Ireland Gym owner jailed for buying phone credit used to co-ordinate Kinahan cartel murder
In December 2016, Noel Kirwan was shot dead outside his home on St Ronan's Drive in Clondalkin, Dublin, after the Kinahan cartel mistakenly believed he was linked to the Hutch gang. Michael Crotty (42), a gym owner from Cashel, Co Tipperary, admitted buying a €20 phone top-up for Seán McGovern, which was used to co-ordinate the murder. Crotty pleaded guilty in February, after a January trial date, to participating in or contributing to activity that could facilitate a serious offence by a criminal organisation. On 15 May 2024 the Special Criminal Court sentenced him to two years, reduced from a six-year headline sentence, and he is the fourth person jailed over the murder. Gardaí are pursuing further lines of inquiry.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Verdictnot reported
- Sentenced15 May
2 reports
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Michael Crotty, a 42-year-old gym owner, bought a €20 top-up for a phone used by Seán McGovern to co-ordinate the murder of Noel Kirwan.
- Where
- Noel Kirwan was shot outside his home on St Ronan's Drive, Clondalkin, Dublin 22.
- When
- The murder took place in December 2016.
- Cause
- The Kinahan cartel mistakenly believed Noel Kirwan was linked to the rival Hutch gang.
- Charges
- Crotty pleaded guilty in February to participating in or contributing to activity that could facilitate a serious offence by a criminal organisation, admitting he was reckless as to whether the top-up would be used in such an offence.
- In court
- Crotty's trial was scheduled for January and he entered his guilty plea in February.
- Crotty was sentenced by the Special Criminal Court before Ms Justice Caroline Biggs on 15 May 2024.
- Sentence
- The judge set a headline sentence of six years and reduced it to two years, citing Crotty's guilty plea and lack of previous convictions as mitigation.
- Other details
- The judge found no evidence that Crotty knew the credit would be used in a murder, but said its use in a murder was an aggravating feature.
- Crotty is the fourth person to be jailed over the murder of Noel Kirwan.
- The judge said Crotty had never been on gardaí's radar before or since and is a highly regarded employer in his community.
- Investigation
- Gardaí are pursuing further lines of inquiry.
22 statements extracted from the articles
- whatMichael Crotty, a gym owner, was jailed for two years. (irishtimes.com)
- whatCrotty bought €20 of credit for a mobile phone that was used to co-ordinate a murder. (irishtimes.com)
- whatMichael Crotty was jailed for two years. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatCrotty bought a €20 top-up for Sean McGovern. (irishmirror.ie)
- whereNoel Kirwan was targeted and shot in Clondalkin, Dublin. (irishtimes.com)
- whereKirwan was shot outside his home on St Ronan's Drive, Clondalkin, Dublin 22. (irishmirror.ie)
- whenThe murder occurred in December 2016. (irishtimes.com)
- whenKirwan was shot dead on December 22, 2016. (irishmirror.ie)
- causeThe cartel mistakenly believed Noel Kirwan was linked to the rival Hutch gang. (irishtimes.com)
- causeKirwan was targeted because the Kinahan cartel mistakenly believed he was linked to the Hutch gang. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationGardaí are pursuing further lines of inquiry. (irishtimes.com, irishmirror.ie)
- chargeCrotty pleaded guilty in February to participating in or contributing to activity that could facilitate a serious offence by a criminal organisation. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtCrotty was sentenced at the Special Criminal Court. (irishtimes.com)
- courtCrotty entered a guilty plea in February after a not guilty plea and a January trial. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe sentencing hearing took place before the three-judge court, presided over by Ms Justice Caroline Biggs. (irishmirror.ie)
- sentenceThe headline sentence of six years was reduced to two years. (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceThe judge set a headline sentence of six years and reduced it to two years. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherThe judge found there was no evidence Crotty knew the credit would be used in a murder. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe judge said the fact the phone was used in a murder was an aggravating feature. (irishtimes.com)
- otherMitigating factors included Crotty's guilty plea and lack of previous convictions. (irishtimes.com, irishmirror.ie)
- otherCrotty is the fourth person to be jailed for offences related to Noel Kirwan's murder. (irishtimes.com)
- otherCrotty is the fourth person to be jailed over Kirwan's murder. (irishmirror.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 15 May2024Gym owner who bought mobile top-up for Kinahan gang jailed for two years
Reports the sentencing of Michael Crotty, the fourth person jailed over Noel Kirwan's murder. Gives the headline sentence of six years reduced to two, the mitigating factors, and that gardaí are pursuing further lines of inquiry.
convicted, Michael Crotty, 42, male, named, irish (judged from name)Michael Crottyvictim, Noel 'Duck Egg' Kirwan, 62, male, irish (judged from name)Noel 'Duck Egg' Kirwan - 15 May2024Gym owner jailed for buying credit for phone used by Kinahan cartel to co-ordinate murder
Reports the Special Criminal Court sentencing of Michael Crotty to two years, with a six-year headline sentence reduced for mitigation, and his guilty plea entered in February after a January trial date.
convicted, Michael Crotty, 42, named, irish (judged from name)Michael Crottyvictim, Noel Kirwan, male, irish (judged from name)Noel Kirwan