Duck Egg accused admits charge over role in killing
A MAN on trial accused of murdering Noel “Duck Egg” Kirwan in a Kinahan-hutch feud hit has pleaded guilty to his role in the killing.
Jason Keating will be sentenced next month after admitting he facilitated a criminal organisation in carrying out the offence.
The surprise development came after the DPP dropped the murder charge.
Mr Kirwan, 62, was blasted to death as he sat in his car at St Ronan’s Drive, Clondalkin, Dublin, two years ago.
He had been photographed at a funeral alongside his friend Gerry “The Monk” Hutch but had no connection to either side of the Dublin gang war.
Keating’s trial had heard a tracker had been placed under Mr Kirwan’s car in the weeks leading up to his assassination.
The 27-year-old, from Lower Main Street, Rush, Co Dublin, originally pleaded not guilty at the non-jury Special Criminal Court.
State Solicitor Michael O’donovan yesterday told the three-judge court the DPP had directed Keating be brought before the court and charged with the offence of facilitating the commission by a criminal organisation or any of its members of a serious offence contrary to Section 72 of the Criminal Justice Act 2006.
Det Sgt Damien Gannon gave evidence he met Keating yesterday and handed him a copy of the charge sheet, explaining it to him.
When the registrar put the new count to him and asked how he was pleading, he replied: “Guilty”.
Mr Justice Tony Hunt said the law of homicide in this country as it is currently structured is “inflexible”, adding it was long overdue for reform.
He added: “This new charge is most useful in cases where people play parts which fall short of actually pulling the trigger. It provides for some flexibility but also for serious penalties.”
Keating was remanded into custody until November 22, when he will be sentenced.