Posted by He’s being freed after serving nine of the twelve year sentence
During his time in prison, O’Connell has been investigated over assaults on other inmates and also caught with drugs.
He’s being freed after serving nine of the twelve year sentence he received for trying to kill McCormack on April 8, 2016.
We understand O’Connell has been classified as homeless and is also on the sex offenders register for an “indefinite” time.
As part of his release conditions, he has to notify Gardai of his location.
He’s one of ten sex offenders being released by the Irish Prison Service in May.
One jail source said: “O’Connell was a particularly nasty prisoner and wasn’t well liked in the prison.
“He found himself in trouble on many occasions but has been keeping a low profile in the last two years.
“Hopefully he keeps himself out of trouble but he still has connections to those involved in organised crime.
“He didn’t have any address to go to so will be regarded as homeless for the time being.”
Although O’Connell received the twelve year sentence in 2018 for trying to kill McCormack, it was backdated to his arrest in May 16.
McCormack survived the attack because the shotgun misfired as the cartridges were damp.
But the gangland target later lost his life after he suffered multiple gunshot wounds when he was targeted at his home in Bray in December 2023.
Before he tried to kill McCormack, O’Connell received a five year term for rape.
Throughout his involvement in organised crime, he has amassed 65 convictions.
He was also linked to numerous gun attacks in the Wicklow area before he was finally jailed for attempted murder.
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