Courts / Dublin / Report

Prisoner who was charged with Coolock murder admits to lesser offence

Date
2026-06-15

Stage
Sentence

Primary locality
Dublin

County
Dublin

Summary

A 42-year-old prisoner, Paul Clarke, who was originally charged with the murder of Eoin Boylan in November 2019, has pleaded guilty to participating in the activities of a criminal organisation. Clarke, from Coolock Drive, Coolock, appeared before the Central Criminal Court and admitted to participating in the killing of Mr Boylan at Clonshaugh Avenue, Dublin, with knowledge of the existence of a criminal organisation. The court heard that Clarke, between November 23 and 24, 2019, participated in the killing with the intent to enhance the ability of the organisation to commit serious offences. Clarke was initially charged with murder in March 2025. His defence counsel, Michael O'Higgins SC, noted that Clarke is currently serving a lengthy sentence but is doing well and requested a probation report. Mr Justice Paul McDermott listed the case for October 5 and requested the probation report be prepared by that date. Eoin Boylan was shot six times outside his home on Clonshaugh Avenue on November 24, 2019, and later died at Beaumont Hospital.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Prisoner who was charged with Coolock murder admits to lesser offence. Charges or matters: participating in the activity of a crime gang; the participation in the activity of a criminal organisation contrary to section 72 of the Criminal Justice Act 2006, as substituted by section 6 of the Criminal Law (Amendment) Act 2009. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

November 2019 Hearing Or Sentence
March 2025 Incident
October 5 Other
November 24, 2019 Other
2026-06-15 Publication

Case subjects

Unnamed 42-year-old

Accused

Charges: participating in the activity of a crime gang; the participation in the activity of a criminal organisation contrary to section 72 of the Criminal Justice Act 2006, as substituted by section 6 of the Criminal Law (Amendment) Act 2009 (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: Defence counsel Michael O'Higgins SC said that his client was currently serving a lengthy sentence in custody but asked that a probation report be prepared, as he is "doing well" at the moment.