Ireland Man already serving 16½ years pleads guilty to impeding prosecution of Lucan murder suspect
Charles McClean (35) pleaded guilty to impeding the apprehension or prosecution of the person who murdered Mark Desmond, a gangland figure shot at least three times with a handgun at Griffeen Valley Park, Lucan, Dublin, on 2 December 2016. McClean was originally charged with murdering Mark Desmond and was already serving two consecutive sentences totalling 16½ years, imposed from 2021, for facilitating a criminal organisation and conspiring to murder Wayne Whelan. On 29 January 2024 he was arraigned at the Central Criminal Court, where he had been due to go on trial, and was remanded in custody until 6 February 2024 for sentencing, with a victim impact report ordered. Separately, a 46-year-old man convicted in December 2023 of sexual abuse offences involving two girls was assaulted in the dock on 29 January 2024, which halted his sentencing hearing, and the hearing was adjourned to 26 February 2024.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In court29 Jan
2 reports - Convicted29 Jan
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Charles McClean (35) pleaded guilty to impeding the apprehension or prosecution of the person who murdered Mark Desmond.
- Mark Desmond was a gangland figure.
- A separate man, reported as 46, was convicted in December 2023 at the Central Criminal Court of 11 counts of sexual abuse against one girl and one count of causing a child to watch pornography in relation to a second girl.
- On 29 January 2024, two men approached the 46-year-old man in the dock while evidence was being heard, and a scuffle followed.
- Where
- The offence happened at Griffeen Valley Park, Lucan, Dublin.
- The sentencing hearing of the 46-year-old man was halted at the Criminal Courts of Justice in Dublin.
- When
- The offence happened on 2 December 2016.
- Weapon
- Mark Desmond was shot at least three times with a handgun.
- Charges
- McClean was originally charged with murdering Mark Desmond.
- In court
- McClean was arraigned at the Central Criminal Court, where he had been due to go on trial.
- McClean was remanded in custody until 6 February 2024 for a sentence hearing, and a victim impact report was ordered.
- The judge remanded the 46-year-old man in continuing custody and adjourned his sentence hearing to 26 February 2024.
- Sentence
- Since 2021 McClean has been sentenced to two consecutive sentences totalling 16½ years in prison for facilitating a criminal organisation and conspiring to murder Wayne Whelan.
- Investigation
- Mr Justice Paul Burns called the events a serious breach of security and said the Courts Service would have to investigate.
27 statements extracted from the articles
- whatThe two men were restrained and removed from the courtroom by prison staff and gardaí. (irishtimes.com, dublinlive.ie)
- whatThe accused man was bleeding and was taken to get medical attention. (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe accused man was assaulted in the dock. (dublinlive.ie)
- whatTwo men approached the accused man in the dock while evidence was being heard, and a scuffle followed. (dublinlive.ie)
- whatMcClean admitted impeding the apprehension of the person who murdered Mark Desmond. (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe sentencing was halted at the Criminal Courts of Justice after the accused was assaulted in the dock. (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe sentencing hearing was halted at the Criminal Courts of Justice in Dublin. (dublinlive.ie)
- whereThe offence happened at Griffeen Valley Park, Lucan, Dublin. (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe assault happened while a prosecuting garda was giving evidence about the abuse of the two girls. (dublinlive.ie)
- whenMcClean was arraigned at the Central Criminal Court, where he had been due to go on trial. (irishtimes.com)
- causeTwo men approached the accused man in the dock while evidence was being heard and a scuffle ensued. (irishtimes.com)
- weaponMark Desmond was shot at least three times with a handgun. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationThe judge said what occurred would have to be investigated by the Courts Service. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationThe judge said the matter would have to be investigated by the Courts Service. (dublinlive.ie)
- chargeThe accused was also convicted of one count of causing a child to watch pornography, in relation to a second girl. (dublinlive.ie)
- chargeMcClean pleaded guilty to impeding the apprehension or prosecution of a person. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeMcClean was originally charged with murdering Mark Desmond. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe judge remanded the accused man in continuing custody and adjourned the sentence hearing to February 26th, 2024. (irishtimes.com)
- courtMr Justice Paul Burns said the events represented a serious breach of security. (dublinlive.ie)
- courtThe accused was convicted in the Central Criminal Court in December of 11 counts of sexual abuse against one girl. (dublinlive.ie)
- courtThe judge remanded the accused in continuing custody and adjourned the sentence hearing to 26 February 2024. (dublinlive.ie)
- courtMcClean was remanded in custody until February 6th for a sentence hearing, and a victim impact report was ordered. (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceMcClean has previously been sentenced to two consecutive sentences totalling 16½ years in prison. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe assault happened while the prosecuting garda was giving evidence of the abuse of the two girls. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe accused man was convicted at the Central Criminal Court last December of 11 counts of sexual abuse. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe judge said one of the injured parties, who was present, was clearly traumatised by what occurred. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe accused man was bleeding and was taken for medical attention. (dublinlive.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 29 Jan2024Criminal already serving 16½ years pleads guilty to impeding prosecution of Lucan murder suspect
Guilty plea by McClean to impeding the apprehension or prosecution of Mark Desmond's murderer; he was originally charged with murdering Mr Desmond. Sentence hearing set for February 6th with a victim impact report ordered.
convicted, Charles McClean, 35, male, named, irish (judged from name)Charles McCleanvictim, Mark Desmond, 41, male, irish (judged from name)Mark Desmond - 29 Jan2024Dublin sexual abuser left bleeding after being assaulted during court sentencing
Reports an assault on the accused in the dock during sentencing hearing, the judge's response, and the adjournment of the sentence hearing to 26 February 2024.
convicted, 46, malevictim, 15 to 16, femalevictim, 14 to 15, femalesuspect, malesuspect, male - 29 Jan2024Sentencing of man convicted of sexually abusing two teenagers halted after he is assaulted in court
Reports that the sentencing hearing for a man convicted of child sexual abuse was halted after he was assaulted in the dock by two men, who were restrained and removed. No existing case covers this incident.
victim, 46, malesuspect, malesuspect, male