Book of evidence 'ready in two weeks' for Kirwan killing trial

Jason Keating (25) blew a kiss to a female friend as he was led out of Cloverhill District Court by prison officers.

Judge Kathryn Hutton further remanded Mr Keating in custody to a date next month for the service of the book of evidence.

The accused man, of Lower Main Street, Rush, was charged with the murder of 62-year-old Kirwan on December 22 last year.

The dead man, a friend of Gerry 'The Monk' Hutch, was sitting in a car outside his house on St Ronan's Drive, Clondalkin, when he was shot several times.

He was the 10th person to die in the ongoing Hutch-Kinahan feud.

His partner was sitting in the passenger seat of the car but was not injured in the shooting.

Anxious

When the matter came before Cloverhill Court yesterday, a state solicitor said the book of evidence was not yet ready.

She asked for a two-week adjournment.

Defence solicitor Robert Purcell said Mr Keating has been in custody since the beginning of May and was anxious that matters be progressed.

Mr Purcell asked the judge to mark the matter peremptory for the book of evidence.

This means the charge could be struck out if the book is not available.

Judge Hutton said she would not make a peremptory ruling, but would note "hope for progress".

A state solicitor said the book "will be ready" on the next date.

Mr Keating has not yet indicated how he is pleading to the charge.

He did not address the court during the hearing.