Courts / Dublin / Report
Mother of 'gentle giant' killed in hail of bullets weeps as she tells court of family's devastation
Summary
In a Central Criminal Court hearing on 4 March 2022, Tara Gibson, mother of 28‑year‑old John Gibson, wept as she recounted the loss of her son, who was shot five times by rival drug gang members at Citywest Shopping Centre. John Gibson, a father of two, was killed on 18 September 2017. Matthew Bell, 25, pleaded guilty to participating in or contributing to the murder, admitting he had driven a Volkswagen Caddy to the scene and later used a black Opel Corsa, which was traced to Bell's mother. Bell claimed his involvement was due to stupidity and drug use, and expressed remorse. The court adjourned the hearing to 14 March, with no sentencing or further proceedings reported in the article. The mother described her son as a kind, loving man and expressed that his death was a living nightmare, a part of her dying that day. The article does not mention any sentencing or further legal outcomes.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Mother of 'gentle giant' killed in hail of bullets weeps as she tells court of family's devastation. Charges or matters: participating in or contributing to the murder of Mr Gibson at September 18 2017, intending to facilitate the activities of a criminal organisation. Procedural stage: charge_or_pretrial
When:
- September 18 2017 Hearing Or Sentence
- March 14 Adjournment
- 2022-03-04 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: participating in or contributing to the murder of Mr Gibson at September 18 2017, intending to facilitate the activities of a criminal organisation (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Mr Justice Paul McDermott adjourned the hearing to March 14.
Places mentioned
- Central Criminal Court
Topics
Drugs Stage Charge Or Pretrial Violent Crime
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