Ex-Fianna Fáil councillor admits soliciting to murder charges

A 39-year-old former Fianna Fáil councillor has pleaded guilty to soliciting someone to kill a garda, a Revenue official and an accountant.

Gary O’Flynn of Hayfield Drive, Whitechurch, Co Cork pleaded guilty to the three separate charges when he was arraigned before the jury panel at Cork Circuit Criminal Court.

O’Flynn pleaded guilty to soliciting a named person between October 1st, 2012 and February 15th, 2013 at Mallow Road, Cork to murder Garda Mary Skehan

O’Flynn also pleaded guilty to soliciting the same named person between October 1st, 2012 and February 15th, 2013 at Mallow Road, Cork to murder Revenue official, George Ross.

And he also pleaded guilty to soliciting the same named person between October 1st, 2012 and February 15th, 2013 at Mallow Road, Cork to murder accountant, Patrick Sweeney.

Following the pleas, Judge Sean Ó Donnabháin remanded O’Flynn to appear in court at 1pm when the issue of bail pending sentence on the three charges was addressed.

At 1pm, defence counsel, Majorie Farrelly SC said that following discussions with the prosecution, her client was not making any application for bail in respect of the charges.

Judge Ó Donnabháin noted her submission and he remanded O’Flynn in custody for sentence at Cork Circuit Criminal Court on April 22nd

He also granted O’Flynn free legal aid to allow psychiatrist Dr Eugene Morgan prepare a medical report on him for the sentencing hearing.

Prosecution counsel, Tom Creed SC said that the State would have all the necessary reports including victim impact statements prepared in time for the heating.

O’Flynn served on Cork City Council from autumn 2003, when he was co-opted to replace his father, former Fianna Fáil TD, Noel O’Flynn, until he stood down in December 2008.