Glock pistol with intent to endanger life. The court will impose a mandatory life sentence on Murphy and remand him until the sentencing date. The case involved CCTV footage, fingerprints, vehicle links, DNA and firearm residue as circumstantial evidence. The court granted Donohoe a discharge from the indictment.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Man cleared, co-accused guilty of Eamon Kelly gangland murder. Charges or matters: the possession of a firearm – a Glock pistol – with intent to endanger life, on the same date and at the same location. Procedural stage: sentence. Findings: Acquitted
When:
- December 4, 2012 Incident
- December 1 Incident
- January 17, 2022 Adjournment
- 2021-11-15 Publication
Case subjects
Co Accused
Charges: the possession of a firearm – a Glock pistol – with intent to endanger life, on the same date and at the same location (Alleged Or Contested)
Plea: Not guilty
Finding: Acquitted
Outcome: Acquitted; The three-judge court will hand down the mandatory sentence of life imprisonment to Murphy on January 17, 2022 and remanded him in custody until that date.; The three-judge court will hand down the mandatory sentence of life imprisonment to Murphy on January 17, 2022 and remanded him in custody until that date.
Convicted Person
Charges: the possession of a firearm – a Glock pistol – with intent to endanger life, on the same date and at the same location (Alleged Or Contested)
Plea: Not guilty
Outcome: The three-judge court will hand down the mandatory sentence of life imprisonment to Murphy on January 17, 2022 and remanded him in custody until that date.
Convicted Person
Outcome: Sean Connolly, then aged 35, of Bernard Curtis House, Bluebell, Dublin was jailed for life by the Special Criminal Court for the murder of veteran criminal Kelly.; The three-judge court will hand down the mandatory sentence of life imprisonment to Murphy on January 17, 2022 and remanded him in custody until that date.
Places mentioned
- Special Criminal Court
- Furry Park Road
- Dunseverick Road
- George's Place
- Dublin
- Howth Road
- Bernard Curtis House
- Mr Donohoe's house
Topics
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