Courts / Dublin / Report
'Local junkie' claimed he could organise 'hit' for friend whose wife was having online affair
Summary
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, Alan Leech, 38, pleaded guilty to extortion after being approached by Bryan Kennedy to murder a couple with whom Kennedy's wife was having an online affair. Leech claimed he was paid €10,000 and that he had arranged for third parties to carry out the murder, but the court found he had not contracted any killers and had merely exploited Kennedy's belief that he had criminal connections. Kennedy, who had paid Leech €8,000 and later failed to pay an outstanding €2,000, was sentenced to four and a half years in prison for soliciting the murder. Leech, who has 43 prior convictions, was scheduled for sentencing on May 2, 2024. The case highlighted threats, intimidation and the impact on Kennedy's wife, who reported ongoing fear and PTSD after the incidents.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: 'Local junkie' claimed he could organise 'hit' for friend whose wife was having online affair. Charges or matters: demanding money with menaces on three occasions during January 2020. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- January 2020 Hearing Or Sentence
- October 2019 Hearing Or Sentence
- January 6, 2020 Hearing Or Sentence
- January 11 Hearing Or Sentence
- May 2 Adjournment
- 2023-04-19 Publication
Why: She said she has recurring PTSD nightmares and that her disability has flared and deteiroated so badly because of stress that she is now in a wheelchair. CNI source report
Case subjects
Convicted Person
Charges: demanding money with menaces on three occasions during January 2020 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Photo: Collins) An opportunistic "local junkie" who was solicited by another man to kill a couple who were having an "online affair" with his wife is to be sentenced next month for extortion, Dublin Circuit Criminal Court has heard. Kennedy, of Mount Tallant Avenue, Harold's Cross, Dublin 6W, was sentenced at the Central Criminal Court to four and a half years in prison for soliciting Leech to murder two women on a date between October 2019 and January 2020.; Judge Orla Crowe adjourned the case for sentence to May 2.
Places mentioned
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
- Central Criminal Court
- Hazelbrook Square
- Churchtown
- Dublin
- Mount Tallant Avenue
Topics
Related court reports
- Man charged with having 56k child abuse images and videos remanded on bail
- Ex-Dáil hopeful's allegations against former employer 'complete fantasy', WRC told
- Mater must pay €10k to worker who said he was wrongly accused of abusing patient
- 'I think we know I won't be getting bail' - Daniel Kinahan charged with directing criminal organisation
- Letting agent who claimed alleged domestic violence victim abandoned tenancy by fleeing to refuge must pay €14.7k
- 77-year-old with 470 convictions told Luas staff to 'f**k off'
If a fact, identity, locality or legal outcome needs review, email the newsroom with this report's details prefilled.
Email a correction request