Courts / Kildare / Report
Man admits to facilitating Kinahan Cartel in serious offence, ending trial
Summary
A man named Michael Crotty, aged 41, admitted to facilitating the Kinahan Cartel by buying a mobile top‑up for Sean McGovern, a leading figure in the cartel, during a Special Criminal Court hearing. Crotty had previously pleaded not guilty to a charge related to the 2016 murder of Noel 'Duck Egg' Kirwan, an innocent man mistakenly targeted by the cartel. In the hearing, Crotty pleaded guilty to a new charge of recklessness under Section 72 of the Criminal Justice Act, stating he had no intention for the top‑up to be used in endangering anyone. The court noted that Kirwan was shot dead after the Regency Hotel attack, which had involved the cartel. The judge extended Crotty's bail and adjourned sentencing to April 22. The trial had been scheduled for up to five weeks and included testimony on the cartel's structure and activities.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Man admits to facilitating Kinahan Cartel in serious offence, ending trial. Charges or matters: facilitating the murder of Noel 'Duck Egg' Kirwan in 2016 but today admitted to a new charge based on recklessness, with his counsel telling the court it had never been Crotty's intention for the top-up to be used in the endangerment of any person; that single charge but today pleaded guilty to a new charge under Section 72 of the Criminal Justice Act; recklessness in buying the phone credit because it had "never been his [Crotty's] intention for it to be used in the endangerment of any person". Procedural stage: trial
When:
- December 21, 2016 Other
- October 20, 2016 Other
- December 22, 2016 Incident
- April 22 Adjournment
- 2024-02-06 Publication
Why: Mr Kirwan, an innocent man who had no involvement in criminality, was shot dead because members of the Kinahan organisation mistakenly thought that he was connected to the Hutch crime organisation, the court heard. Court evidence reported by CNI
Case subjects
Accused
Charges: facilitating the murder of Noel 'Duck Egg' Kirwan in 2016 but today admitted to a new charge based on recklessness, with his counsel telling the court it had never been Crotty's intention for the top-up to be used in the endangerment of any person; that single charge but today pleaded guilty to a new charge under Section 72 of the Criminal Justice Act; recklessness in buying the phone credit because it had "never been his [Crotty's] intention for it to be used in the endangerment of any person" (Alleged Or Contested)
Plea: Not guilty
Outcome: Presiding judge Ms Justice Caroline Biggs extended Crotty's bail and adjourned the brief hearing to April 22 for sentencing.
Places mentioned
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