Thursday 29 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. 7779Attempted murder · Co. Dublin · 8 Apr 2022

Gunman who shot Andrew O’Brien in Clondalkin pleads guilty to attempted murder

On 8 April 2022, Andrew O'Brien was shot at close range while sitting in his car at Cherrywood Grove, Clondalkin, Dublin 22. Sam Archbold, 36, who had been a passenger in the car, was arrested on Grafton Street on 11 April 2022. Archbold pleaded guilty earlier in 2023 to the attempted murder of Mr O'Brien, and other counts were taken into consideration. At a sentence hearing at the Central Criminal Court in July 2023, Mr O'Brien gave victim impact evidence describing lasting injuries, and no sentence has been reported.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court25 Jul
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Andrew O'Brien was shot at close range while sitting in his car.
Where
The shooting happened at Cherrywood Grove, Clondalkin, in Dublin 22.
When
The shooting happened on 8 April 2022, at about 4.45pm.
Cause
  • Sam Archbold was a passenger in Mr O'Brien's car and had arranged to stop off under the pretext of collecting money to pay down a debt.
  • Archbold told gardaí the shooting was supposed to be a warning.
Weapon
A Bulldog revolver with six cartridges was found in a lunch box.
Investigation
  • Gardaí established from CCTV and witnesses that Mr O'Brien drove a Volkswagen Golf to a park beside Cherrywood Grove.
  • Archbold's fingerprints were found on the lunch box and the ammunition.
  • Archbold was arrested on Grafton Street on 11 April 2022, three days after the shooting.
Charges
Archbold pleaded guilty earlier in 2023 to the attempted murder of Mr O'Brien.
In court
  • Archbold was arraigned on count one, and all other counts were taken into consideration.
  • The matter came before the Central Criminal Court at a sentence hearing in July 2023, and no sentence has been reported.
Other details
  • Mr O'Brien was hospitalised with non-life-threatening injuries after two gunshots to the face; one source says the shots were to the head.
  • All of Mr O'Brien's teeth on the left side of his mouth were shattered and broken, and he has a burn scar on his face and a hole down the side of his throat.
  • Mr O'Brien's father said his son's condition cannot be improved.
15 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatAndrew O’Brien was shot in the face at close range while sitting in his car. (irishtimes.com)
  • whereThe shooting happened at Cherrywood Grove, Clondalkin, in Dublin 22. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenThe shooting happened on 8 April 2022. (irishtimes.com)
  • causeArchbold was a passenger and had arranged to stop off under the pretext of collecting money to pay down a debt. (irishtimes.com)
  • weaponA revolver found in a lunch box was a British Bulldog revolver with six cartridges. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationGardaí established from CCTV and witnesses that Mr O’Brien drove a Volkswagen Golf to a park beside Cherrywood Grove at 4.45pm on 8 April. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationArchbold’s fingerprints were found on the lunch box and ammunition. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationArchbold was arrested on Grafton Street on 11 April, three days after the shooting. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeArchbold pleaded guilty earlier this year to the attempted murder of Mr O’Brien. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtArchbold was arraigned on count one and all other counts were taken into consideration. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe matter was before the court at a sentence hearing. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherMr O’Brien was hospitalised with non-life-threatening injuries after two gunshots to the face. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherAll of Mr O’Brien’s teeth on the left side of his mouth were shattered and broken. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherArchbold told gardaí the shooting was supposed to be a warning. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherMr O’Brien’s father said his son’s condition cannot be improved. (irishtimes.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 25 Jul2023
    In courtirishtimes.com, first report
    Man shot twice in face at close range suffering from injuries which cannot be improved, court told

    Sentence hearing at the Central Criminal Court; the article gives victim impact evidence and the prosecution account of the shooting and investigation. No sentence is reported.

    victim, Andrew O'Brien, male, irish (judged from name)Andrew O'Brienconvicted, Sam Archbold, 36, male, named, irish (judged from name)Sam Archbold