Courts / Limerick / Report

Father-of-two jailed for hiding CCTV device linked to murder

Date
2014-01-20

Stage
Sentence

Primary locality
Limerick

Summary

Ian Flanagan, a 24‑year‑old Limerick father of two, was sentenced to eighteen months' imprisonment for hiding a CCTV device that contained crucial evidence for the murder trial of his brother Seán Flanagan and uncle Paul Colbert. The device was concealed on waste ground away from the family home, preventing the system from recording the killers' movements. The murder in question involved Gerard McMahon, who was stabbed to death on 18 January 2012 while visiting his cousin on Lenihan Avenue. Seán Flanagan (28) and Paul Colbert (46) were found guilty of the murder and sentenced to life imprisonment. During the four‑week trial, they denied the charge. Detective Sergeant Denis Treacy testified that a personal dispute existed between Seán Flanagan and the deceased, who had been friendly with Seán's former girlfriend. The family's CCTV system had captured the Flanagan brothers entering the home shortly after midnight, but the system was disconnected before the killers' movements were recorded.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Father-of-two jailed for hiding CCTV device linked to murder. Procedural stage: sentence. Findings: Found guilty

When:

January 18, 2012 Other
2014-01-20 Publication

Case subjects

Ian Flanagan

Convicted Person

Finding: Found guilty

Outcome: Found guilty; Ian Flangan's brother, Seán Flanagan (28), and their uncle, Paul Colbert (46), were last month found guilty of murdering the 43-year-old and sentenced to life in prison. Mr Justice Garrett Sheehan imposed a two-year sentence with the last six years suspended today at the Central Criminal Court. "The court knows the CCTV was removed on the spur of the moment to protect Mr Flanagans brother," said Mr Justice Sheehan. "I impose two years imprisonment with the final 6 months suspended and a bond of €500 to be paid." Mr Justice Garrett Sheehan noted a reference of a former employer for whom Mr Flanagan worked full-time previously for 18 months.

Paul Colbert

Convicted Person

Outcome: Paul Colbert (46), were last month found guilty of murdering the 43-year-old and sentenced to life in prison.