Sean Connolly given life term for Real IRA murder of Eamon Kelly

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

Sean Connolly received a life sentence from the Special Criminal Court for the Real IRA murder of Eamon Kelly. The proceedings were reported on 1 May 2015.

Connolly pleaded guilty on 28 April 2015. He admitted murdering Kelly on 4 December 2012 at Furry Park Road in Killester.

The court heard that Kelly was returning from Ladbrokes betting shop in Killester when Connolly fired four shots into his back. Connolly’s arrest followed 20 minutes later, while he was approaching the entrance to Clontarf Castle.

Evidence outlined in court linked firearms residue on Connolly to eight spent 9mm cartridges recovered at the scene. The court also heard that traces of accelerant on his shoes matched the substance used to set fire to a black Lexus involved in the killing. After his arrest, Connolly admitted his involvement in the murder to gardaí.

Mr Justice Paul Butler presided over the three-judge court, which sat without a jury. He described the killing as heinous and explained that the mandatory sentence left the court with no discretion over the penalty.