Female assassin pleads guilty to IRA killing in Dublin

A Limerick woman has pleaded guilty at the Special Criminal Court in Dublin today to murdering a father-of-two as he sat in a van on the driveway of his home.

Rose Lynch (50) gave a clenched fist salute and exclaimed “Mná na hÉireann, tiocfaidh ár lá” as she was led into custody today after unexpectedly pleading guilty to the murder of David Darcy (39) on the day her trial was due to begin.

Lynch was charged in December 2011 with the murder of Mr Darcy, who was shot dead while sitting in his van at Cherry Orchard Avenue on the morning of November 28th, 2011.

Mr Darcy, who was employed as a driver for a local butcher and was originally from Ballyfermot, had been about to go to work when he was killed.

Lynch, with an address at Oakleigh Wood, Dooradoyle,Limerick is also charged with membership of an illegal organisation styling itself the Irish Republican Army, otherwise the IRA, otherwise Oglaigh na hEireann on November 28th, 2011.

Lynch is additionally charged with possession of a shotgun and revolver with intent to endanger life on November 28th 2011, possession of a Walther pistol and eight rounds of ammunition on a date between November 25th and December 14th, 2011 and possession of 25 rounds of 9mm ammunition at the Naas Road, Dublin on December 15th, 2011.

She was arraigned on the murder count alone today and proffered a plea of guilty.

Paul Greene SC, for the State, asked that sentencing in the matter be held over until tomorrow as there were procedural aspects that needed to be “ironed out” by both the prosecution and defence. He said it was also appropriate that sentencing commence tomorrow given the seriousness of the murder charge and the sensitivities associated with it. The mandatory sentence for murder is life imprisonment.

Mr Greene also said that he had just received a victim impact report from Mr Darcy’s partner and that the victim’s father was due to furnish a document later today.

Presiding judge Ms Elizabeth Dunne said the court would remand Lynch in custody and adjourn the sentence hearing until tomorrow.