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. 6795Murder (facilitation of a criminal organisation) · Co. Dublin · 22 Dec 2016

Declan Brady pleads guilty to facilitating murder of Noel Kirwan

On 22 December 2016 Christopher (aka Noel) Kirwan was shot six times as he sat in his car at St Ronan's Drive, Clondalkin, Dublin 22. Declan Brady, 56, pleaded guilty in January 2024 at the Special Criminal Court to facilitating a criminal organisation in the murder, while in custody for other offences. Co-accused Michael Crotty is also charged with facilitating the murder, and his trial was adjourned to Monday so he could consult his lawyers; he has not yet been asked to plead. The latest development is that no date has been set for Brady's sentencing hearing, which will be fixed when he returns to court next Wednesday.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Convicted12 Jan
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • Declan Brady, 56, pleaded guilty to facilitating a criminal organisation in the murder of Noel Kirwan.
  • The Irish Times described Mr Kirwan as an innocent man who had no involvement in crime.
Where
Mr Kirwan was shot at St Ronan's Drive, Clondalkin, Dublin 22.
When
Mr Kirwan was shot on 22 December 2016.
Cause
  • Mr Kirwan was shot six times as he sat in his car.
  • The court said Mr Kirwan was apparently shot for no reason other than that pictures of him had appeared in the media.
Charges
  • Brady was charged under Section 72 of the Criminal Justice Act with participating in or contributing to a serious offence, namely the murder of Christopher (aka Noel) Kirwan, between 20 October 2016 and 22 December 2016.
  • Michael Crotty is also charged with facilitating Mr Kirwan's murder.
Other details
The Irish Times described Brady as a senior member of the Kinahan cartel.
In court
  • Brady pleaded guilty to the single charge at a sitting of the Special Criminal Court on a Friday in January 2024.
  • Brady was in custody for other offences when he pleaded guilty.
  • Crotty's trial, due to start that day, was adjourned to Monday morning so he could consult his lawyers.
  • Crotty has not yet been asked to enter a plea.
Sentence
No date has yet been set for Brady's sentencing hearing; he is due to appear again next Wednesday, when one will be set.
15 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatDeclan Brady pleaded guilty to facilitating a criminal organisation in the murder of Noel Kirwan. (irishtimes.com)
  • whereMr Kirwan was shot at St Ronan's Drive, Clondalkin, Dublin 22. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenThe charge covers the period from 20 October 2016 to 22 December 2016. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenMr Kirwan was shot on 22 December 2016. (irishtimes.com)
  • causeMr Kirwan was shot six times as he sat in his car. (irishtimes.com)
  • causeThe court said Mr Kirwan was apparently shot for no reason other than that pictures of him had appeared in the media. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeBrady was charged with participating in or contributing to a criminal organisation's serious offence, namely the murder of Christopher (aka Noel) Kirwan. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeThe charge was brought under Section 72 of the Criminal Justice Act. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeCo-accused Michael Crotty is also charged with facilitating Mr Kirwan's murder. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtBrady pleaded guilty at a sitting of the Special Criminal Court on a Friday. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtBrady was in custody for other offences when he pleaded guilty. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtCrotty's trial was adjourned to Monday morning to allow him to consult his lawyers. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtCrotty has not yet been asked to enter a plea. (irishtimes.com)
  • sentenceBrady will appear before the court again next Wednesday, when a date will be set for his sentencing hearing. (irishtimes.com)
  • sentenceNo date has yet been set for Brady's sentencing hearing. (irishtimes.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 12 Jan2024
    Convictedirishtimes.com, first report
    Senior Kinahan cartel member pleads guilty to facilitating murder of Noel Kirwan

    Brady pleaded guilty to the single charge at the Special Criminal Court; sentencing date to be set. Co-accused Crotty's trial was adjourned to allow him to consult lawyers and he has not yet been asked to plead.

    convicted, Declan Brady, 56, male, named, irish (judged from name)Declan Bradyvictim, Christopher (aka Noel) Kirwan, 62, male, irish (judged from name)Christopher (aka Noel) Kirwanaccused, Michael Crotty, 40, male, named, irish (judged from name)Michael Crotty