Thursday 5 November 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. 30222Attempted murder; conspiracy to murder · Co. Dublin · 4 Sep 2019

Four men jailed over attempted murder of Wayne Whelan in Lucan

Wayne Whelan, 42, was attacked at Griffeen Glen Park in Lucan on 4 September 2019 and survived, but was shot dead in a separate attack on 18 November 2019. Wayne Ryan, 41, pleaded guilty to the attempted murder, and Cailean Crawford, 25, Darren Henderson, 31, and Charles McClean, 32, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to murder Whelan between 15 May and 15 November 2019. On 2 September 2021 Mr Justice Michael White at the Central Criminal Court jailed the four men for a total of 33 years, with Ryan receiving 15 years, McClean eight years, and Henderson and Crawford seven years each with the final two years suspended. The latest development is the sentencing of the four men.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced2 Sep
    2 reports
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • Wayne Whelan, 42, was attacked in an attempted murder and survived, but was later shot dead in another attack in November 2019.
  • Sources differ on how the attack unfolded: one says Whelan was shot several times in his body, head and arms while sitting in his car in the estate where he lived in Lucan, while another says his 4x4 was rammed by his attackers and he escaped by running into a house.
  • Whelan was shot dead in a car on 18 November 2019, and the vehicle was set on fire with his remains inside at Mount Andrew Rise, Lucan.
Where
  • The attack took place at Griffeen Glen Park, Lucan, on 4 September 2019, outside Whelan's home.
  • Addresses given in reports are Ryan at Lanna Aoibhann, St Michael's Road, Longford, Crawford at Clifden Terrace, Ballyfermot, Henderson at Cleggan Avenue, Ballyfermot, and McClean at St Mark's Drive, Clondalkin.
Weapon
Wayne Ryan was one of two masked men in a van that lay in wait for Whelan, which the judge described as a planned, cold-blooded attack in broad daylight.
Charges
  • Wayne Ryan pleaded guilty to the attempted murder of Whelan at Griffeen Glen Park on 4 September 2019.
  • Cailean Crawford, Darren Henderson and Charles McClean pleaded guilty to conspiracy to murder Whelan between 15 May and 15 November 2019.
In court
Mr Justice Michael White sentenced the four men at the Central Criminal Court on 2 September 2021.
Sentence
  • Wayne Ryan was sentenced to 15 years in prison, and Charles McClean was sentenced to eight years, backdated to 29 September 2020 when he went into custody.
  • Darren Henderson and Cailean Crawford were each sentenced to seven years with the final two years suspended, and they entered bonds to be of good behaviour during the suspended period.
  • The four men were jailed for a total of 33 years, which is the figure left after the suspended years are excluded from the sentences.
Other details
  • Ryan had previous convictions, including for firearms offences, and his guilty plea was the only mitigating factor the judge identified.
  • McClean previously ran a car sales business with Whelan, which ceased trading in 2016, and the judge said his behaviour was particularly disappointing given his sporting background.
  • Henderson was described as having a history of regular employment despite a debilitating medical condition, and Crawford was described as previously of good character.
30 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatWayne Whelan, 42, survived the attempted murder but was later shot dead in another attack in November 2019. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatRyan was one of two masked men in a van who lay in wait for Whelan at the scene. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatWhelan was shot a number of times in his body, head and arms while sitting in his car in the estate where he lived in Lucan. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatWhelan was shot dead in a car on 18 November 2019 and the vehicle was set on fire with his remains inside at Mount Andrew Rise, Lucan. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatWhelan escaped death when he ran into a house after his 4x4 was rammed by his attackers in the Griffeen Glen Park area on 4 September 2019. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whereCrawford's address is Clifden Terrace, Ballyfermot. (irishtimes.com)
  • whereHenderson's address is Cleggan Avenue, Ballyfermot. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeRyan pleaded guilty to the attempted murder of Whelan at Griffeen Glen Park, Lucan, on 4 September 2019. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeThree other men pleaded guilty to conspiracy to murder Whelan between 15 May and 15 November 2019. (irishtimes.com, irishmirror.ie)
  • sentenceFour men were jailed for a total of 33 years at the Central Criminal Court. (irishtimes.com)
  • sentenceRyan was sentenced to 15 years in prison. (irishtimes.com)
  • sentenceMcClean was sentenced to eight years. (irishtimes.com)
  • sentenceHenderson and Crawford each received seven years with the final two years suspended. (irishtimes.com)
  • sentenceMcClean's eight-year sentence was backdated to 29 September 2020, when he went into custody. (irishtimes.com, irishmirror.ie)
  • sentenceFour men were jailed for a combined total of 33 years for the attempted murder of Wayne Whelan. (irishmirror.ie)
  • sentenceWayne Ryan was sentenced to 15 years in prison. (irishmirror.ie)
  • sentenceCharles McClean was sentenced to eight years. (irishmirror.ie)
  • sentenceDarren Henderson and Cailean Crawford were each handed seven years with the final two years suspended. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherWhelan survived the murder attempt but was later shot dead in another attack in November 2019. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherRyan was one of two masked men in a van that lay in wait for Whelan at the scene. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherRyan had previous convictions including for firearms offences. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe only mitigating factor for Ryan was his guilty plea. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherMcClean previously had a business relationship with the victim. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherMcClean's behaviour was described as particularly disappointing given his sporting background. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherHenderson has a history of regular employment despite a debilitating medical condition. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherCrawford was previously of good character. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherMcClean previously had a business relationship with Whelan and the judge said his behaviour was particularly disappointing given his sporting background. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherHenderson and Crawford entered bonds to be of good behaviour during their suspended sentences. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherWhelan previously ran a car sales business with McClean which ceased trading in 2016. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherWhelan was originally from Clondalkin and was well known to gardaí for involvement in serious and organised crime for more than two decades. (irishmirror.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 3 Sep2021
    Sentencedirishmirror.ie, its first report
    Four men jailed for combined 33 years over attempted murder of Wayne Whelan

    Sentencing of four men for the attempted murder of Wayne Whelan on 4 September 2019; Ryan received 15 years for attempted murder, McClean 8 years and Henderson and Crawford 7 years (2 suspended) for conspiracy to murder. Whelan survived this attack but was shot dead in a separate incident on 18 November 2019.

    victim, Wayne Whelan, 42, male, irish (judged from name)Wayne Whelanconvicted, Wayne Ryan, 41, male, named, irish (judged from name)Wayne Ryanconvicted, Cailean Crawford, 25, male, named, irish (judged from name)Cailean Crawfordconvicted, Darren Henderson, 31, male, namedDarren Hendersonconvicted, Charles McClean, 32, male, named, irish (judged from name)Charles McClean
  2. 2 Sep2021
    Sentencedirishtimes.com, first report
    Four men jailed over ‘callous’ conspiracy to murder gangland criminal

    Provides Mr Justice Michael White's sentencing remarks, including his description of the 'callous indifference' shown, Ryan's role as one of two masked men in a van, McClean's 'substantial role' and prior business relationship with the victim, and Henderson and Crawford providing 'significant logistical support' away from the scene.

    victim, Wayne Whelan, male, irish (judged from name)Wayne Whelanconvicted, Wayne Ryan, 41, male, named, irish (judged from name)Wayne Ryanconvicted, Cailean Crawford, 25, male, named, irish (judged from name)Cailean Crawfordconvicted, Darren Henderson, 31, male, named, irish (judged from name)Darren Hendersonconvicted, Charles McClean, 32, male, named, irish (judged from name)Charles McClean