Courts / Dublin / Report
Kinahan cartel associate plotted murder while 'haunted' by assassination of innocent friend
Summary
Jason 'Jay' O'Connor, aged 46, was found guilty of conspiracy to murder Charlie Cooper, a victim of a December 2016 shooting that left him seriously injured but alive. O'Connor, linked to the Kinahan cartel, admitted helping plan the attack, which involved ten shots fired in Cooper's kitchen. He also faced charges for possessing a 9mm firearm and ammunition, and for facilitating drug supply. O'Connor's defence highlighted that the death of his friend Keith Walker in 2015, whom he believed he was targeted for, had caused him severe mental distress, leading to suicidal thoughts and psychiatric treatment. He pleaded guilty to the conspiracy charge, and the court noted his 70 prior convictions, including assault and burglary. The Special Criminal Court adjourned sentencing to 14 October, with a maximum penalty of 15 years' imprisonment. The case underscored O'Connor's involvement in the Kinahan organisation and his alleged role in the 2016 murder plot.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Kinahan cartel associate plotted murder while 'haunted' by assassination of innocent friend. Charges or matters: conspiracy to murder Charlie Cooper under Section 4 of the Offences against the Person Act 1861; the charge that he did between August 2, 2016, and December 7, 2016, both dates inclusive, within the State and with knowledge of the existence of a criminal organisation, participate in, or contribute to, activity intending to or being reckless as to whether such participation or contribution could, facilitate the commission of a serious offence by that criminal organisation or any of its member, to wit: murder. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- December 5, 2016 Incident
- December 2016 Other
- October 2016 Other
- June 12, 2015 Hearing Or Sentence
- October 14 Adjournment
- August 2, 2016 Incident
- December 7, 2016 Incident
- 2024-07-30 Publication
Case subjects
Accused
Charges: conspiracy to murder Charlie Cooper under Section 4 of the Offences against the Person Act 1861; the charge that he did between August 2, 2016, and December 7, 2016, both dates inclusive, within the State and with knowledge of the existence of a criminal organisation, participate in, or contribute to, activity intending to or being reckless as to whether such participation or contribution could, facilitate the commission of a serious offence by that criminal organisation or any of its member, to wit: murder (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Christopher McDonald (then 34), from the East Wall area, was found guilty by unanimous verdict at the Central Criminal Court in 2017 and sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of Mr Walker (36), at the Blanchardstown Pigeon Racing Club car park on Shelerin Road, Clonsilla, on June 12, 2015. Mr Gillane said O'Connor was facing a maximum term of imprisonment of 15 years.; Mr Justice Tony Hunt, presiding, adjourned the matter for sentence finalisation to October 14.
Places mentioned
- Special Criminal Court
- Central Criminal Court
- Shelerin Road
Topics
Burglary Drugs Stage Sentence Violent Crime
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