Mr Michael Crotty, with an address at Slí Aonghusa, Áras na Rí, Cashel, Co Tipperary, has pleaded guilty to a charge at the Special Criminal Court Dublin.
Mr Crotty had initially pleaded not guilty to helping the Kinahan organised crime group shoot dead Mr Noel Kirwan, latter a father of four in driveway of his home at St Ronan’s Drive, Clondalkin, Dublin just three days before Christmas, in 2016.
The 42-year-old Mr Crotty has now admitted to facilitating the buying a mobile top-up for Mr Sean McGovern, latter a leading member of the aforementioned international crime gang. The latter Mr McGovern, a significant figure within the Kinahan criminal organisation, is understood to be currently residing in Dubai.
The court heard that Mr Kirwan who had absolutely no involvement in criminality, was mistakenly thought to have been connected to the murder of Mr David Byrne, at the Regency Hotel in February 2016. A tracker device had been placed on Mr Kirwan’s motor vehicle, which was being monitored from an apartment in the Beacon South Quarter, Sandyford, Dublin 18.
Three unregistered prepaid mobile phones are understood to have been used during the murder of Mr Kirwan.
Mr Declan Brady (known as “Mr Nobody” who already pleaded guilty in the Special Criminal Court to possessing nine revolvers, four semi-automatic pistols, a sub-machine gun, an assault rifle and 1,355 rounds of ammunition, located at a unit in Greenogue Business Park, Rathcoole, County Dublin), together with Mr Martin Alymer (latter who previously pleaded guilty to procuring mobile phones, which contributed to the murder of Mr Kirwan in 2016, and to a similar offence in relation to the attempted murder of alleged Hutch gang lieutenant, Mr James ‘Mago’ Gately), have already pleaded guilty to their involvement in the crime.
Mr Crotty has now pleaded guilty to the new charge, under Section 72 of the Criminal Justice Act; admitting that between October 20th, 2016 and December 22nd, 2016, on both dates inclusive and within the State, with knowledge of the existence of a criminal organisation, did participate in, or contribute to, activity intending to, or being reckless as to whether such participation or contribution could facilitate the commission of a serious offence by that criminal organisation or any of its membership.
Judge Ms Caroline Biggs has now extended Mr Crotty’s bail and adjourned the case to April 22nd, next for sentencing.
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