Derek Coady awaits sentence after admitting endangerment of Alan Hall

This report is a localnews.ie summary based on public court reporting and records; sources are listed below.

Derek Coady pleaded guilty to endangerment at the Central Criminal Court. The proceedings were reported on 28 March 2023. The charge concerned conduct at Bluebell Avenue, Dublin 12, on an unknown date between 17 and 18 May 2020 that created a substantial risk of death or serious harm to Alan Hall.

Coady had previously been charged with murdering Hall and with arson with intent to endanger life. The State accepted his plea to the lesser charge. Prosecutor Roisin Lacey SC said the State would enter a nolle prosequi, a decision not to proceed, in relation to other counts.

At a hearing on 24 July 2023, Ms Lacey said Coady accepted that he had assaulted Hall, causing minor harm and exposing him to the risk of serious harm. Coady said he took no part in setting the fire, was unaware of it and might not have been present when it was set.

Detective Garda Darragh Kenny agreed with defence counsel Giollaíosa Ó Lideadha SC that the prosecution could prove Coady was present, but could not prove that he caused serious harm, helped another person cause serious harm or started the fire. The garda also agreed that, after the death of co-accused Conor Curran, there was no possibility of other material arising in that regard.

Mr Ó Lideadha asked Mr Justice Tony Hunt to consider partially suspending any prison sentence. The judge said there would have to be some element of custody and remanded Coady in custody until a sentencing hearing on 2 October 2023.