A drug vigilante supplied the gun used to kill a heroin dealer, "Chester" Beatty, because he feared for his life, Dublin Circuit Criminal Court has been told. John O'Dwyer had wanted to give Mr Beatty "a warning", but the gunman shot Mr Beatty dead while he drank in a pub in 1997.
The court was told O'Dwyer blamed Mr Beatty for the death of his nephew, Mark Dwyer, murdered by the Joe Delaney drugs gang in December 1996. O'Dwyer (57), Church Street, Dublin, pleaded guilty to having a Smith and Wesson revolver at Beresford Street on November 30th, 1997, the day Mr Beatty was murdered.
Judge Frank O'Donnell adjourned sentencing until December 3rd with O'Dwyer on continuing bail and ordered the preparation of a probation report.
Det Insp John McMahon said O'Dwyer became involved with the anti-drugs movement in the early 1980s. In 1995 he was shot at six times as he drove near his home and his wife's car was burnt out a week previously. Family members had also been assaulted and Mass cards with O'Dwyer's name on them had been sent to his home.