Courts / Dublin / Report
'Unsuitable' getaway driver used mother's car for gangland murder
Summary
A getaway driver, Matthew Bell, 25, was jailed for eight years for using his mother's car to help gangland murderers escape after the killing of 28‑year‑old John Gibson in a Dublin carpark. Bell pleaded guilty to participating in or contributing to the murder on 18 September 2017. The judge, Mr Justice Paul McDermott, sentenced Bell to nine years and three months, with the final 15 months suspended, citing Bell's role in driving the getaway vehicle and his lack of suitability to his assigned role in the gang. Bell's early guilty plea and his struggle with drug addiction were mitigating factors. The sentence was reduced from the headline term of 12 years and six months. The court heard the victim's mother, Tara Gibson, express sorrow and hope for further convictions, and the police described the vehicle movements and Bell's involvement in the escape.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: 'Unsuitable' getaway driver used mother's car for gangland murder. Charges or matters: participating in or contributing to the murder of Mr Gibson on September 18 2017, intending to facilitate the activities of a criminal organisation. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- September 18 2017 Hearing Or Sentence
- March 4 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2022-03-14 Publication
Case subjects
Convicted Person
Charges: participating in or contributing to the murder of Mr Gibson on September 18 2017, intending to facilitate the activities of a criminal organisation (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: At the Central Criminal Court this afternoon, Bell (25), of Ambervale, in Cookstown, Dublin 24, was jailed for his role in the killing after he pleaded guilty to participating in or contributing to the murder of Mr Gibson on September 18 2017, intending to facilitate the activities of a criminal organisation. Speaking outside court, Mr Gibson's mother Tara Gibson said that while she was "happy" with the sentence handed down, she said she had hoped Bell would have been jailed for longer. "I only hope they catch the other ones responsible," she said. "They are still out there." Ms Gibson previously told the court that "a part of me died" when she was told by gardai her son had been shot dead.
Places mentioned
- Central Criminal Court
Topics
Drugs Stage Sentence Violent Crime
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