Gun supplier 'celebrated' over crime boss murder, court told

Summarised from 3 outlets · Updated 14 Oct, 15:59 · Archive

A man accused of supplying the gun used to murder Irish crime boss Robbie Lawlor allegedly celebrated the killing in encrypted messages with the operation's mastermind, a court heard. Paul Drew, 41, a Dublin-based plumber, is said to have also helped supply vehicles and surveillance for the assassination.

Lawlor, 36, was shot dead in broad daylight outside a house on Etna Drive in the Ardoyne area of north Belfast on 4 April 2020. Detectives believe he attended a pre-arranged meeting at the home of co-accused Adrian Holland, 42, when an unidentified gunman emerged from the property and opened fire.

At the time Lawlor was a suspect in the abduction and murder of Drogheda teenager Keane Mulready-Woods in January 2020. He is thought to have travelled to Northern Ireland because he feared an attempt on his own life.

Drew, of Whitebrook Park in Tallaght, was arrested in Liverpool last month. Evidence against him involves text communications and data obtained from the EncroChat encrypted communications network. Belfast Magistrates' Court heard Drew has been identified as the alleged user of the handle 'ordinary' on the platform. An investigating detective claimed he played a role in supplying vehicles and provided assistance in surveilling Lawlor's movements.

The court also heard that Drew later laughed with the operation's so-called 'Mr Big' about wrong people being arrested in the immediate aftermath of the killing. He faces charges of murder and possessing a firearm with intent to endanger life in connection with the assassination. Bail was refused.

How it is being reported

• Robbie Lawlor murder accused “celebrated triumphantly” and laughed over wrong arrests, court hearsThe Dublin-based plumber later laughed with the operation’s so-called ‘Mr Big’ about the wrong people being arrested in the immediate aftermath, a judge was toldBelfast Live · 14 Oct, 15:42
• Court hears claim that crime boss murder was 'celebrated triumphantly'A man allegedly provided the gun used to murder Irish crime boss Robbie Lawlor and “celebrated triumphantly” in encrypted messages with the mastermind behind the plot, a court heard today.News Letter · 14 Oct, 15:22
• Gun supplier ‘celebrated triumphantly’ over Robbie Lawlor killing, court toldBelfast Telegraph · 14 Oct, 15:14

In this story: Robbie Lawlor · Paul Drew · Adrian Holland · Keane Mulready-Woods · Belfast · Dublin · EncroChat

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