Kinahan cartel believed 'Mago' Gately was involved in Regency attack, court hears

The Special Criminal Court heard evidence on 21 June 2021 regarding David Duffy, aged 34, from Convoy, County Donegal, who pleaded guilty in April to knowledge of a criminal organisation and participation in activities connected with the murder of James Gately between December 2016 and April 2017. Detective Garda Tony Kennedy told the three-judge court that the Kinahan cartel believed Gately was involved in the Regency Hotel shooting in February 2016, in which gang member David Byrne was killed. This belief motivated the conspiracy to murder Gately. The garda outlined that Duffy provided logistical support to the plot, including moving vehicles and purchasing tracker devices under instructions from others. An Estonian national, Imre Arakas, was brought to Ireland to carry out the murder but was arrested before the attack. A subsequent murder attempt by another man left Gately shot five times but alive. Duffy's defence counsel highlighted his early guilty plea, underlying substance abuse issues, and rehabilitation efforts whilst in custody. Sentencing was adjourned until 30 July 2021.