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. 0868Conspiracy to murder · Co. Dublin · 3 Dec 2021

Two men plead guilty to conspiracy to murder in Tallaght

Jason Dunne, 35, of Ballyfermot, and Craig Hayes, 27, of Tallaght, pleaded guilty at the Central Criminal Court on 8 June 2026 to conspiring to murder Thomas McDonnell in west Dublin. The alleged conspiracy took place between 28 November and 3 December 2021, with the initial charge relating to an incident at Cookstown Lane, Tallaght, on 3 December 2021. The men had first appeared at Tallaght District Court charged with the attempted murder of McDonnell before facing the conspiracy to murder charge. Both were remanded to 10 July 2026 for sentencing, with Hayes in custody and Dunne on continuing bail.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Convicted8 Jun
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • Two men pleaded guilty to conspiring to murder Thomas McDonnell in west Dublin.
  • The men were initially charged with the attempted murder of McDonnell at Cookstown Lane, Tallaght, on 3 December 2021.
Where
The alleged incident took place at Cookstown Lane, Tallaght, in west Dublin.
When
The conspiracy to murder is alleged to have occurred between 28 November and 3 December 2021.
Charges
Jason Dunne, 35, of Cedarbrook Place, Ballyfermot, and Craig Hayes, 27, of Cushlawn Park, Tallaght, each entered a guilty plea to one count of conspiracy to commit the murder of Thomas McDonnell.
In court
  • The men initially appeared before Tallaght District Court before being charged with conspiracy to murder at the Central Criminal Court.
  • On 8 June 2026, both pleaded guilty before Judge Paul McDermott at the Central Criminal Court.
  • A trial date set for 5 October 2026 could be vacated following the guilty pleas.
Sentence
Both were remanded to 10 July 2026 for sentencing, with Hayes in custody and Dunne on continuing bail.
7 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatTwo men pleaded guilty to conspiring to murder another man in west Dublin over four years ago. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatJason Dunne, 35, of Cedarbrook Place, Ballyfermot, was arraigned in person. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatCraig Hayes, 27, of Cushlawn Park, Tallaght, appeared by video-link. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeBoth entered guilty pleas to one count each of conspiracy to commit the murder of Thomas McDonnell between 28 November and 3 December 2021. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtBoth were remanded to 10 July for sentencing; Hayes in custody and Dunne on continuing bail. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtJudge Paul McDermott was told a trial date set for 5 October could be vacated. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe men initially appeared before Tallaght District Court charged with the attempted murder of McDonnell at Cookstown Lane, Tallaght, on 3 December 2021. (irishtimes.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 8 Jun2026
    Convictedirishtimes.com, first report
    Two men plead guilty to conspiring to murder in west Dublin

    Guilty pleas entered at the Central Criminal Court; sentencing adjourned to 10 July 2026. Hayes remanded in custody, Dunne on continuing bail.

    victim, Thomas McDonnell, male, irish (judged from name)Thomas McDonnellconvicted, Jason Dunne, 35, male, named, irish (judged from name)Jason Dunneconvicted, Craig Hayes, 27, male, named, irish (judged from name)Craig Hayes