Courts

Non-jury trial for men accused of murdering gangland figure Eamon Kelly

Kenneth Donohoe and Darren Murphy objected to case going before Special Criminal Court

Kenneth Donohoe, of Hazelgrove Estate, Tallaght, Dublin 24, is to be tried at the Special Criminal Court over the murder of Eamon Kelly in 2012. Photograph: Collins Courts.
Kenneth Donohoe, of Hazelgrove Estate, Tallaght, Dublin 24, is to be tried at the Special Criminal Court over the murder of Eamon Kelly in 2012. Photograph: Collins Courts.
Olga Cronin
Mon Nov 04 2019 - 13:01

Two men accused of the murder of gangland figure Eamon Kelly in Dublin in 2012 are to be tried at the Special Criminal Court, despite their objections.

Kenneth Donohoe (43), of Hazelgrove Estate, Tallaght, Dublin 24, and Darren Murphy (49), of Rory O’Connor House, Dublin 1, had opposed a decision by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to have them returned for trial before the non-jury court.

However, Mr Justice Paul Coffey, presiding alongside Judge Sinéad Ní Chúlacháin and Judge James Faughnan, on Monday granted order requests from State Solicitor Michael O’Donovan for both men to be tried in Special Criminal Court 1.

Darren Murphy, of Rory O’Connor House, Dublin 1, is to be tried at the Special Criminal Court over the murder of Eamon Kelly in 2012. Photograph: Collins Courts.
Darren Murphy, of Rory O’Connor House, Dublin 1, is to be tried at the Special Criminal Court over the murder of Eamon Kelly in 2012. Photograph: Collins Courts.

In certain cases, the DPP can certify that in his or her opinion the ordinary courts are inadequate to secure the effective administration of justice.

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The two men were charged in May with murdering Kelly at Furry Park Road, Killester, on December 4th, 2012. They also faced a connected firearms charge for unlawful possession of a Glock pistol with intent to endanger life.

Kelly (65), a father-of-nine, was shot a number of times in the chest as he walked towards his home.