Wednesday 28 October 2026Compiled from published reports. Every claim links to its source.

Ireland Crime

Every case followed from the first report to the sentence, or to where the reporting stopped.

Case No. 2813Murder · Co. Dublin · 27 Jul 2020

Cailean Crawford convicted of murdering Thomas McCarthy in Ballyfermot

Cailean Crawford, 28, was convicted by a unanimous Central Criminal Court jury of murdering Thomas McCarthy, 55, who was shot at Croftwood Park, Ballyfermot, on 27 July 2020. Crawford stormed out of the dock after the verdict and was remanded in custody for a mandatory life sentence on 20 December 2024.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Convicted3 Dec
    2 reports
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
29 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatA blue Ford Fiesta was seen driving in and out of the area on CCTV. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatCrawford arrived at the scene in a blue Ford Fiesta captured on CCTV. (irishtimes.com)
  • whereThe murder took place at Croftwood Park, Ballyfermot, Dublin 10. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whereThe murder took place at Croftwood Park, Ballyfermot. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenThe murder took place on 27 July 2020. (irishtimes.com)
  • weaponA 9mm semi-automatic weapon was retrieved from the Fiesta. (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeCrawford had pleaded not guilty to the murder of Thomas McCarthy (55) on July 27, 2020. (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeCrawford had pleaded not guilty to murdering Thomas McCarthy (55). (irishtimes.com)
  • courtA jury of six men and six women deliberated for eight hours and 20 minutes before returning a unanimous verdict against Crawford. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtMr Justice Tony Hunt presided over the trial. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtCrawford was remanded in custody to December 20 for the mandatory sentence of life imprisonment. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtThe judge exempted the jury panel from jury service for a period of 20 years. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtA jury of six men and six women deliberated for eight hours and 20 minutes before returning a unanimous verdict. (irishtimes.com)
  • sentenceMcClean was serving consecutive sentences of 16.5 years for facilitating the murder of Thomas McCarthy and conspiring to murder Wayne Whelan. (irishmirror.ie)
  • sentenceMcClean was jailed for an additional three-and-a-half years for impeding the apprehension of the person who murdered Mark 'Guinea Pig' Desmond. (irishmirror.ie)
  • sentenceIn September 2021, Crawford was sentenced to seven years with the final two suspended for conspiracy to murder Wayne Whelan. (irishmirror.ie)
  • sentenceMr Justice Hunt remanded Crawford in custody to 20 December for a mandatory life sentence for murder. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherCrawford was already serving a jail sentence for conspiring to murder Wayne Whelan. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherMcCarthy had five children and two grandchildren and was living in the UK at the time. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherCrawford was from Clifden Terrace, Ballyfermot. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherCharles McClean (35) was described by a Central Criminal Court judge as a "remorseless" criminal. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherCrawford said he had loaned a GoVan to McClean on the morning of the killing. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherSome of the cars used in the murder were later found burnt out. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherCrawford is already serving a sentence for conspiring to murder Wayne Whelan. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherMr McCarthy had five children and two grandchildren. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherMr McCarthy was living in the UK and had returned to visit his family and his mother in Ballyfermot. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe defence case was that Crawford had loaned a phone and a GoVan to associate Charles McClean on the morning of the killing. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherMcClean was already serving consecutive sentences of 16½ years for facilitating the murder of McCarthy and conspiring to murder Wayne Whelan. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherMcClean was jailed for an additional 3½ years for impeding the apprehension of the person who murdered Mark Desmond. (irishtimes.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 3 Dec2024
    Convictedirishtimes.com, first report
    Accused storms out of dock after being convicted of murdering man (55) in Ballyfermot

    Reports the jury's unanimous guilty verdict after eight hours and 20 minutes of deliberation, Crawford's outburst leaving the dock, the judge's comments, and remand for mandatory life sentencing on 20 December 2024.

    victim, Thomas McCarthy, 55, male, irish (judged from name)Thomas McCarthyconvicted, Cailean Crawford, 28, male, named, irish (judged from name)Cailean Crawfordconvicted, Charles McClean, 35, male, named, irish (judged from name)Charles McClean
  2. 3 Dec2024
    Convictedirishmirror.ie, follow-up
    Killer's furious courtroom rant as he's convicted of grandfather's murder

    Reports the unanimous guilty verdict after 8 hours 20 minutes of deliberation, Crawford's outburst, Mr Justice Hunt's comments on the accused, details of the prosecution and defence cases, and the remand for sentencing.

    victim, Thomas McCarthy, 55, male, irish (judged from name)Thomas McCarthyconvicted, Cailean Crawford, male, named, irish (judged from name)Cailean Crawfordvictim, female, irish (judged from name)suspect, Charles McClean, 35, male, named, irish (judged from name)Charles McClean