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. 7006Murder · Co. Dublin

Chainsaw murderer Paul Wells Snr loses Court of Appeal bid

Kenneth O'Brien, a Dublin father-of-one, was shot in January 2016 at the Finglas, Dublin 11, home of Paul Wells Snr (55), and his body was dismembered with the victim's own chainsaw. Wells Snr admitted shooting him and dumping the torso in the Grand Canal, but argued he acted in self-defence. He was found guilty of murder and sentenced to life imprisonment. On 30 November 2023 the Court of Appeal dismissed his motion and appeal against the conviction, finding no fundamental or real injustice at the trial.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court30 Nov
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Paul Wells Snr admitted shooting Kenneth O'Brien dead and dismembering his body.
Where
  • The shooting took place at Wells Snr's home in Barnamore Park, Finglas, Dublin 11.
  • Wells Snr dumped the torso, in a suitcase, in the Grand Canal.
When
Kenneth O'Brien was shot in January 2016.
Weapon
The body was dismembered with the victim's own chainsaw.
Cause
Wells Snr argued he was acting in self-defence when he shot the victim.
Investigation
  • A post-mortem found the gun had been held against the back of the victim's head.
  • The trial heard that evidence led gardaí to Wells Snr despite a cover-up.
Charges
Wells Snr was found guilty of murder.
Sentence
Wells Snr was sentenced to life imprisonment.
In court
  • Wells Snr's lawyers argued the trial judge's charge to the jury on self-defence was incoherent in parts.
  • On 30 November 2023 the Court of Appeal dismissed the motion and appeal in their entirety.
  • The Court of Appeal found no concern that a fundamental or real injustice occurred at the trial.
11 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatWells Snr admitted shooting Kenneth O'Brien dead and dismembering his body. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whereThe shooting took place at Wells Snr's home. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whereWells Snr dumped the torso in the Grand Canal. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whenKenneth O'Brien was shot in January 2016. (irishmirror.ie)
  • weaponThe body was dismembered with the victim's own chainsaw. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtPaul Wells Snr failed in a bid to overturn his conviction. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtThe Court of Appeal dismissed the motion and appeal in their entirety. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtWells Snr's lawyers argued the trial judge's charge to the jury was incoherent in parts. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtThe Court of Appeal found no concern that a fundamental or real injustice occurred at the trial. (irishmirror.ie)
  • sentenceWells Snr was sentenced to life imprisonment after being found guilty of murder. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherWells Snr argued he was acting in self-defence. (irishmirror.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 30 Nov2023
    In courtirishmirror.ie, first report
    Chainsaw murderer Paul Wells Snr loses bid for freedom

    Reports the Court of Appeal's decision dismissing Wells Snr's appeal against his conviction and life sentence. The appeal argued the jury charge on self-defence was incoherent.

    convicted, Paul Wells Snr, 55, male, named, irish (judged from name)Paul Wells Snrvictim, Kenneth O'Brien, 33, male, irish (judged from name)Kenneth O'Brien