Courts / Dublin / Report

Gangland figure Alan Wilson gets date to appeal his own guilty plea

Date
2026-04-24
Stage
Appeal
Primary locality
Dublin
County
Dublin

Summary

The Court of Appeal has fixed November 5 as the hearing date for Alan Wilson's application to change his guilty plea to not guilty and to extend the time to lodge an appeal against his conviction. Wilson, who is representing himself, confirmed under oath that his handwritten affidavits were true. Ms Justice Isobel Kennedy ordered Wilson to file submissions by June 25, while the Director of Public Prosecutions has been granted three months to respond. Wilson was originally jailed for six years by the Special Criminal Court in July 2019 for conspiring with others to murder Gary Hanley between September 15 and November 6, 2017. He pleaded guilty to this charge, as did co-accused Joseph Kelly. Kelly, who was recorded instructing the plot, was sentenced to six years for the conspiracy and 12 years for possessing a firearm with intent to endanger life. The matter remains at the procedural stage of an appeal hearing date being set, and the case has not been concluded or finalised. Wilson had previously submitted a letter of apology to the court, expressing regret for aiding a gang and his actions in the alleged murder plot.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Gangland figure Alan Wilson gets date to appeal his own guilty plea. Charges or matters: conspiring with others to murder Gary Hanley at a location within the State between 15 September and 6 November 2017, both dates inclusive. Procedural stage: appeal

When:

Case subjects

Alan Wilson

Appellant

Charges: conspiring with others to murder Gary Hanley at a location within the State between 15 September and 6 November 2017, both dates inclusive (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: Wilson, who was secretly recorded by gardaí in discussions about the murder plot, was jailed for six years by the Special Criminal Court in July 2019. Wilson had penned a letter of apology which was handed into the court at his sentence hearing.

Joseph Kelly

Convicted Person

Charges: conspiring with others to murder Gary Hanley at a location within the State between 15 September and 6 November 2017, both dates inclusive (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Places mentioned

Secondary Mention
Court Venue
  • Court of Appeal
  • Special Criminal Court
Residence

Topics

Stage Appeal Violent Crime

Related court reports

Read the original CNI report

Correction or retraction request

If a fact, identity, locality or legal outcome needs review, email the newsroom with this report's details prefilled.

Email a correction request