Michael Carroll jailed for firearm offence and attempted murder

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

Michael Carroll was sentenced to a total of 24 years and six months, with the final two years and six months suspended, leaving 22 years to serve. The Special Criminal Court sentenced him on 2 October 2023 for a firearm offence and attempted murder.

Carroll, of Bride Street, Dublin 8, was originally charged with attempting to murder John Hutch at his Drumalee Avenue home on 2 September 2016. He instead pleaded guilty to possessing or controlling a firearm with intent to endanger life at that location.

He was also charged with twice attempting to murder Edward Staunton on 26 March 2017, at James Joyce Street and at Peadar Kearney House on Railway Street, Dublin. Carroll pleaded guilty to the Railway Street charge.

The report said Carroll ran Staunton over before shooting him as he lay on the ground awaiting help. Mr Justice Tony Hunt said Carroll had fired four shots, hitting Staunton twice in the lower body. Staunton was admitted to intensive care and later recovered.

Mr Justice Hunt, sitting with Judge Elma Sheahan and Judge Alan Mitchell, imposed 10 years and six months for the firearm offence and a consecutive 14 years for attempted murder. The court suspended the final two years and six months to encourage Carroll’s rehabilitation.

The court had heard that Carroll wanted to ingratiate himself with the Kinahan/Byrne faction and was believed to be under pressure to repay a drug debt arising from his addictions. His counsel, Giollaíosa Ó Lideadha SC, asked the court to suspend part of the sentence, saying Carroll could have a positive future with the right help.