Ireland Case No. 29801Participating in activities of a criminal organisation (Section 72(1)(A) Criminal Justice Act) · Co. Dublin · 7 Dec 2016
Man sentenced for criminal organisation role in Dublin
Stephen Fowler, 62, was sentenced on 4 October 2021 to six years and nine months, with the last 15 months suspended for three years, for participating in the activities of a criminal organisation in a plot to murder James Gately, a rival Hutch gang member living in Belfast, between December 2016 and April 2017. Fowler, of Blakestown Cottages, Clonsilla, Dublin, pleaded guilty at the Special Criminal Court in September 2021 to his logistical role in collecting Estonian hitman Imre Arakas and allowing him to stay overnight at his home. The plot was foiled when gardaí arrested Fowler and Arakas on 4 April 2017 after monitoring Arakas's arrival at Dublin Airport. Fowler is the sixth man jailed in connection with the failed Kinahan cartel attempt on Gately's life.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In court14 Sep
5 reports - Verdictnot reported
- Sentenced4 Oct
3 reports
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- A plot by the Kinahan cartel to murder James Gately, a rival Hutch gang member, was underway between 7 December 2016 and 4 April 2017.
- Estonian hitman Imre Arakas was brought to Dublin in April 2017 to carry out the murder of Gately, who was living in Belfast.
- Stephen Fowler collected Arakas in his van at Barry's Hotel in Dublin city centre on 3 April 2017 and brought him to his home at Blakestown Cottages, Clonsilla.
- Tracker devices were placed on cars belonging to Gately and others, including his sister, in March 2017.
- Gately survived a second assassination attempt in May 2017 when he was shot five times at the Topaz petrol station on Clonshaugh Road in north Dublin.
- Where
- The offence relates to locations within Dublin, with Gately living in Belfast during the relevant period.
- When
- The offence relates to dates between 7 December 2016 and 4 April 2017.
- Cause
- Fowler said he got involved because of a drug debt after gardaí seized almost €500,000 worth of cannabis, and had taken responsibility for a debt associated with his son Eric Fowler, who was shot dead in December 2018.
- Investigation
- On 4 April 2017, gardaí went to Blakestown Cottages on foot of a search warrant and arrested Fowler and Arakas.
- Charges
- Fowler pleaded guilty to a single charge of participating in the activities of a criminal organisation with the intention of enhancing its ability to commit the murder of Gately.
- In court
- Fowler pleaded guilty at the Special Criminal Court in September 2021, and sentencing was finalised on 4 October 2021.
- Sentence
- Fowler was sentenced to six years and nine months, with the last 15 months suspended for three years, and put on a bond of €100.
- Other details
- Fowler is the sixth man jailed in connection with the failed attempt on Gately's life.
100 statements extracted from the articles
- whatGately, wearing a bullet-proof vest, survived being shot five times at the Topaz petrol station on Clonshaugh Road on 10 May 2017. (irishtimes.com)
- whatEstonian hitman Imre Arakas was brought to Ireland in 2017 to carry out the murder of Gately before being apprehended by gardaí. (irishtimes.com, irishmirror.ie)
- whatFowler collected an Estonian hitman brought to Ireland by the Kinahan organised crime gang to kill a rival Hutch gang member in 2017 (rte.ie)
- whatFowler allowed Arakas to stay overnight at his home in Dublin (rte.ie)
- whatFowler held and moved a tracking device placed on Gately's sister's car (rte.ie)
- whatImre Arakas was brought to Dublin in April 2017 to kill Gately (rte.ie)
- whatFowler picked up Arakas in his van after Arakas got off a bus in Dublin city centre on 3 April (rte.ie)
- whatEric was shot dead at the family home in Blakestown Cottages in December 2018 (rte.ie)
- whatGately, wearing a bullet-proof vest, survived being shot five times at the Topaz petrol station on Clonshaugh Road in north Dublin on 10 May 2017 (rte.ie)
- whatGately survived a second assassination attempt in May 2017 when he was shot five times at the Topaz petrol station in Clonshaugh. (irishtimes.com)
- whatArakas took a bus from the airport to Dublin city centre where he bought a wig. (irishtimes.com, irishmirror.ie)
- whatEric Fowler was gunned down in front of his home at Blakestown Cottages on 22 December 2018. (irishtimes.com)
- whatGately was a member of the rival Hutch gang. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatIn May 2017, Gately survived a second assassination attempt at the Topaz petrol station in Clonshaugh, north Dublin, where he was shot five times. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatEric Fowler, a father of two, was gunned down in front of his home at Blakestown Cottages on December 22, 2018. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatFowler collected Arakas in a van branded 'Blakestown Tyres' at Barry's Hotel in Dublin city centre and brought him to Blakestown Cottages (rte.ie)
- whatThe plot involved placing tracker devices on cars belonging to Mr Gately and others, including his sister, in March 2017 (rte.ie)
- whatFowler's role was described as logistical and he was operating under the direction of others as a favour (rte.ie)
- whatFowler's involvement ended because of garda intervention, not through his own withdrawal (rte.ie)
- whatFowler had taken responsibility for a debt associated with his son Eric Fowler, who was shot dead in December 2018 (rte.ie)
- whatJames Gately had been warned by gardaí of a threat to his life from criminals who believed him involved in the Regency Hotel murder of David Byrne in February 2016 (rte.ie)
- whatArakas was brought to Ireland in April 2017 to carry out the murder of Mr Gately before being apprehended by gardaí (rte.ie)
- whatFowler brought Arakas to his home at Blakestown Cottages (thejournal.ie)
- whatThe plot involved placing tracker devices on cars belonging to Gately and others including his sister in March 2017 (thejournal.ie)
- whatTracker devices were placed on cars belonging to Gately and others, including his sister, in March 2017 (irishmirror.ie)
- whereFowler is from Blakestown Cottages, Clonsilla, Dublin 1. (irishtimes.com)
- whereGately was in Northern Ireland during the period of the offence (irishmirror.ie)
- whereFowler put Arakas up at his home in Blakestown Cottages in west Dublin (rte.ie)
- whereGately was living in Belfast in April 2017 when the first assassination attempt was made. (irishtimes.com)
- whereGately was living in Belfast in April 2017 when the plot was underway. (irishmirror.ie)
- whereGately was in Belfast during the plot period (thejournal.ie)
- whereGately was in Belfast during the relevant period (irishmirror.ie)
- whenThe offence relates to dates between 7 December 2016 and 4 April 2017, when Gately was in Northern Ireland. (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe offence relates to dates between December 7, 2016, and April 4, 2017 (irishmirror.ie)
- whenThe offence relates to dates between 7 December 2016 and 4 April 2017. (irishtimes.com, rte.ie, thejournal.ie)
- whenThe offence relates to dates between December 7, 2016, and April 4, 2017, at a location or locations within the State, when Gately was in Northern Ireland. (irishmirror.ie)
- causeFowler said he got involved because of a drug debt after gardaí seized almost €500,000 worth of cannabis (rte.ie)
- causeFowler had taken responsibility for a debt associated with his deceased son. (irishtimes.com, irishmirror.ie)
- investigationGardaí raided Fowler's home and arrested him and Arakas the following morning (rte.ie)
- investigationGardaí monitored Arakas upon his arrival at Dublin Airport in April 2017. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationOn 4 April, gardaí went to Blakestown Cottages on foot of a search warrant and arrested Fowler and Arakas. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationDetective Garda Sergeant David Carolan gave evidence that a conspiracy to murder Gately was underway as gardaí monitored Imre Arakas upon his arrival at Dublin Airport in April 2017. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationOn April 4, gardaí went to the Blakestown Cottages address on foot of a search warrant and arrested Fowler and Arakas. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationA visible open thread on the Blackberry phone used by Arakas led to gardaí piecing together the plot to murder Gately. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationGarda investigators took photos of the information on the Blackberry because it could be remotely deleted. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationThe PSNI was informed on April 4, 2017, which led to the thwarting of the assassination. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationFowler and Arakas were both arrested on foot of a warrant on 4 April 2017 at Blakestown Cottages in Clonsilla, Dublin 15 (rte.ie, thejournal.ie)
- investigationGardaí seized a Blackberry phone and matched the movements of Arakas and gang members to the murder plot (rte.ie, thejournal.ie, irishmirror.ie)
- investigationFowler and Arakas were both arrested on foot of a warrant on April 4, 2017, at Blakestown Cottages in Clonsilla, Dublin (irishmirror.ie)
- chargeThe single charge was having knowledge of a criminal organisation and participating in activities with the intention of enhancing its ability to commit the murder of James Gately. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeStephen Fowler pleaded guilty to helping a criminal organisation commit the murder of James Gately between December 2016 and April 2017 (rte.ie)
- chargeFowler pleaded guilty to a single charge of participating in the activities of a criminal organisation with the intention of enhancing its ability to commit the murder of Mr Gately (rte.ie)
- courtFowler pleaded guilty at the Special Criminal Court to his involvement in the failed Kinahan Cartel bid to murder Gately. (irishtimes.com)
- courtMr Justice Tony Hunt fixed 16 September 2021 for a sentence hearing. (irishtimes.com)
- courtSentencing was fixed for Thursday, September 16 (irishmirror.ie)
- courtFowler is to be sentenced at the Special Criminal Court the following month (rte.ie)
- courtThe court would finalise sentencing on 4 October 2021, with a maximum jail term of 15 years. (irishtimes.com)
- courtMr Justice Tony Hunt, presiding at the three-judge court, said sentencing would be finalised on October 4. (irishmirror.ie)
- sentencePeter Keating, 40, of Clondalkin, was jailed for 11 years for directing the activities of a criminal organisation in the same plot. (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceCaolan Smyth, 30, of Donore, Co Meath, was sentenced to 20 years for the attempted murder of Gately and possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life. (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceGary McAreavey, 53, of Castlebellingham, Co Louth, received a four-year jail term with the final year suspended for impeding an apprehension by purchasing petrol and assisting in burning the vehicle. (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceImre Arakas, 63, was jailed by the Special Criminal Court for six years in December 2018 for conspiring to murder Gately in Northern Ireland. (irishtimes.com)
- sentencePeter Keating, 40, of Rowlagh Green, Clondalkin, Dublin 22, was jailed for 11 years for directing the activities of a criminal organisation between December 7, 2016, and April 4, 2017 (irishmirror.ie)
- sentenceCaolan Smyth, 30, of Cuileann Court, Donore, Co Meath, was sentenced to 20 years for the attempted murder of Gately and possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life (irishmirror.ie)
- sentenceGary McAreavey, 53, of Gort Nua, Station Road, Castlebellingham, Co Louth, received a four-year jail term with the final year suspended (irishmirror.ie)
- sentenceImre Arakas, 63, was jailed by the Special Criminal Court for six years in December 2018 for conspiring to murder Gately in Northern Ireland between April 3 and 4, 2017 (irishmirror.ie)
- sentenceFowler had previously been sentenced to eight years in prison with the final two suspended for possession and supply of cannabis (rte.ie)
- sentencePeter Keating of Rowlagh Green in Clondalkin was jailed for 11 years for directing the activities of a criminal gang between December 2016 and April 2017 (rte.ie)
- sentenceDavid Duffy, 33, of Greenfort Lawns, Clondalkin, was sentenced to five years in prison with a further year suspended for helping a criminal organisation in its attempt to murder Gately (rte.ie)
- sentenceArakas, 63, was jailed by the Special Criminal Court for six years in December 2018 for conspiring to murder Gately in Northern Ireland between 3 and 4 April 2017 (rte.ie)
- sentenceThe charge carries a maximum jail-term of 15 years. (irishmirror.ie)
- sentenceFowler was sentenced to six years and nine months (rte.ie)
- sentenceThe last 15 months of the sentence were suspended for three years (rte.ie, irishmirror.ie)
- sentenceThe maximum jail sentence pre-mitigation was 15 years (rte.ie, thejournal.ie)
- sentenceThe last 15 months of the sentence was suspended for three years (thejournal.ie)
- sentenceFowler was put on a bond of €100 (thejournal.ie)
- sentencePeter Keating, 40, was jailed for 11 years for directing the activities of a criminal organisation in the same plot (thejournal.ie)
- sentenceDavid Duffy, 33, was sentenced to five years with a further year suspended for participating in the same plot (thejournal.ie)
- sentenceArakas, 63, was jailed for six years in December 2018 for conspiring to murder Gately in Northern Ireland (thejournal.ie)
- otherGately had been warned by gardaí of a threat to his life from criminals who believed him involved in the Regency Hotel murder of David Byrne in February 2016. (irishtimes.com, irishmirror.ie, thejournal.ie)
- otherGately survived being shot five times at the Topaz petrol station on Clonshaugh Road in north Dublin on May 10, 2017 (irishmirror.ie)
- otherFowler told gardaí he knew Arakas had been brought for a criminal purpose but did not know of the plan to murder Gately (rte.ie)
- otherFowler's defence counsel told the court it was his son Eric who was the person of interest in the drugs matter (rte.ie)
- otherThe drugs conviction cost Fowler his marriage of 36 years (rte.ie)
- otherFowler was released early on a bond and within six months was helping the Kinahan gang (rte.ie)
- otherFowler said he would not name whom he took instruction from because it would amount to a threat to his life. (irishtimes.com, irishmirror.ie)
- otherIn 2012, Fowler pleaded guilty to possession of cannabis worth €450,000 and served six years of an eight-year sentence. (irishtimes.com, rte.ie, irishmirror.ie)
- otherFowler was on a two-year suspended sentence at the time of the 2017 offence, from his release on 7 June 2016. (irishtimes.com)
- otherIn 2012, Fowler pleaded guilty to possession of cannabis worth €450k and served six years of an eight-year sentence. (irishmirror.ie, thejournal.ie)
- otherFowler was serving the suspended part of a drugs sentence at the time of the plot (rte.ie, thejournal.ie, irishmirror.ie)
- otherFowler's defence counsel was Michael Bowman SC (rte.ie)
- otherFowler was a 62-year-old married man with a family (thejournal.ie)
- otherFowler had not come to the attention of gardaí since 2017 and was on bail (thejournal.ie)
- otherFowler is the sixth man to be jailed in connection with the failed attempt on Gately (thejournal.ie)
- otherFowler had taken responsibility for a debt associated with his son Eric Fowler, 34, who was shot dead in December 2018 (thejournal.ie)
- otherFowler is the sixth man to be jailed by the non-jury court in connection with the plot (irishmirror.ie)
- otherGately had been warned by gardai of a threat to his life from criminals who believed him involved in the Regency Hotel murder of David Byrne in February 2016 (irishmirror.ie)
- otherGately survived a second attempt on his life in May 2017 (irishmirror.ie)
- otherFowler had taken responsibility for a debt associated with his son Eric Fowler (irishmirror.ie)
- otherHitman Arakas was brought to Ireland in April 2017 to carry out the murder of Gately before being apprehended by gardai (irishmirror.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 4 Oct2021Grandad jailed for involvement in botched murder attempt on Hutch gang member
Fowler's sentencing as the sixth man jailed in connection with the foiled Gately murder plot; judge described his role as logistical and operating under the direction of others.
convicted, Stephen Fowler, 62, male, named, irish (judged from name)Stephen Fowlervictim, James Gately, male, irish (judged from name)James Gatelysuspect, Imre Arakas, male, Estonian, named, non-irishImre Arakas - 4 Oct2021Sixth man jailed for role in attempted murder of Kinahan gang target James Gately
Full sentencing details for Fowler including the judge's reasoning, specific acts (collecting Arakas at Barry's Hotel in a van branded 'Blakestown Tyres'), sentence structure, and mentions of co-defendants Keating and Duffy in the same plot.
convicted, Stephen Fowler, 62, male, named, irish (judged from name)Stephen Fowlervictim, James Gately, male, irish (judged from name)James Gatelyconvicted, Imre Arakas, 63, male, Estonian, named, non-irishImre Arakasconvicted, Peter Keating, 40, male, named, irish (judged from name)Peter Keatingconvicted, David Duffy, 33, male, named, irish (judged from name)David Duffy - 4 Oct2021Man jailed for role in plot to kill Hutch gang member
Full sentencing details including the judge's reasoning, the suspended portion, the maximum pre-mitigation sentence of 15 years, and additional background on Fowler's prior cannabis conviction and his son Eric Fowler's murder.
convicted, Stephen Fowler, 62, male, named, irish (judged from name)Stephen Fowlervictim, James Gately, male, irish (judged from name)James Gatelysuspect, Imre Arakas, male, Estonian, named, non-irishImre Arakas - 16 Sep2021Grandad who saw son murdered offered home as safe-house to Kinahan gang assassin
Covers Fowler's guilty plea and the trial evidence, including how Arakas was collected from Barry's Hotel and taken to Fowler's home, the Blackberry phone evidence, tracking devices, the PSNI being informed, and the revelation that Fowler's son Eric was murdered in December 2018 and that Fowler had taken responsibility for a debt associated with his deceased son. Sentencing scheduled for 4 October 2021.
accused, Stephen Fowler, 62, male, named, irish (judged from name)Stephen Fowlervictim, James 'Mago' Gately, male, irish (judged from name)James 'Mago' Gatelysuspect, Imre Arakas, male, Estonian, named, non-irishImre Arakasvictim, Eric, 34, male, irish (judged from name)Eric - 16 Sep2021Dublin grandfather offered home to Kinahan cartel hitman, court told
Details of Fowler's guilty plea, the evidence of the conspiracy (Arakas arriving at Dublin Airport, buying a wig, being collected by Fowler at Barry's Hotel and taken to Blakestown Cottages), the Blackberry phone thread that pieced together the plot, and the court's plan to sentence on 4 October 2021.
accused, Stephen Fowler, 62, male, named, irish (judged from name)Stephen Fowlervictim, James 'Mago' Gately, male, irish (judged from name)James 'Mago' Gatelysuspect, Imre Arakas, male, Estonian, named, non-irishImre Arakas - 16 Sep2021Man admits helping Estonian hitman in gang feud
Reports Fowler's guilty plea, details of his role (collecting Arakas, holding a tracking device), his background as a convicted drug dealer whose son Eric was shot dead in 2018, and the sentences already handed down to co-defendants Keating, Duffy, Arakas, Smyth and McAreavey in related cases.
accused, Stephen Fowler, 62, male, named, irish (judged from name)Stephen Fowlervictim, James Gately, male, irish (judged from name)James Gatelysuspect, Imre Arakas, 63, male, Estonian, named, non-irishImre Arakas - 14 Sep2021Man pleads guilty to being involved in failed bid to murder Hutch gang member
Fowler's guilty plea at the Special Criminal Court; sentencing hearing fixed for 16 September 2021. Article also reports that Peter Keating was jailed for 11 years and David Duffy sentenced to five years (one suspended) for the same foiled plot, and that Imre Arakas was jailed for six years in December 2018 for conspiring to murder Gately in Northern Ireland.
accused, Stephen Fowler, 62, male, named, irish (judged from name)Stephen Fowlervictim, James 'Mago' Gately, male, irish (judged from name)James 'Mago' Gatelysuspect, Peter Keating, 40, male, named, irish (judged from name)Peter Keatingsuspect, David Duffy, 33, male, named, irish (judged from name)David Duffysuspect, Imre Arakas, 63, male, Estonian, named, non-irishImre Arakas - 14 Sep2021Man pleads guilty to involvement in failed Kinahan cartel murder bid
Fowler's guilty plea at the Special Criminal Court; sentencing hearing fixed for 16 September 2021. Article also reports that Peter Keating was jailed for 11 years and David Duffy sentenced to five years for the same plot, and provides background on the Topaz petrol station shooting and the Arakas interception.
accused, Stephen Fowler, 62, male, named, irish (judged from name)Stephen Fowlervictim, James 'Mago' Gately, male, irish (judged from name)James 'Mago' Gately