Warrant issued for gangland-style murder getaway driver

Eoin Reynolds

An arrest warrant has been issued after a criminal failed to comply with the conditions of his release following his conviction for acting as a getaway driver in the gangland-style murder of a loving father who had no involvement in crime.

Eric Shorthall was sentenced to six years and nine months in prison in November 2020 for assisting murderer Warren Nolan following the fatal shooting of Alan O'Neill.

Nolan shot Mr O'Neill dead on May 27th, 2015, in the driveway of the victim's home on Kiltalown Road in Tallaght.

Nolan (28), of Rowlagh Park in Clondalkin was convicted in December 2018 of Mr O'Neill's murder, and of burning out the car used in the shooting. He is serving a life sentence.

The plan was that Shorthall would act as the second getaway driver once Nolan had burned out the car used in the hit.

However, gardaí who happened to be in the area heard the call of a shooting on their garda radio, saw a car being set on fire and arrested Nolan as he ran towards where Shorthall was waiting in his own car.

Shorthall (28), with a former address at Muskerry Road, Ballyfermot, Dublin `10 but now of Thomond Rd in Ballyfermot, was jailed for six years and nine months with the final nine months suspended for two years.

Passing sentence in 2020, Mr Justice Paul McDermott suspended the nine months on condition that Shorthall keep the peace and attend all appointments deemed appropriate by the Probation Service.

Mr Justice McDermott heard today that Shorthall has not adhered to the conditions of his release and his probation officer has been unable to contact him. The judge issued a warrant for Shorthall's arrest.