Man gets life for 2012 killing

A Dublin man has been sentenced to life imprisonment after a jury found him guilty of the murder of 35-year-old John Wilson in 2012.

Keith O’Neill, aged 40, from Lissadell Drive, Drimnagh, in Dublin, had pleaded not guilty to murdering John Wilson, aged 35, on September 28, 2012, at his home on Cloverhill Road, Ballyfermot, Dublin 10.

John Wilson was shot twice in the hallway of his house more than two years ago.

The two-week trial heard that the daughter of the deceased told gardaí in a statement: “I just heard ‘bang bang bang’ — I could see my dad rolling around. I feel a little bit sad and a little happy because my dad is away from the bad boys now”.

The Central Criminal Court heard that the deceased had driven to his home with his seven-year-old daughter and a friend when a gunman entered his house through the open front door and shot him from behind.

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The Dublin man received two gunshot wounds to the left arm and to the chest, fatally injuring internal organs.

The jury deliberated for three hours thirty-nine minutes over two days before reaching a unanimous verdict.

Mr Justice Tony Hunt told the jury he would make no observations on their verdict.

“It is entirely sensible based on the evidence I heard. I am not going to speculate as to what the background of this case is.

“I will proceed to pass the mandatory life sentence and express sincere sympathy and condolences to the family and friends of Mr Wilson and in particular his daughter.”

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