Wednesday 28 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. 6462Murder · Co. Dublin · 22 Dec 2016

Partner of murdered Noel Kirwan gives statement at sentencing hearing for Declan Brady

Noel Kirwan, a 62-year-old man, was shot dead outside his home on St Ronan's Drive in Clondalkin, Dublin 22, on 22 December 2016, while his partner Bernadette Roe was in the car beside him. Declan Brady, a 57-year-old man, pleaded guilty to participating in a criminal organisation, namely the murder of Mr Kirwan, contrary to Section 72 of the Criminal Justice Act. At a sentencing hearing in the Special Criminal Court, the court heard details of Brady's involvement, and Ms Roe read a victim impact statement. The hearing was adjourned to 30 April so a probation report could be prepared, and no sentence has yet been reported.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court27 Feb
  5. Convicted26 Feb
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Noel Kirwan, a 62-year-old man, was shot dead outside his home.
Where
The shooting took place on St Ronan's Drive, Clondalkin, Dublin 22, also described as west Dublin.
When
Mr Kirwan was shot six times on 22 December 2016.
Cause
  • Mr Kirwan was reportedly targeted by the Kinahan crime organisation because of a false belief that he was linked to the Hutch organisation.
  • Gardaí said Mr Kirwan was not involved in criminality.
Investigation
  • A tracking device was attached to Mr Kirwan's car to monitor his movements up to the shooting.
  • Gardaí found a laptop and an instruction manual linked to the tracking device in an apartment.
  • DNA matching Brady was found on a toothbrush taken from the apartment.
  • Gardaí have no evidence that Brady owned or operated the laptop used to communicate with the tracker.
  • CCTV showed Brady and another man entering and leaving an apartment complex in Sandyford.
  • Detective Superintendent Mark O'Neill agreed Brady may not have been aware of the specific purpose of the tracker.
Charges
  • Brady pleaded guilty to participating in a criminal organisation, namely the murder of Mr Kirwan, contrary to Section 72 of the Criminal Justice Act.
  • Brady admitted participating in a criminal organisation between October and December 2016 in connection with the murder.
In court
  • At a sentencing hearing in February 2024, the Special Criminal Court heard details of Brady's involvement in facilitating the murder.
  • The hearing was adjourned to 30 April so a probation report could be prepared.
Other details
Bernadette Roe, Mr Kirwan's partner, said he was murdered senselessly and for no good reason, and that she was in the car beside him when he was shot.
22 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatNoel Kirwan was shot dead outside his home. (irishtimes.com, irishmirror.ie)
  • whereMr Kirwan was shot at St Ronan’s Drive, Clondalkin, Dublin 22. (irishtimes.com)
  • whereThe shooting happened on St Ronan's Drive, Clondalkin, west Dublin. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whenMr Kirwan was shot on 22 December 2016. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenKirwan was shot six times on 22 December 2016. (irishmirror.ie)
  • causeMr Kirwan was targeted by the Kinahan crime organisation. (irishtimes.com)
  • causeGardaí said Mr Kirwan was not involved in criminality. (irishtimes.com)
  • causeA tracking device was attached to Mr Kirwan's car to monitor his movements. (irishtimes.com)
  • causeKirwan was reportedly targeted because of a false belief that he was linked to the Hutch organisation. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationGardaí found a laptop and an instruction manual linked to the tracking device in an apartment. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationDNA matching Brady was found on a toothbrush taken from the apartment. (irishtimes.com, irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationGardaí said Kirwan was not involved in criminality. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationA tracking device was attached to Kirwan's car to monitor his movements up to the shooting. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationBrady and another man were seen on CCTV entering and leaving an apartment complex in Sandyford. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationGardaí have no evidence that Brady owned or operated the laptop used to communicate with the tracker. (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeBrady pleaded guilty to participating in a criminal organisation, namely the murder of Mr Kirwan, contrary to Section 72 of the Criminal Justice Act. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeBrady admitted participating in a criminal organisation between October and December 2016 in connection with Kirwan's murder. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtThe Special Criminal Court heard details of Brady's involvement in facilitating Mr Kirwan's murder at a sentencing hearing. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe hearing was adjourned to 30 April to allow a probation report to be prepared. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe hearing was adjourned to April 30 so a probation report could be prepared. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherDetective Superintendent Mark O'Neill agreed Brady may not have been aware of the specific purpose of the tracker. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherMr Kirwan's partner said he was murdered senselessly and for no good reason. (irishtimes.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 27 Feb2024
    In courtirishmirror.ie, first report
    Partner of murdered Noel Kirwan says 'soulmate had his life extinguished'

    Court report on the sentencing hearing at the Special Criminal Court. It adds the victim's partner's statement, details of the tracking device and CCTV evidence, Brady's guilty admission to facilitating the murder, and the adjournment to April 30.

    victim, Christopher (aka Noel) Kirwan, 62, male, irish (judged from name)Christopher (aka Noel) Kirwanconvicted, Declan “Mr Nobody” Brady, 57, male, named, irish (judged from name)Declan “Mr Nobody” Brady
  2. 26 Feb2024
    Convictedirishtimes.com, follow-up
    Family of innocent grandfather ‘murdered senselessly’ by Kinahan gang ‘live in torment forever’

    Reports the sentencing hearing for Declan Brady, who pleaded guilty to participating in a criminal organisation by facilitating the murder. Adds details of the tracking device, evidence found in an apartment, and victim impact statements from Mr Kirwan's partner and daughter.

    victim, Noel Kirwan, 62, male, irish (judged from name)Noel Kirwanvictim, Bernadette Roe, female, irish (judged from name)Bernadette Roeconvicted, Declan Brady, 57, male, named, irish (judged from name)Declan Brady