A convicted murderer with 99 previous convictions who conspired to murder a man shot dead while wheeling his four-month-old son in a pram in broad daylight five years ago has been sentenced to seven years in prison.
Robert Redmond, aged 35, who is currently serving a life sentence for the murder of another man and 12 years for possession of firearms, pleaded guilty to conspiring with others to murder 22-year-old Jordan Davis on or about 22 May 2019.
Mr Justice Paul McDermott said Redmond had been deeply involved in a "cold blooded and well planned" killing of a man who was shot down in front of his infant son.
Jordan Davis was fatally shot by a gunman on a bike in a laneway beside Our Lady of Immaculate National School in Darndale on 22 May 2019.
He suffered three gunshot wounds including one to the head that killed him instantly.
In 2022, 33-year-old Wayne Cooney was jailed for life for the murder of Mr Davis after a jury found he was the gunman who fired eight shots in the laneway.
The prosecution had told the jury in Cooney's trial that Mr Davis was a drug dealer who had been threatened because he owed another dealer €70,000.
Today, the court heard that phones linked to Redmond with a previous address at Streamville Road, Kilbarrack, Dublin 13, had been in contact with the gunman before and after the murder.
Text messages between the victim and Redmond were also found on the victim's phone.
They included a row about money owed for a drug debt.
The exchange of messages included a dispute over how much Jordan Davis had paid towards a €70,000 debt.
Some of the messages read: "Lad who you trying to be?"
"F**ing clown that can’t pay bills trying to be a big man, I heard a lot about you trust me I’ll get you soon" and "I’m on your case mate, it won’t be long" followed by "get off me phone, very soon bang bang".
Two searches of Redmond’s home also found "tick lists" with the name 'Jordo’ on them beside amounts of money owed.
In a victim impact statement read to the court Jordan Davis’ mother Sandra, who was not in court today, described her son as a "gentle giant".
She said the family had struggled since he was killed but he was constantly remembered through his son who was like him in so many ways.
She said his partner was heartbroken and his murder was a nightmare for their family.
"I pray it never happens to any other family," she said.
She said she was reminded of him every time she looked at her grandson and thanked all those who progressed the case to this stage.
Ms Jordan said the family were still struggling with after effects and had received counselling and had to move home and schools.
The court was told Redmond has 99 previous convictions including one for murder for which he is currently serving a life sentence. He also has convictions for having drugs for sale and supply, blackmail, extortion, threats to kill, possession of firearms, assault, trespass, and road traffic offences.
Defence Counsel Dean Kelly asked the judge to be as lenient as possible and take into account his client's guilty plea and cooperation with gardaí.
He said Redmond had an "abysmal" childhood characterised by alcohol abuse and violence.
His mother had left the home when he was 11, leaving him in the care of a 17-year-old sister.
Mr Kelly said since then he had spiralled into antisocial behaviour due to a lack of supervision and school attendance and developed addiction problems, having had his first prison sentence imposed in his early 20s.
The seven-year sentence was imposed consecutively to a firearms sentence imposed in December 2022.
Mr Justice Paul McDermott described the murder as "cold blooded and well planned" with devastating consequences for the victim's family.
He said it was carried out without any concern for the endangerment of others, in broad daylight close to a school.
He said a young boy who had cycled past could have been hit, along with the baby in the buggy.
He said Redmond had been deeply involved at all stages of the conspiracy to murder.
He said the victim had been shot down in front of his infant son which was clearly intended.
In December 2022, Redmond was sentenced to the mandatory term of life imprisonment for murdering father-of-eight Barry Wolverson (40) at Madigan's Yard, Kileek Lane, Swords, Co Dublin, at around midday on 17 January 2020.
He also received a 12-year sentence for possession of firearms.
Redmond was also jailed by the Special Criminal Court for six years in 2023 for his part in helping to move a submachine gun that was recovered during a garda operation in 2020.
