Sunday 1 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. 7474Attempted murder · Co. Dublin · 2 Sep 2016

Man jailed for 22 years over attempted murder in Dublin

Michael Carroll, 43, of Dublin 8, was sentenced to 22 years by the Special Criminal Court on 2 October 2023 for the attempted murder of Edward Staunton, 25, and possessing a firearm with intent to endanger life. On 2 September 2016, Carroll fired a pistol and revolver at John Hutch, 63, as he ran through his back garden at Drumalee Avenue, Dublin 7. On 26 March 2017, Carroll drove a car at Staunton, knocking him into the air, then shot him twice at Railway Street, Dublin 1. Carroll, who had 58 previous convictions, was extradited from the UK in April 2022 and pleaded guilty to both charges. Counsel said he carried out the shootings to ingratiate himself with the Kinahan/Byrne faction due to drug debts.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court27 Mar
  5. Convicted31 Jul
  6. Sentenced2 Oct
    2 reports
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • Carroll fired a pistol and revolver at John Hutch, 63, as he ran through his back garden at Drumalee Avenue, Dublin 7.
  • Carroll drove a car at Edward Staunton, 25, knocking him into the air, then shot him twice as he lay on the ground.
Where
The Hutch shooting took place at Drumalee Avenue, North Circular Road, Dublin 7, and the Staunton shooting at James Joyce Street and Peadar Kearney House, Railway Street, Dublin 1.
When
The Hutch shooting occurred on 2 September 2016 and the Staunton shooting on the night of 26 March 2017.
Cause
Counsel said Carroll carried out the shootings to ingratiate himself with the Kinahan/Byrne faction due to drug debts.
Weapon
Carroll used a pistol and a revolver at Hutch's home.
Investigation
Carroll was extradited from the UK in April 2022.
Charges
Carroll pleaded guilty to possessing a firearm with intent to endanger life under Section 15 of the Firearms Act and to the attempted murder of Staunton at Railway Street.
In court
The case was heard before a three-judge Special Criminal Court presided over by Mr Justice Tony Hunt, sitting with Judge Elma Sheahan and Judge Alan Mitchell.
Sentence
Carroll was sentenced to 22 years on 2 October 2023, comprising 10 years and six months for the firearms offence and 14 years for attempted murder with the last two years and six months suspended.
Other details
  • John Hutch, 63 at the time of the shooting, has since died.
  • Carroll had 58 previous convictions and was originally charged with three attempted murders.
49 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatCarroll was originally charged with the attempted murder of John Hutch. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatMichael Carroll was jailed for 22 years by the Special Criminal Court. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatCarroll fired several shots at Hutch as he ran through his back garden. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatCarroll drove a car at Staunton, knocking him into the air, then shot him twice as he lay on the ground. (irishtimes.com)
  • whereThe Staunton shooting occurred at Peadar Kearney House, Railway Street, Dublin 1. (irishtimes.com)
  • whereThe John Hutch shooting took place at his Drumalee Avenue home on the North Circular Road, Dublin 7. (irishtimes.com)
  • whereThe shooting was at Hutch's home on Drumalee Avenue, North Circular Road, Dublin 7. (irishtimes.com)
  • whereThe shooting at John Hutch's home was on the North Circular Road, Dublin 7. (thejournal.ie)
  • whereThe shooting at John Hutch's home took place on the North Circular Road, Dublin 7. (irishtimes.com)
  • whereCarroll was charged with twice attempting to murder Edward Staunton on the night of 26 March 2017 at James Joyce Street, Dublin 1, and at Peadar Kearney House, Railway Street, Dublin 1. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenThe shooting took place on 2 September 2016. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenThe shooting at John Hutch's home took place on 2 September 2016. (thejournal.ie, irishtimes.com)
  • whenThe attempted murder of Edward Staunton took place on the night of 26 March 2017 at James Joyce Street, Dublin 1. (thejournal.ie)
  • causeStaunton was injured in a hit-and-run and shot a short time later. (irishtimes.com)
  • causeCounsel said Carroll carried out the shooting to ingratiate himself with organised criminals because of his drug debts. (irishtimes.com)
  • causeCarroll shot at Hutch because he wanted to ingratiate himself with organised criminals due to drug debts. (thejournal.ie)
  • weaponCarroll fired at Hutch with a pistol and a revolver. (thejournal.ie)
  • weaponCarroll was armed with a pistol and a revolver during the shooting at Hutch's residence. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationCarroll was extradited from the UK in April 2022. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeCarroll pleaded guilty to a new charge of possessing a firearm with intent to endanger life under Section 15 of the Firearms Act at Drumalee Avenue on 2 September 2016. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeCarroll pleaded guilty to a new charge of possessing a firearm with intent to endanger life. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeCarroll was also charged with twice attempting to murder Edward Staunton on March 26, 2017. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeCarroll pleaded guilty to the attempted murder of Staunton at Railway Street. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeCarroll pleaded guilty to a charge of possessing a firearm with intent to endanger life at Drumalee Avenue. (thejournal.ie)
  • chargeCarroll pleaded guilty to the attempted murder of Edward Staunton at Railway Street on 26 March 2017. (thejournal.ie)
  • chargeCarroll pleaded guilty to possessing a firearm with intent to endanger life. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtCarroll pleaded guilty to the attempted murder of Staunton at Railway Street on 26 March 2017. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe case was heard before a three-judge Special Criminal Court. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtCounsel asked the Special Criminal Court to consider suspending part of the sentence. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe judge adjourned the matter to October 2. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe presiding judge was Mr Justice Tony Hunt, sitting with Judge Elma Sheahan and Judge Alan Mitchell. (thejournal.ie)
  • courtThe sentence was passed by Mr Justice Tony Hunt, sitting with Judge Elma Sheahan and Judge Alan Mitchell. (irishtimes.com)
  • sentenceThe judge said he would have to impose a significant sentence. (irishtimes.com)
  • sentenceCarroll was jailed by the Special Criminal Court for 22 years. (thejournal.ie)
  • sentenceThe final sentence of 22 years covers the two offences. (thejournal.ie)
  • sentenceCarroll received 10 years and six months for the firearms offence. (thejournal.ie)
  • sentenceCarroll received 14 years for attempted murder, consecutive to the firearms sentence, with the last two years and six months suspended. (thejournal.ie)
  • sentenceThe final sentence was 22 years for the two offences, with the last two years and six months of the adjusted 14-year sentence suspended. (irishtimes.com)
  • sentenceThe judge said the firearms offence carried a presumptive minimum sentence of 10 years. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherCarroll was originally charged with three attempted murders. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherJohn Hutch was 63 at the time of the shooting and has since died. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherJohn Hutch has since died. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherStaunton was admitted to intensive care after being shot. (thejournal.ie)
  • otherCarroll has 58 previous convictions. (thejournal.ie)
  • otherCarroll was extradited from the UK. (thejournal.ie, irishtimes.com)
  • otherStaunton was admitted to intensive care after the shooting. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherCarroll had 58 previous convictions. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherGardaí were told Carroll wanted to ingratiate himself with the Kinahan/Byrne faction. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherCarroll was believed to be under pressure to repay a significant drug debt. (irishtimes.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 2 Oct2023
    Sentencedirishtimes.com, first report
    ‘Ruthless’ gunman who shot at Gerard Hutch’s brother jailed for 22 years

    Reports the Special Criminal Court sentence of 22 years, the guilty pleas, the sentencing reasoning, and details of the 2017 attack on Edward Staunton. No existing case matches.

    convicted, Michael Carroll, 43, male, named, irish (judged from name)Michael Carrollvictim, John Hutch, 63, male, irish (judged from name)John Hutchvictim, Edward Staunton, 25, male, irish (judged from name)Edward Staunton
  2. 2 Oct2023
    Sentencedthejournal.ie, follow-up
    Man who shot at Monk's brother before trying to murder another man given 22-year sentence

    Reports the 2 October 2023 sentencing at the Special Criminal Court, including the sentence breakdown, the judge's remarks on aggravating factors and mitigation, and the guilty pleas to the Hutch firearms charge and the attempted murder of Staunton.

    convicted, Michael Carroll, 43, male, named, irish (judged from name)Michael Carrollvictim, John Hutch, 63, male, irish (judged from name)John Hutchvictim, Edward Staunton, 25, male, irish (judged from name)Edward Staunton
  3. 31 Jul2023
    Convictedirishtimes.com, first report
    ‘Intense help’ needed for gunman who shot Gerard Hutch’s brother to ingratiate himself with Kinahans, court told

    Sentencing hearing: counsel asked the court to consider suspending part of the sentence, the judge said a significant sentence would be needed, and the matter was adjourned to October 2. No sentence has been imposed yet. Adds the guilty plea details and the alleged motive.

    convicted, Michael Carroll, 43, male, named, irish (judged from name)Michael Carrollvictim, John Hutch, 63, male, irish (judged from name)John Hutchvictim, Edward Staunton, male, irish (judged from name)Edward Staunton
  4. 27 Mar2023
    In courtirishtimes.com, follow-up
    Dublin man accused of trying to kill Gerry Hutch’s brother pleads guilty to possessing a firearm, attempted murder of another man

    Reports Carroll's guilty pleas at the Special Criminal Court, the new Section 15 Firearms Act charge, his extradition from the UK in April 2022, and the adjournment to 22 May 2023 for sentencing before Mr Justice Tony Hunt.

    accused, Michael Carroll, 43, male, named, irish (judged from name)Michael Carrollvictim, Edward Staunton, male, irish (judged from name)Edward Stauntonvictim, John Hutch, 63, male, irish (judged from name)John Hutch