Matthew Bell jailed for helping murder gang escape

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

Matthew Bell was sentenced to nine years and three months, with the final 15 months suspended, at the Central Criminal Court on 14 March 2022 for helping a gang escape after John Gibson’s murder.

Bell drove the gunmen away from a burning getaway car after Gibson was shot in the car park at City West Shopping Centre on 18 September 2017.

The judge said Bell’s use of his mother’s car showed his lack of suitability for his role in the gang. Bell had pleaded guilty to participating in or contributing to Gibson’s murder, intending to facilitate a criminal organisation’s activities.