In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, Dean Fitzsimons, aged 19, was sentenced to seven years' imprisonment for multiple firearm offences, including possession of a semi‑automatic pistol, a silencer and seven rounds of ammunition on Waterford Road, Blanchardstown, on 28 May, and for being a passenger in a stolen car on 23 June. His father, Kenneth Fitzsimons, aged 39, received a five‑and‑a‑half‑year sentence for two counts of firearm possession, dangerous driving, driving a stolen car and resisting arrest, all committed on 23 June. The court noted that Kenneth had been stabbed earlier that year by individuals threatening Dean, and that he had driven a stolen vehicle at high speed, narrowly missing a Garda, before being stopped and arrested. Both men were arrested and have remained in custody since. Dean has a one‑year‑old child and five prior convictions; Kenneth has two other children, including a newborn, and one prior larceny conviction. Dean Fitzsimons pleaded guilty.
In a court hearing on 2 December 2019, Robert Lawlor, aged 35, pleaded not guilty to several charges, including attempted murder of Fiona Mitchell, possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life, and a threat to kill or cause serious harm to Fiona Mitchell and her son Derek Mitchell. Lawlor denied threatening to kill Derek Mitchell or shooting at Fiona Mitchell's kitchen. He claimed that Derek Mitchell had allowed Kane McCormack, whom he alleged was linked to the Hutch‑Kinahan feud, to hide in his garden shed before McCormack was shot dead in December 2017. Lawlor also accused his former partner Rachel Kirwan of being a "dirty, smelly knacker" and described her as a "sick woman." He said he had no involvement in the shooting and that the allegations were "crazy." The case was before Justice Paul McDermott with a jury of seven men and five women.
In the Central Criminal Court trial, 35‑year‑old Robert Lawlor denies attempting to murder Fiona Mitchell on 26 May 2018 and denies threatening her son Derek. Mitchell, who confirmed her son's childhood friend Kane McCormack was shot dead 18 months earlier, says she does not know if McCormack was involved in the Hutch‑Kinahan feud. She also denies claims that her home is a "half‑way house" of partying and drug use. Witnesses include a taxi driver who met Lawlor on the night of the alleged shooting and a Garda who observed Lawlor's agitation at his home. Lawlor has pleaded not guilty to attempted murder, possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life, a threat to Rachel Kirwan, and shooting a dog. The trial proceeds before Justice Paul McDermott and a jury of twelve.
In the Central Criminal Court, Robert Lawlor, 35, pleaded not guilty to attempted murder, firearm possession, a threat to Rachel Kirwan, and shooting a dog. Detective Sergeant Noel Smith testified that Lawlor was seen in black clothing, agitated and aggressive on the evening of the shooting. Smith described Lawlor's erratic behaviour, his confrontation with Gardaí, and his departure from home, prompting Smith to contact Kirwan and the Armed Support Unit. Kirwan, who had been in a relationship with Lawlor and later with Fiona Mitchell's son Derek, broke down during questioning about photographs of Derek. She refused to answer questions about the photos, stating her life was worth more than the images. The trial remains before a jury.
Keith Murtagh, 35, of Mariner's Port, Sheriff Street, Dublin, was sentenced to 12 years' imprisonment for armed robbery of the Roebuck post office on 5 January 2016. He had pleaded not guilty to robbery, possession of a shotgun and possession of a shotgun cartridge. A 10‑day trial at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court ended with unanimous guilty verdicts on all charges. Judge Melanie Greally noted the pre‑meditated nature of the offence, the discharge of a firearm, and Murtagh's prior conviction for a similar offence. She credited him for voluntarily meeting Gardaí, providing a DNA sample, his difficult childhood, his charitable activities and his efforts to improve himself in prison. The sentence was back‑dated to his first custody date in November 2017. The robbery involved two men, one armed with a handgun and one with a shotgun, who stole €2,754 from the post office and €420 from a fine‑food shop on the premises.
The Special Criminal Court heard evidence in the ongoing trial of Liam Brannigan, who is charged with conspiring to murder Gary Hanley between September 15th and November 6th, 2017. Brannigan has pleaded not guilty. The court examined audio from a secret listening device placed on a Volkswagen caddy on November 3rd, 2017, during an investigation into the Kinahan cartel. Surveillance officers previously identified Joseph Kelly driving the vehicle and later walking with Alan Wilson. Both Kelly and Wilson, along with Luke Wilson, have already pleaded guilty to conspiring to murder Mr. Hanley and have been jailed. The recording captured two men discussing plans to purchase vodka, Red Bull, cocaine, and Viagra. One man complained that cocaine was negating the effect of the Viagra and making him paranoid. The court also heard testimony regarding a previous incident where a man was hospitalized after a binge involving whiskey and cocaine. Luke Wilson and Joseph Kelly were arrested on November 6th, 2017, when the vehicle was stopped in Dublin 3, leading to the seizure of a 9mm Beretta pistol. The trial continues.
In a Special Criminal Court hearing, audio from a covert listening device in a white Volkswagen caddy van revealed two men, Luke Wilson and Joseph Kelly, discussing a planned murder of Gary Hanley. The clip, recorded on 2 November 2017, shows the men frustrated by navigation issues and planning how to approach Hanley's home, including the possibility of shooting a woman and child if they obstructed them. One man repeatedly stated, "Baby or no baby, I don't give a fuck," and expressed willingness to shoot police if present. The court heard that the men had been arrested on 6 November 2017, with a 9mm Beretta pistol seized. The accused, Liam Brannigan, pleaded not guilty, while Wilson, Kelly and Alan Wilson had already pleaded guilty and been jailed for the conspiracy. The hearing focused on the audio evidence and the men's intent to carry out the attack.
In the trial of Robert Lawlor, accused of attempting to murder Fiona Mitchell on 26 May 2018, Mitchell denies that she misidentified Lawlor. She says she saw him through her kitchen window holding a gun, ran out, locked the door, and heard two loud bangs before her dog was later found dead. Lawlor's counsel, Patrick McGrath, argued that Mitchell was "obsessed" with him and had stalked him online, but Mitchell insists she never messaged him and that she did see him that night. Rachel Kirwan, a former partner of Lawlor, recounts their relationship, their children, and a 2018 garden incident where she told Lawlor to leave. Kirwan also recalls a phone call from Mitchell before the shooting. Lawlor has pleaded not guilty to attempted murder, possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life, a threat to Kirwan, and shooting a dog. The judge will not require the jury until Thursday.
Graham Corbally, aged 44, was convicted by a jury in the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court on 22 October 2019 after a seven‑day trial for unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition. The offence occurred on 18 January 2017 at Johnstown Gardens, Finglas, when Gardaí discovered Corbally in possession of an unloaded 22‑gauge Winchester sawn‑off shotgun and a white rubber glove containing three 12‑gauge shotgun cartridges. Corbally fled from Gardaí, throwing the package over garden walls and climbing into multiple rear gardens before being apprehended. Forensic DNA matched the firearm and glove to Corbally; fingerprints yielded no evidence. He had 42 prior convictions, including robbery, false imprisonment, drug possession and knife possession. Corbally pleaded not guilty, was sentenced to five and a half years, with the final six months suspended and the sentence back‑dated to 22 October 2019. He was acquitted of an alleged threat‑to‑kill charge.
In the Special Criminal Court, a surveillance garda told a barrister that it was "disgusting" to suggest their evidence was unreliable. The case concerns Liam Brannigan (37) of Bride Street, Dublin 8, charged with conspiracy to murder Gary Hanley between 15 September and 6 November 2017. Brannigan pleaded not guilty. The court heard that Brannigan was arrested minutes after a loaded semi‑automatic pistol was seized during the arrest of two men near Hanley's home on 6 November 2017. Twenty surveillance officers gave evidence about observations of Brannigan and three men who had pleaded guilty to the plot and were jailed – Luke Wilson (24), Joseph Kelly (35) and Alan Wilson (39). The garda testified that on 6 October 2017 he saw Brannigan in the front passenger seat of a black Renault Laguna, but the barrister questioned the reliability of the identification and the absence of notes.
A 35‑year‑old man, Robert Lawlor, pleaded not guilty to attempted murder of Fiona Mitchell, possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life, a threat to Rachel Kirwan, and shooting a dog. The Central Criminal Court heard that the attempted murder occurred on 26 May 2018 at Moatview Avenue, Priorswood, when Lawlor, armed, entered Mitchell's garden, fired a shot that shattered the patio door, and fired again as she fled. Mitchell escaped through the front door; Gardaí arrived but the gunman and a second man had fled. A dog that had been barking and raising the alarm was shot dead. Lawlor's alleged motive was that Mitchell's son, Derek, was in a relationship with Lawlor's former partner, Rachel Kirwan, a relationship Lawlor could not accept. The trial continues before Mr Justice Paul McDermott.
The Special Criminal Court heard evidence in the trial of Liam Brannigan, 37, of Bride Street, Dublin 8, who is charged with conspiring to murder Gary Hanley between September 15th and November 6th, 2017. Brannigan has pleaded not guilty. The court heard that a National Surveillance Unit garda observed Brannigan driving a white Volkswagen Caddy van in the Suir Road area on October 3rd, 2017. This vehicle was later linked to the arrest of two men on November 6th, 2017, during which a 9mm Beretta pistol and silencer were seized. The defence argued that the garda's failure to record weather conditions or distance hindered the ability to test the identification. The court also noted that Luke Wilson, 24, Joseph Kelly, 35, and Alan Wilson, 39, have already pleaded guilty to conspiring to murder Mr Hanley. Luke Wilson, who also admitted unlawful possession of a handgun with intent to endanger life, was sentenced to 11 years. Joseph Kelly, who also admitted a weapons charge, was jailed for a total of 12 years, while Alan Wilson received a six-year sentence. These sentences were handed down following their guilty pleas, distinct from the ongoing trial of Brannigan.
A witness in the Special Criminal Court has testified that the shooting of dissident republican Peter Butterly in Gormanston, County Meath on 6 March 2013 was an "IRA operation". David Cullen, now in the Witness Protection Program, gave evidence in trials of Laurence Murphy and Ray Kennedy, both charged with membership of an unlawful organisation styling itself the IRA. Mr Kennedy also faces a charge of perverting the course of justice. Cullen said he was asked to dispose of a firearm immediately after the shooting and that he knew beforehand someone would be targeted, though not the victim's identity. He recovered the gun near Gormanston College and was arrested shortly after. Four men have previously received life sentences for Mr Butterly's murder, while two others received custodial sentences. During proceedings, Justice Tara Burns ruled on disclosure issues concerning Cullen's earlier statement that Mr Murphy was "never a member of the IRA", which defence counsel argued was belatedly provided. Laurence Murphy pleaded not guilty. Peter Butterly pleaded not guilty.
Robert Glynn, 42, of Knockmore Park, Tallaght, pleaded guilty to threatening to kill and possessing a firearm after pulling a gun on his sister‑in‑law, Suzanne Campbell, during a family dispute. On 10 March, Glynn confronted Campbell's partner outside her home, pointing a black modified handgun at him and threatening to shoot. Campbell pleaded with him not to fire, and he fled. Gardaí found the unloaded, unusable gun under Glynn's mattress. Glynn has 34 prior convictions, mainly traffic offences, plus criminal damage and larceny. He was in custody since March. Judge Martin Nolan sentenced him to three years' imprisonment, suspending the final two years on strict conditions and backdating the sentence to his initial custody date. The case was heard in the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, with Glynn's defence citing a "moment of madness.".
The Special Criminal Court heard evidence in the trial of Liam Brannigan (37), of Bride Street, Dublin 8, who is charged with conspiring to murder Gary Hanley between September 15th and November 6th, 2017. Mr Brannigan has pleaded not guilty. Defence counsel suggested to Sergeant David J Campbell of the Armed Support Unit that unnecessary force was used during Mr Brannigan's arrest at Hanover Court, Dublin 8, on November 6th, 2017. The sergeant acknowledged CCTV footage showed officers on top of the accused after he had raised his hands and dropped to all fours, though he stated they were effecting an arrest. Detective Garda Val Russell testified that he arrested Mr Brannigan after hearing a thud and shouting commands, noting the accused fully cooperated. The court previously heard that Luke Wilson (24) and Joseph Kelly (35) were arrested nearby in possession of a 9mm Beretta pistol, silencer, and ammunition. Mr Wilson and Mr Kelly have pleaded guilty to conspiring to murder Mr Hanley. Luke Wilson, who also pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of a Beretta handgun with intent to endanger life, was jailed for 11 years. Alan Wilson (39), who pleaded guilty to conspiring to murder Mr Hanley, was jailed for six years. Joseph Kelly, who also admitted a weapons charge, was jailed for a total of 12 years.
In 2016, Marcus O'Rourke (39) and Brian O'Sullivan (33) robbed the Waterville Post Office in County Kerry, pointing a firearm at postmistress Lisa O'Reilly Foran and using a crowbar. They stole €4,000–€5,000, broke a glass pane, and activated a panic alarm. Two Dutch tourists witnessed the event. After the robbery, the pair fled in a Mazda, driving at high speed on the narrow Ring of Kerry road, and later reversed into a Garda car, damaging it and endangering officers. Gardaí, believing the firearm was real, opened fire during the chase. Both men had prior convictions (43 for O'Rourke, 52 for O'Sullivan) but none of comparable gravity. They were sentenced to nine years' imprisonment, with the final two years suspended, and the sentence was upheld on appeal as appropriate for the seriousness of the offence. The nine‑year term was made consecutive to three‑year terms for separate drug offences. Marcus O'Rourke pleaded guilty. Brian O'Sullivan pleaded guilty.
The Special Criminal Court has adjourned the trial of Laurence Murphy and Ray Kennedy, who both pleaded not guilty to membership of an unlawful organisation. The court heard that Dave Cullen, a State's witness in the Peter Butterly murder case, was not prosecuted for alleged perjury due to fears he would not return to Ireland from a protection program abroad. Cullen had previously pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm in suspicious circumstances. The trial, presided over by Ms Justice Tara Burns, was paused after the defence requested documentation regarding the decision not to prosecute Cullen. The matter was adjourned until tomorrow. In related proceedings, Kevin Braney was found guilty of premeditated murder and sentenced to life imprisonment. Frank Murphy, brother of the accused Laurence Murphy, pleaded guilty to impeding the apprehension of Cullen and was jailed for three years, with the final year suspended. Michael McDermott, who played a role in the murder, has also been jailed. The court noted that Cullen's evidence was used in the convictions of four individuals for Butterly's murder.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, Keith Murtagh, 35, of Mariners' Port, Sheriff Street, was set to be sentenced for his alleged role in the armed robbery of the Roebuck post office on 5 January 2016. Murtagh had pleaded not guilty to robbery, possession of a shotgun and possession of a shotgun cartridge. A ten‑day trial in July concluded with a jury finding him guilty on all counts. Detective Garda Lisa McHugh recounted that two men entered the post office, one armed with a handgun and the other with a shotgun, who fired two blasts into a glass partition before Murtagh allegedly climbed over the desk into the back of the office. The robbery yielded €2,754 from the post office and €420 from a fine‑food shop on the premises. Murtagh's defence, Garnet Orange SC, highlighted his long prison history and charitable activities, yet acknowledged the evidence presented.
Liam Brannigan, 37, of Dublin 8, is on trial at the Special Criminal Court, having pleaded not guilty to conspiring to murder Gary Hanley between September 15th and November 6th, 2017. The court heard evidence from Detective Superintendent William Johnson regarding the deployment of listening devices on five vehicles, including a Seat and a Volkswagen caddy, allegedly used by Brannigan and associates. Johnson stated the surveillance was part of an investigation into the Kinahan Organised Crime Gang. The prosecution alleges the Nissan Primastar and Renault Laguna were used for surveillance and transport in the plot. The court also heard that Luke Wilson, 24, and Joseph Kelly, 35, were arrested after their vehicle was stopped on November 6th, 2017, during which a 9mm Beretta pistol and silencer were seized. Wilson and Kelly have previously pleaded guilty to conspiring to murder Hanley and unlawful possession of the handgun. Wilson was sentenced to 11 years, Kelly to 12 years, and Alan Wilson, 39, who also pleaded guilty to the conspiracy and weapons charges, was sentenced to six years. The trial continues before Mr Justice Paul Coffey.
Keegan Davidson, 25, was sentenced to three years in prison, with the final two years suspended, for laundering €104,107 obtained through an "invoice redirection" fraud. He supplied his bank account details to a criminal gang that used them to receive payments from a bogus email sent to an engineering company. Davidson withdrew about €43,759 from various bureaux de change and post offices in Dublin, converting portions to British pounds and US dollars. He pleaded guilty to four offences under the 2010 Money Laundering Act for transferring or converting money knowing it was the proceeds of crime. The court noted he had no evidence of involvement in the fraud beyond laundering, and that the bank recovered roughly €46,000 from his account. Davidson's prior convictions include possession of knives, public order, theft, trespass, and a suspended sentence for possession of a sawn‑off shotgun. The judge acknowledged his efforts at rehabilitation and imposed the suspended sentence on conditions.
Gavin Sheehan, aged 31, was convicted on 15 May 2016 of possessing a firearm and ammunition, recklessly discharging a firearm, and assault causing serious harm to Ciara Sheehan, a woman who was not related to him. The offence involved firing a handgun through a house window in Cork city, striking Ciara in the neck. Sheehan received a 14‑year prison sentence, with the final three years suspended, imposed by Judge Seán Ó Donnabháin on 14 February 2017. He has now applied to appeal the sentence. In the appeal, Patrick McGrath SC argued that the case relied on circumstantial evidence and that forensic evidence linking the bullet to the firearm was lacking. He highlighted that the bullet casing was found several houses away, that CCTV and 999 call times conflicted, and that some video evidence was of poor quality. The Court of Appeal, presided over by Mr Justice John Edwards, has reserved its judgment.
In a 2016 robbery at Woodbine Park Post Office, Glen Kavanagh (44) held a loaded Makarov pistol to a customer's head, fired eight shots, and attempted to escape. An ESB repairman tackled him, kicking the raider's ankle and causing the gun to fly, striking an ESB colleague on the head. The incident, described as an "aggressive struggle," resulted in €455 stolen and the recovery of the pistol and cartridges. Kavanagh pleaded guilty to robbery and unlawful possession of a firearm. Judge Melanie Greally sentenced him to 12 years' imprisonment, with the final two years suspended, and ordered concurrent service with a ten‑year firearms sentence, both backdated to 1 January 2018. The sentence includes strict conditions and 18 months of probation post‑release. Kavanagh's drug‑related history and lack of memory of the raid were noted by the court. The case was heard in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court on 11 October 2019. Glen Kavanagh was convicted.
The trial of Liam Brannigan, accused of conspiring to murder Gary Hanley between September 15 and November 6, 2017, continued before a non-jury court. Brannigan, who has pleaded not guilty, faces charges of conspiracy and unlawful possession of a firearm. The court reviewed CCTV footage allegedly showing a white Nissan Primastar van and a black Renault Laguna surveilling Hanley's home in late October 2017. Prosecution counsel Seán Gillane SC stated these vehicles were used as "spotter cars" for surveillance and to ferry co-conspirators. Footage from November 6, 2017, depicted Brannigan's arrest at Hanover Court, where he allegedly discarded a phone and an illuminated item before being apprehended. The court also heard evidence regarding the arrest of Luke Wilson and Joseph Kelly on the same night, during which a 9mm Beretta pistol, silencer, and ammunition were seized. Wilson and Kelly have previously pleaded guilty to conspiring to murder Hanley. Luke Wilson, who also admitted to unlawful possession of the handgun with intent to endanger life, was jailed for 11 years. Alan Wilson, who pleaded guilty to conspiracy, received a six-year sentence. Joseph Kelly, who also admitted a weapons charge, was jailed for a total of 12 years. The trial continues.
A court has heard that secretly recorded conversations involving Liam Brannigan (37) from Bride Street, Dublin 8, will be presented as evidence in his trial for conspiring to murder Gary Hanley between September 15th and November 6th, 2017. Brannigan entered a 'not guilty' plea during his arraignment in the Special Criminal Court. Three men who previously pleaded guilty to conspiring to murder Mr Hanley have already been jailed: Luke Wilson (24), Alan Wilson (39), and Joseph Kelly (35). Luke Wilson was jailed for 11 years for unlawful possession of a Beretta handgun with intent to endanger life, Alan Wilson received six years, and Joseph Kelly was jailed for 12 years. The prosecution will rely on seized phones, vehicles, and audio recordings from a Garda surveillance operation to prove Brannigan's involvement in the plot. The trial will include evidence of detailed discussions about how Mr Hanley was to be shot, how they would react to resistance, and how they would escape. The court will also hear about the arrest of Joseph Kelly and Luke Wilson, during which a semi-automatic pistol, a sound suppressor, and petrol were found. The trial continues tomorrow.
A trial date has not yet been set for Alan Wilson, a 40‑year‑old Dublin man charged with three counts of attempted murder in the 2010 shooting at the Players Lounge pub in Fairview, Dublin 3. Wilson is accused of attempting to kill Brian Masterson, Wayne Barrett and Austin Purcell on 26 July 2010. He is also charged with possession of a .38 Special Smith & Wesson revolver, a .32 Auto Zastava semi‑automatic pistol, and ammunition for both firearms, all with intent to endanger life. In a hearing before a three‑judge panel, Wilson told the gardai he had "absolutely nothing to do with these allegations." Defence counsel James Dwyer SC said his side were not ready for trial, noting the case involved an extensive investigation and ongoing disclosure of material. The Director of Public Prosecutions' counsel, Seán Gillane SC, said much material had already been disclosed.
A 36‑year‑old man named Derek Devoy has been ordered to stand trial before the Special Criminal Court, a non‑jury court, after the Director of Public Prosecutions applied for a Section 49 order. The court, composed of three judges, will hear the case on 8 October. Devoy was previously charged at Dublin District Court in March with possession of a RAK‑PM63 submachine gun, a Yugoslavian M75 hand grenade, a 9mm Makarov PM63 submachine gun, and 11 rounds of 9mm ammunition, all with intent to endanger life or cause serious injury. He is also charged under the Public Order Act for assaulting a garda and a garda sergeant on the same day. The court has accepted the DPP's request that the ordinary courts are inadequate to secure effective justice in this matter. The case will proceed in the Special Criminal Court.
A 54-year-old woman from Dublin has received a fully suspended five-year sentence at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for storing over €192,000 worth of drugs at her home. Catherine Byrne pleaded guilty to possession of drugs for sale or supply on May 29, 2018. Her co-accused, Robert Yeates, aged 32, also pleaded guilty to possession of a shotgun at a location in Finglas North on the same date. The court heard that Byrne became involved in the offence to settle her daughter's drug debt after threats were made against her family. Judge Martin Nolan found her culpability low, noting she acted under duress to protect her daughter from serious individuals. Yeates received a three-and-a-half-year suspended sentence conditional on keeping the peace and maintaining good behaviour for that period. Byrne has 21 previous convictions for road traffic offences, while Yeates has two similar prior convictions.
Dean Howe, 34, of Oakfield Place, Dublin 8, was returned for trial to the Special Criminal Court on a charge of conspiring to murder Gary Hanley. The DPP applied for the transfer, arguing ordinary courts were inadequate, and the order was granted by Mr Justice Tony Hunt, sitting with Judges Martin Nolan and Ann Ryan. Howe is the fifth person charged in the alleged plot. At the same hearing, Alan Wilson, 40, of New Street Gardens, Dublin 8, was sentenced to six years after admitting to conspiring with Luke Wilson and others to murder Mr Hanley between September 15 and November 6, 2017. Joseph Kelly, 39, of Kilworth Road, Drimnagh, Dublin 12, was also jailed for six years for admitting to the same conspiracy. Kelly received a concurrent 12-year sentence for pleading guilty to possessing a 9mm Beretta semi-automatic pistol with intent to endanger life at Philipsburgh Avenue, Marino, Dublin 3, on November 6, 2017. Previously, Luke Wilson, 23, of Cremona Road, Ballyfermot, Dublin 10, was sentenced to 11 years for unlawful possession of a Beretta handgun with intent to endanger life at Philipsburgh Avenue, Fairview, Dublin 3, on the same date. Wilson also received a concurrent six-year sentence for admitting to conspiring to murder Mr Hanley. All sentences for Kelly and Wilson were ordered to run concurrently.
A book of evidence was served at the Special Criminal Court on Alan Wilson, a 40‑year‑old Dublin resident, who faces three attempted‑murder charges for an incident at The Players Lounge pub on 26 July 2010. Wilson is accused of attempting to kill Brian Masterson, Wayne Barrett and Austin Purcell, and of possessing a .38 Special Smith & Wesson revolver, a .32 Auto Zastava pistol and corresponding ammunition with intent to endanger life. During the brief hearing, the court remanded Wilson in custody until 7 October, when his case will be mentioned again.
Michael Brady, aged 54, was sentenced by the Special Criminal Court to eight years and six months' imprisonment, with the final 18 months suspended, for possession of €1.25 million worth of heroin found in the base of a bed at an apartment in Sallins Bridge, Naas, on 24 January 2017. The judge noted that Brady was trusted by a criminal gang to look after the heroin, but was not involved in buying, selling or planning criminal activity. Brady was found not guilty of possessing cocaine, cannabis, an assault rifle and ammunition, and the charge of possessing three ammunition magazines was withdrawn. Brady denied all charges and claimed he only looked after dogs belonging to his brother, Declan Brady, who was jailed for 10 ½ years for supervising a firearms arsenal. The sentence was back‑dated to 12 April 2017, the date of Brady's initial custody. Michael Brady was found guilty.
Alan Wilson, aged 40, was sentenced by the Special Criminal Court to six years' imprisonment, back‑dated to 6 November 2017, for conspiring to murder Gary Hanley. Wilson's role involved planning the attack, instructing co‑accused Joseph Kelly and Luke Wilson on routes, vehicle destruction and the method of killing. Wilson also received a six‑year concurrent sentence for conspiracy to murder and a 12‑year sentence for possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life, the latter suspended for three years. Joseph Kelly, aged 39, received a six‑year concurrent sentence for conspiracy to murder and a 12‑year sentence for firearm possession, with 18 months suspended for a period of three years. The sentences were imposed concurrently and back‑dated to the date of Kelly's initial custody. The court noted Wilson's early guilty plea and lack of prior convictions as mitigating factors. The judge highlighted the Gardaí's intervention as preventing the planned murder.
Michael Geoghegan, 36, a former Crufts best dog handler, was placed on a probation bond after pleading guilty to three knife‑point robberies in Swords, north Dublin. The judge, Patricia Ryan, adjourned his sentence to January, citing his efforts to address drug and alcohol addiction and a probation report supporting his rehabilitation. Geoghegan handed €2,500 as a gesture of remorse to be divided among the victims. He had previously admitted to producing a large kitchen knife and an iron drill bit to intimidate victims and resisting arrest. The court noted his past convictions for robbery with an imitation firearm (2005) and drug offences. He threatened a Garda with a knife during the arrests, but the officer used a baton to disarm him. The case remains pending, with the sentence to be decided next year.
Jamie McBride, a 19‑year‑old father of two from Melrose Lawn, Clonadkin, Dublin, pleaded guilty in the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to robbery and three attempted robberies committed between 26 February and 1 April 2018. He was sentenced to six years' imprisonment, with the final 12 months suspended on strict conditions. The court heard that on 26 February he confronted a woman leaving a train station, brandishing a weapon and demanding her handbag, then withdrew €596 from her account using a bank card; the money was later reimbursed. On 30 March he tried to snatch a bag from another woman, striking her up to 15 times with a stick‑like object and causing hand injuries. The next day he threatened a KFC cashier with a knife and tried to steal money from the register, but failed. He also entered a Ladbrokes bookmaker holding a firearm‑like object and presented a bag to the cashier, who fled.
Paul Beatty, 32, of Eugene Street, Dublin 8, was arrested on 2 June 2018 with a loaded .38 special calibre Smith & Wesson revolver wrapped in a plastic bag and five rounds of ammunition. He had previously served a seven‑year sentence in 2010 for possession of a firearm and ammunition in suspicious circumstances. The Special Criminal Court, presided over by Mr Justice Tony Hunt, found that Beatty's conduct was "clearly intended" to evade Gardaí and that he was an "important and trusted member" of an organised crime gang. The judge imposed a headline sentence of ten years, reduced by 25 % for his early guilty plea, and ultimately sentenced Beatty to seven and a half years' imprisonment, back‑dated to the date of his arrest. The sentence reflects the gravity of the offence and Beatty's extensive criminal history, including 71 prior convictions. The court noted that no further mitigation was appropriate for a repeat offender.
The Special Criminal Court heard sentencing submissions for Alan Wilson and Joseph Kelly, who are accused of conspiring to murder Gary Hanley and possessing a 9mm Beretta pistol with intent to endanger life. Both men pleaded guilty to the conspiracy charge, while Kelly also admitted to the firearm possession. The court heard evidence of secret recordings where Wilson instructed Kelly to kill Hanley, and surveillance of reconnaissance trips to plan the attack. Wilson, who has no prior convictions, expressed remorse in a letter to the court, while Kelly, who has 64 previous convictions, cited drug addiction and a difficult background as mitigating factors. Mr Justice Tony Hunt, presiding with Judges Martin Nolan and Ann Ryan, remanded both defendants in custody until July 29, when they will be sentenced. The matter was adjourned and is not yet concluded. Luke Wilson, Alan Wilson's nephew, was previously sentenced to 11 years for the same firearm charge and a concurrent six years for the conspiracy.
Two Limerick men, John O'Donoghue (29) and Paul Whelan (25), were sentenced by the Special Criminal Court to a combined 21 years after armed Gardaí stopped their car and found a loaded 9mm Colt pistol with eight rounds, a petrol canister, latex gloves, clothes and cocaine. The judge, Ms Justice Tara Burns, described the operation as carefully planned, noting the pistol was primed with a round in the breach and an accelerant was present, indicating intent to use the gun and possibly burn the vehicle to destroy evidence. Both men had pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm in suspicious circumstances, for which each received a five‑year sentence. The headline sentences were 12 years each, but after mitigating factors the court imposed 11 years for O'Donoghue and 10½ years for Whelan, backdated to 13 July 2018. The lesser sentences were also imposed for the firearms charges. The court highlighted the men's prior convictions and the seriousness of the offence.
In a Special Criminal Court hearing on 15 July 2019, the court was informed that a three‑man hit‑for‑hire team, including an Afghan war veteran, had planned to murder Patrick "Patsy" Hutch at his Champion's Avenue home. The team—Gary Thompson (34), his brother Glen Thompson (24), and Robert Browne (35)—were intercepted by Gardaí just 250 metres from the target's residence. They possessed four firearms: a 9mm Rak sub‑machine gun, a .38 Special Rossi revolver, a 9mm Beretta 92 pistol and a 9mm Makarov pistol. Garda surveillance revealed a detailed plan involving a van parked at Belmont Hall Apartments, a getaway vehicle at Stoney Road, and a "looker" to signal the target's departure. On 10 March 2018, Gardaí conducted an armed intervention, arresting the men and seizing weapons, a fob, gloves, a wig, mobile phones, and other items. The defendants were remanded in custody pending sentencing on 29 July.
A Dublin man, Michael Brady (54), will be sentenced at the Special Criminal Court later this month for possessing €1.25 million worth of heroin. Brady was found guilty in June of possessing the drugs at an apartment in Sallins Bridge, Sallins, Naas, Co Kildare, on January 24, 2017. The trial heard that heroin, cocaine, and cannabis were found at the premises, along with a 7.62 x 39mm calibre VZ 58 assault rifle and various ammunition. Brady was found not guilty of possessing the cocaine and cannabis, and had earlier been found not guilty of possessing the assault rifle by direction of the court. Another charge accusing him of possessing three ammunition magazines was withdrawn by the State. Brady had denied all charges. At a sentence hearing, Brady's barrister, Dominic McGinn SC, said his client was not significantly involved in 'this criminal organisation' and his involvement in looking after the consignment of drugs was at the 'lowest end'. Brady was remanded in custody until the sentencing date of July 29. Declan Brady (53), Michael Brady's brother, was jailed for 10-and-a-half years today for minding an 'arsenal' of firearms and ammunition at Unit 52, Block 503, Grants Drive, Greenogue Business Park, Rathcoole, Co Dublin. The court found that Declan Brady was tasked by senior criminal figures abroad to supervise the arsenal, which was assembled to 'support and sustain organised crime of the most serious nature'.
A Dublin man has been convicted of armed robbery at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court following a trial spanning ten days. Keith Murtagh, aged 34, was found guilty on all three charges relating to a post office raid on Farmhill Road, Goatstown on January 5, 2016. The jury returned unanimous verdicts after deliberating for just under four hours. Murtagh had pleaded not guilty to the robbery of €3,174.54, possession of a shotgun, and possession of a shotgun cartridge. Evidence presented included DNA found on a shotgun cartridge recovered from an abandoned vehicle 400 metres from the post office. Forensic analysis also identified glass fragments matching material from the post office counter on clothing discovered in a separate vehicle. The court heard the raid involved two armed men who discharged a shot during the incident. Sentencing has been scheduled for October 18, with Murtagh remanded in custody pending that date.
Declan Brady, 53, of Celbridge, Co Kildare, was sentenced to 11-and-a-half years imprisonment by the Special Criminal Court for possessing an arsenal of firearms and ammunition in suspicious circumstances. Brady, known as 'Mr Nobody', pleaded guilty to possessing nine revolvers, four semi-automatic pistols, a sub-machine gun, an assault rifle, and 1,355 rounds of ammunition at a fake business premises in Rathcoole, Co Dublin. The court found he was in overall charge of the cache, which was assembled to support organised crime. His headline sentence of 14 years was reduced due to his timely guilty plea, lack of relevant previous convictions, and good behaviour in custody. The final year of his sentence was suspended on condition he enters a good behaviour bond. The sentence was backdated to January 24, 2017. Two co-accused, Jonathan Harding, 45, of Sallins, Co Kildare, and James Walsh, 33, of Clondalkin, Dublin 22, were previously sentenced to 10 years and nine years imprisonment respectively, with the final year of each sentence suspended. The court noted that Brady received instructions from senior criminal figures abroad to maintain the weapons, which were found ready for imminent use during a surveillance operation.
A man accused of armed robbery at a Dublin post office in January 2016 has pleaded not guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. Keith Murtagh, aged 34, is charged with robbing €3,174.54 from Roebuck post office on Farmhill Road, Goatstown, along with possession of a shotgun and shotgun cartridge. The prosecution alleges that two armed men arrived in a blue Subaru Impreza and demanded money and safe access, with one discharging a shotgun at the counter. The State's case relies partly on forensic evidence: tracksuit trousers found in a Renault Scenic vehicle, in which Mr Murtagh was a passenger days later, contained glass fragments matching those from the post office counter. A shotgun cartridge recovered from the abandoned getaway vehicle bore the defendant's DNA. The defence argues the evidence is circumstantial and suggests confirmation bias in the investigation. The trial before Judge Melanie Greally continues.
Micheal Geoghegan, 36, of Swords, pleaded guilty to three counts of robbery and production of a knife at Rathbeale Road, Swords, on August 18, 2018. He also admitted producing a large kitchen knife to intimidate and producing an iron drill bit and knife while resisting arrest. The Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard that the offences carry a potential maximum penalty of life imprisonment. Prosecution evidence detailed that Geoghegan robbed three women at knifepoint and subsequently threatened Detective Sergeant Alan Flaherty, who eventually disarmed him using a baton. Geoghegan has a previous conviction for robbery with an imitation firearm from 2005 and prior drug offences. Defence counsel Annette Kealy BL stated that Geoghegan is attempting to address his heroin addiction and had remained drug-free since the incidents. She also noted his past achievement as a best dog handler at Crufts. Geoghegan brought €2,500 to court as a token of remorse. After hearing the evidence, Judge Patricia Ryan adjourned the case to July 23 next for sentence.
Two Limerick men, John O'Donoghue (29) and Paul Whelan (25), were convicted by the Special Criminal Court of possessing a 9mm Colt semi‑automatic pistol with intent to endanger life after a Garda stop on 30 July 2018. The car, an Alfa Romeo, contained the loaded handgun, eight rounds in the magazine, a round in the breach, a petrol canister, latex gloves, clothes and cocaine. The judge, Ms Justice Tara Burns, noted that the firearm was primed and ready to fire, and that no fingerprints were found on it. Both men pleaded not guilty to the intent charge but guilty to possession of a firearm and ammunition in suspicious circumstances. They were remanded until sentencing on 29 July. The court emphasised that the only inference was that the firearm was intended to be used to endanger life.
Sean Banks, a 19‑year‑old from Tallaght, was found in possession of a 12‑gauge double‑barrel shotgun, cannabis, cocaine and a stolen BMW motorbike at his home. Gardaí raided the house after a tip that drugs were stored there. Banks initially denied the presence of drugs but later admitted responsibility for €725 worth of cannabis and cocaine. The shotgun, stolen in a burglary in Kildare, was discovered under a bed with one cartridge. The motorbike, stolen two months earlier in Stepaside, had no ignition or registration plate. Banks pleaded guilty to possession of the gun, drugs and the stolen motorbike. Judge Martin Nolan, noting Banks' youth, prior minor convictions and cooperation, imposed a three‑year sentence, suspended in full on strict conditions. The case was heard in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, with the judge emphasising the seriousness of the firearm possession but also recognising the defendant's potential for reform.
In a trial at the Central Criminal Court, Acting State Pathologist Dr Linda Mulligan testified that 25‑year‑old Vincent Ryan died from a gunshot wound that entered his head on the right side of the forehead, measuring 2.5 cm in diameter, and exited on the left side. A second bullet entered his right hand, and a third entered the back of his right shoulder, with an exit wound at the base of his neck. Toxicology showed no alcohol or drugs in his system. Dr Mulligan described complex skull fractures, brain swelling, and bleeding as the cause of death, with blood loss from the hand and shoulder wounds contributing. The trial also heard that Paul O'Beirne (36) and Jeffrey Morrow (37) pleaded not guilty to Ryan's murder. Detective Garda Ursula Cummins reported twelve 9mm cartridge cases and bullets at the scene, all from the same gun, though the specific firearm type could not be identified.
In a Special Criminal Court hearing on 26 June 2019, defence counsel Mark Nicholas SC argued that it was a "step too far" to infer that Limerick men John O'Donoghue (29) and Paul Whelan (25) intended to endanger life by possessing a 9mm Colt semi‑automatic pistol. He contended that the prosecution had only presented a set of circumstances and no evidence of intent, noting that possession of a firearm does not automatically imply intent under Section 15a of the Firearms Act. Nicholas highlighted the lack of surveillance recordings and the possibility of alternative unlawful uses of the gun, such as shooting at an empty house. He urged the three‑judge panel to be cautious, as the case did not "hang together quite like a West End production." The court remanded both men in custody until a judgment is delivered on 5 July. John O'Donoghue pleaded not guilty. Paul Whelan pleaded not guilty.
In a Special Criminal Court hearing, prosecutors argued that two Limerick men, John O'Donoghue (29) and Paul Whelan (25), were in possession of a 9mm Colt semi‑automatic pistol that was cocked, loaded and ready to fire, indicating intent to endanger life. The case was built on evidence from an Alfa Romeo seized by Gardaí, which contained the loaded handgun, eight rounds in the magazine, a round in the breach, two petrol canisters (one containing petrol), a pair of latex gloves, clothing and cocaine. The prosecution claimed the men had taken "serious precautions" to avoid leaving forensic traces and suggested a plan to destroy evidence by burning the car. Defence counsel countered that the presence of ammunition in the breach was not proof of a cocked gun and that the items could have been used for other criminal purposes, such as robbery. John O'Donoghue pleaded not guilty. Paul Whelan pleaded not guilty.
A Kildare man known as "Mr Nobody" pleaded guilty to possessing 15 lethal firearms and 1,355 rounds of ammunition at a Dublin business park. The Special Criminal Court heard that the weapons were supplied by senior criminals abroad. Gardaí recovered four loaded revolvers ready for imminent use, a sub‑machine gun, an assault rifle, four semi‑automatic pistols, two silencers and ten spare magazines. The defendant, Declan Brady, 53, was arrested on 24 January 2017 after a surveillance operation. He had seven prior convictions for road traffic offences and had received instructions from overseas figures. Brady's co‑accused, Jonathan Harding and James Walsh, had previously been sentenced to ten and nine years' imprisonment with one year suspended. The court noted the seriousness of the firearms and the lack of any innocent use. Brady was remanded in custody until 15 July, when he will be sentenced.
The Special Criminal Court has heard evidence in the trial of John O'Donoghue and Paul Whelan, who are accused of possessing a 9mm Colt semi-automatic pistol with intent to endanger life at Park Road, Limerick, on July 30, 2018. Both men, from Moyross, Limerick, have pleaded not guilty. Prosecution counsel Dominic McGinn SC stated the central issue is intention rather than possession, highlighting that Garda Robert Sheehy found a loaded handgun, cocaine, petrol canisters, and gloves in an Alfa Romeo stopped by the Emergency Response Unit. The court examined a "double set of clothing" worn by Mr. Whelan, who was wearing a grey Adidas hoodie under another hoodie and black tracksuit pants over grey Adidas pants. Mr. O'Donoghue was arrested under Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act. A statement from a Lithuanian national described a nervous man with metal teeth who attempted to purchase a car on July 27. Defence counsel Colman Cody SC noted that Mr. Whelan reported taking cocaine, Xanax, and cannabis prior to arrest and was referred to Limerick Regional Hospital. The prosecution contends that the combination of the firearm, petrol, and clothing supports an inference of intent to endanger life. The trial, presided over by Ms Justice Tara Burns with Judges Patricia Ryan and Flann Brennan, is expected to last one week and continues on Monday.
Two Limerick men, Paul Whelan (25) and John O'Donoghue (29), were stopped by Gardaí on 30 July 2018 in an Alfa Romeo on Park Road, Corbally. The vehicle contained a loaded 9mm Colt semi‑automatic pistol with eight rounds, two cans of petrol, a glove, a mobile phone and a change of clothing, including a double set of clothing worn by Whelan. Gardaí described the stop as involving multiple Garda vehicles; the Alfa Romeo rammed a Garda car and then reversed, attempting to escape. Whelan was extracted from the front passenger seat and O'Donoghue from the driver's seat after Garda officers broke windows. Both men were arrested at the scene. The Special Criminal Court heard evidence that the presence of the firearm, petrol, glove and clothing indicated an intention to endanger life. The trial, presided by Ms Justice Tara Burns, is expected to last one week. Paul Whelan pleaded not guilty. John O'Donoghue pleaded not guilty.