Alleged members of Kinahan hit team remanded in custody

Four men have been remanded in custody charged with conspiracy to murder a man in Dublin’s north inner city.

Alan Wilson, Luke Wilson, Liam Brannigan and Joseph Kelly are accused of plotting to murder Gary Hanley (28).

In an operation targeting organised crime gangs, gardaí arrested the four men last Monday evening and also seized a firearm.

The inquiry was in connection with the ongoing feud between the rival Hutch and Kinhan gangs in which 12 people have died. The four were arrested for conspiracy to murder and were detained for the past week under the provisions of section 50 of the Criminal Justice Act 2007.

They were charged over the weekend and held pending their appearance before Judge Michael Walsh at Dublin District Court on Monday morning.

Alan Wilson (38), from New Street Gardens, Dublin 8 and Mr Brannigan (37), from Bride Street, Dublin 8 are charged with conspiracy to murder Mr Hanley at a location within the State between September 15th and November 6th.

Mr Kelly (35), from Kilworth Road, Drimnagh, Dublin 12, and Luke Wilson (23), from Cremona Road in Ballyfermot, Dublin 10, are also accused of conspiracy to murder Mr Hanley. They also face two other firearms charges for unlawful possession of Beretta handgun and 15 rounds of ammunition with intent to endanger life at Philipsburgh Avenue, Fairview, Dublin 3 on November 6th, the date of their arrest.

They have not yet indicated how they will plead to the charges.

‘No comment’

They were remanded in custody by request of gardaí to appear via video-link at Cloverhill District Court on Thursday. The district court cannot grant bail in a murder conspiracy case.

Det Garda John Rourke told Judge Michael Walsh that Mr Kelly replied “no comment” when he was charged. Defence solicitor Cahir O’Higgins said his client was on social welfare and the judge granted him legal aid.

Det Garda Declan Maloney said Luke Wilson “made no reply” when he was charged. His solicitor John O’Doherty said Luke Wilson was on social welfare and legal aid was granted.

Mr Brannigan answered "no comment" when he was charged on Saturday night, Det Garda Anthony Kennedy said. Defence solicitor Edward Bradbury applied for legal aid but the court was told there would be a Garda objection. Mr Bradbury said his client had been on social welfare until eight weeks ago and lived with his mother. Judge Walsh deferred ruling on the application and said the defendant's details had to be verified by the Department of Social Protection and passed on to the prosecuting garda.

Alan Wilson “made no reply after each charge”, Det Garda Brian Johnston told the court. He was granted legal aid.