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. 6749Murder (facilitating) · Co. Dublin · 22 Dec 2016

Trial opens of man accused of topping up phone used in murder of Christopher 'Noel' Kirwan

Christopher 'Noel' Kirwan was shot dead as he sat in his Ford Mondeo outside his home in Dublin just after 5pm on 22 December 2016. The prosecution says he was mistakenly thought to be connected to the Regency Hotel attack, in which David Byrne was shot dead in 2016. Michael Crotty, aged 40, was arrested on 2 March 2021 and questioned by gardaí. Crotty is accused of facilitating the murder by topping up a mobile phone used in the shooting, and he has pleaded not guilty to a single charge before the three-judge, non-jury Special Criminal Court. His trial opened in January 2024.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court17 Jan
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Christopher 'Noel' Kirwan was shot dead as he sat in his Ford Mondeo car.
Where
  • The shooting happened outside Kirwan's home in Dublin.
  • The prosecution says Crotty bought a top-up for the third phone at a Spar shop in Naas, Co Kildare.
When
The shooting happened just after 5pm on 22 December 2016.
Cause
  • The prosecution says Kirwan was perhaps mistakenly thought to be connected to those who carried out the Regency Hotel attack.
  • The Regency Hotel attack occurred in 2016 during a boxing weigh-in, when David Byrne was shot dead and others were injured.
Other details
  • The prosecution says the Regency Hotel attack led to a number of reprisals.
  • Crotty has no previous criminal convictions.
Investigation
  • Gardaí found a tracker device attached to the bottom of Kirwan's car.
  • The prosecution alleges three prepaid, unregistered mobile phones were linked to the shooting.
  • Crotty was arrested on 2 March 2021 and questioned by gardaí.
Charges
Crotty is accused of facilitating Kirwan's murder by topping up a mobile phone.
In court
  • Crotty has pleaded not guilty to a single charge of helping to facilitate Kirwan's murder.
  • The trial is before the three-judge, non-jury Special Criminal Court and opened in January 2024.
  • A party referred to only as AB cannot be identified under a court ruling.
13 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatChristopher 'Noel' Kirwan was shot dead as he sat in his Ford Mondeo car. (irishtimes.com)
  • whereThe shooting happened outside Kirwan's home in Dublin. (irishtimes.com)
  • whereThe prosecution says Crotty bought a top-up for the third phone at a Spar shop in Naas, Co Kildare. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenThe shooting happened just after 5pm on 22 December 2016. (irishtimes.com)
  • causeKirwan was mistakenly thought to be connected to those who carried out the Regency Hotel attack. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationGardaí found a tracker device attached to the bottom of Kirwan's car. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationThe prosecution alleges three prepaid, unregistered mobile phones were linked to the shooting. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationCrotty was arrested on 2 March 2021 and questioned by gardaí. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeCrotty is accused of facilitating Kirwan's murder by topping up a mobile phone. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe trial is before the three-judge, non-jury Special Criminal Court. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtCrotty has pleaded not guilty to a single charge of helping to facilitate Kirwan's murder. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtA party referred to only as AB cannot be identified under a court ruling. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherCrotty has no previous criminal convictions. (irishtimes.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 17 Jan2024
    In courtirishtimes.com, first report
    Trial opens of man alleged to have topped up mobile phone used in murder of Christopher ‘Noel’ Kirwan

    Reports the opening of Michael Crotty's Special Criminal Court trial, including the prosecution's account of the tracker device, the three prepaid phones and the Naas phone top-up, and that Crotty has pleaded not guilty.

    victim, Christopher 'Noel' Kirwan, male, irish (judged from name)Christopher 'Noel' Kirwanaccused, Michael Crotty, 40, male, named, irish (judged from name)Michael Crotty