Prisoner who was charged with Coolock murder admits to lesser offence

Fionnuala Walsh

A 42-year-old prisoner who was originally charged with the murder of a man shot dead in the north of the city more than five years ago has pleaded guilty to participating in the activity of a crime gang.

Paul Clarke, with an address at Coolock Drive, Coolock, was brought before the Central Criminal Court on Monday.

He pleaded guilty to the participation in the activity of a criminal organisation contrary to section 72 of the Criminal Justice Act 2006, as substituted by section 6 of the Criminal Law (Amendment) Act 2009.

The court heard that Clarke, on dates between the 23rd and 24th of November 2019, both dates inclusive, at locations within Dublin, did, with knowledge of the existence of a criminal organisation, participate in, or contribute to, the killing of Eoin Boylan at Clonshaugh Avenue, Dublin, intending to, or being reckless as to whether such participation or continuation could, either enhance the ability of, or facilitate the commission by, the criminal organisation, or any of its members, to commit this serious offence.

Clarke was originally charged before the District Court in March 2025 with the murder of Boylan.

Defence counsel Michael O'Higgins said that his client was currently serving a lengthy sentence in custody but asked that a probation report be prepared, as he is “doing well” at the moment.

Judge Paul McDermott listed the case for October 5th and requested that a probation report be produced on that date.

Eoin Boylan was shot six times as he stood at the front of his family home on Clonshaugh Avenue on the evening of November 24th, 2019. He was pronounced dead later at nearby Beaumont Hospital.