Courts / Dublin / Report

Gunman 'indiscriminately' emptied revolver at the Monk's brother

Date
2023-05-22

Stage
Sentence

Primary locality
Dublin

County
Dublin

Summary

In a sentencing hearing on 22 May 2023, the Special Criminal Court heard that Michael Carroll, aged 43, had "indiscriminately" fired a revolver at John Hutch, a 63‑year‑old former Dublin resident, outside Hutch's home on Drumalee Avenue on 2 September 2016. CCTV showed Carroll approaching the rear of the house in a stolen Opel Astra, carrying two firearms – one with seven rounds and the other with six – and firing all rounds into the garden where Hutch's wife, Vera Hutch, was present. Vera Hutch gave a victim impact statement describing the lasting trauma of the incident. Carroll had previously been charged with attempted murder of Hutch and had pleaded guilty to a firearms offence. He was also charged with two attempted murders of Edward Staunton in March 2017; he pleaded guilty to one of those charges. The court noted Carroll's extensive criminal record and the alleged motive of repaying a drug debt to the Kinahan/Byrne faction.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Gunman 'indiscriminately' emptied revolver at the Monk's brother. Charges or matters: a 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 the same date; one of those two charges; the attempted murder of Mr Staunton at Railway Street on March 26, 2017. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

September 2016 Incident
September 2, 2016 Incident
March 26, 2017 Incident
July 31 Incident
September 2 2016 Incident
August 30 Hearing Or Sentence
September 2 Hearing Or Sentence
February 27 Incident
March 26 2017 Hearing Or Sentence
April 7 Incident
2023-05-22 Publication

Case subjects

Michael Carroll

Accused

Charges: a 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 the same date; one of those two charges; the attempted murder of Mr Staunton at Railway Street on March 26, 2017 (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: The court heard that the rest of the sentence hearing would be dealt with on July 31 next.; Mr Justice Tony Hunt, sitting with Judge Elma Sheahan and Judge Alan Mitchell, remanded Carroll in custody until July 31, when a plea in mitigation by the defendant's barrister will be made to the court.