Courts / Dublin / Report

Man accused of trying to murder The Monk's brother admits to weapon charge, separate murder bid

Date
2023-03-27

Stage
Sentence

Primary locality
Dublin

County
Dublin

Summary

In a Special Criminal Court hearing, Michael Carroll, aged 43, pleaded guilty to two separate offences. He admitted to attempting to murder Edward Staunton on 26 March 2017 at Railway Street, Dublin 1, and to possessing a firearm with intent to endanger life on 2 September 2016 at Drumalee Avenue, where he had also attempted to murder John Hutch, who was 63 at the time and has since died. Carroll, who was extradited from the UK in April, answered only "guilty" to each charge. His defence requested six weeks to prepare mitigating factors for the upcoming sentence hearing and a governor's report from Mountjoy Prison. Judge Tony Hunt adjourned the sentence hearing to 22 May 2023. The case remains at the sentencing stage, with no further verdicts announced.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Man accused of trying to murder The Monk's brother admits to weapon charge, separate murder bid. Charges or matters: the attempted murder of Mr Staunton at Railway Street on March 26, 2017; the new charge of having in his possession or control a firearm with intent to endanger life, contrary to Section 15 of the Firearms Act, at Drumalee Avenue on September 2, 2016. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

March 26, 2017 Incident
September 2, 2016 Incident
May 22 Adjournment
2023-03-27 Publication

Case subjects

Michael Carroll

Accused

Charges: the attempted murder of Mr Staunton at Railway Street on March 26, 2017; the new charge of having in his possession or control a firearm with intent to endanger life, contrary to Section 15 of the Firearms Act, at Drumalee Avenue on September 2, 2016 (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: Defending barrister Giollaíosa Ó Lideadha SC asked the court for six weeks to prepare mitigating factors for Carroll's sentence hearing and asked that a governor's report from Mountjoy Prison be furnished to the court. Presiding judge Mr Justice Tony Hunt adjourned the matter to May 22 for Carroll's sentence hearing.; Presiding judge Mr Justice Tony Hunt adjourned the matter to May 22 for Carroll's sentence hearing.