Courts / Dublin / Report

Spotter for 'murder gang' who gunned down Eamon Kelly gets life

Date
2022-01-17

Stage
Sentence

Primary locality
Dublin

County
Dublin

Summary

The Special Criminal Court has sentenced Darren Murphy to life in prison for the murder of Eamon Kelly. Mr Justice Owens, sitting with Judges Ní Chúlacháin and Dempsey, imposed the mandatory life sentence, backdating it to November 1, 2021, for time already served. Murphy, who pleaded not guilty, was convicted of acting as a "spotter" in the December 4, 2012, shooting of the 65-year-old victim on Furry Park Road, Killester. The court found he participated in the common design of the murder gang, meeting the gunman and getaway driver and facilitating their escape. He was acquitted of possessing a Glock pistol due to insufficient evidence. Co-accused Kenneth Donohoe, who also pleaded not guilty, was found not to have been the getaway driver or possessed a handgun, with the court citing insufficient evidence of his direct role. In 2015, Sean Connolly was jailed for life for the same murder. The judge stated the evidence admitted no other credible explanation for Murphy's activities, noting he was as guilty as the shooter. Murphy has six previous convictions for public order and road traffic matters. The court accepted victim impact statements from Kelly's daughter, Alison, who described the killing as a "cowardly and senseless act."

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Spotter for 'murder gang' who gunned down Eamon Kelly gets life. Charges or matters: all charges relating to the murder of 65-year-old Kelly. Procedural stage: sentence. Findings: Acquitted

When:

December 4, 2012 Hearing Or Sentence
November 1, 2021 Hearing Or Sentence
December 1 Other
2022-01-17 Publication

Case subjects

Darren Murphy

Convicted Person

Charges: all charges relating to the murder of 65-year-old Kelly (Alleged Or Contested)

Plea: Not guilty

Finding: Acquitted

Outcome: Acquitted; Photo: Collins) The "spotter" for a "murder gang" who gunned down veteran criminal Eamon Kelly as he walked to his home on Dublin's Northside almost nine years ago has been sentenced to life in prison by the Special Criminal Court. Today Mr Justice Owens imposed the mandatory life sentence on Murphy, backdating it for time already served in custody to November 1, 2021.

Kenneth Donohoe

Co Accused

Charges: all charges relating to the murder of 65-year-old Kelly (Alleged Or Contested)

Plea: Not guilty

Sean Connolly

Convicted Person

Outcome: Sean Connolly, then aged 35, of Bernard Curtis House, Bluebell, Dublin, was jailed for life by the Special Criminal Court for Kelly's murder.