Courts / Kildare / Report
Man with no priors on trial accused of topping up mobile used in 'Duck Egg' Kirwan murder
Summary
A 40‑year‑old man with no prior convictions, Michael Crotty, is on trial before the Special Criminal Court for allegedly topping up a prepaid mobile phone that was used in the murder of Christopher 'Noel' Kirwan, who was mistakenly linked to the Regency Hotel shooting. Crotty pleaded not guilty. The prosecution alleges he purchased a top‑up for the third phone at a Spar shop in Naas on 21 December 2016, the day before Kirwan's murder. They claim he knew or was reckless about the phone's potential use in a serious crime. Crotty was arrested in March 2021 and questioned by Gardaí. He is charged under Section 72 of the Criminal Justice Act for participating or contributing to the murder of Kirwan. The court will consider a media application regarding a party named only as AB in evidence. The trial is ongoing.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Man with no priors on trial accused of topping up mobile used in 'Duck Egg' Kirwan murder. Charges or matters: the single charge. Procedural stage: trial
When:
- December 22, 2016 Incident
- December 21 Incident
- March 2, 2021 Incident
- October 20, 2016 Incident
- 2024-01-17 Publication
Case subjects
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