Several prisoners, including a suspected Kinahan cartel hitman have been interviewed by gardai about the murder of Robert O’Connor.
The Irish Mirror understands that gardai went into Mountjoy Prison in the last number of days and conducted a number of interviews with prisoners, including key suspects over the July 29 beating and subsequent death of O’Connor.
One of the men interviewed by gardai is understood to be serving a sentence for his role in a botched murder plot as part of the Kinahan Hutch feud.
Following the interviews gardai are set to send a file to the Director of Public Prosecutions - which will now decide whether there will be any charges.
It is also understood that gardai quizzed prisoners who are suspected to have been involved in, or had knowledge of a prior assault against Mr O’Connor, that occurred just two days before the attack that led to his death.
One of the men questioned in relation to that first attack, in which O’Connor was hit over the head with a kettle - is currently serving a sentence for assault.
He is also associated with the Kinahan cartel - and was once a key member of the so-called ‘Gucci Gang’ led by West Dublin mobster ‘Mr Flashy.’
In a statement to the Irish Mirror, gardai confirmed the interviews occurred in relation to both assaults - and that a file is being prepared for the DPP.
“Gardaí at Mountjoy Garda Station are investigating a violent disorder incident which occurred on the 27th July 2022 at Mountjoy Prison where a male was assaulted.
“A number of males have been interviewed and a file is being prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions,” a spokesperson said.
“Gardaí at Montjoy Garda Station have also interviewed a number of males in relation to the fatal assault of Robert O’Connor on the 29th July 2022 at Mountjoy Prison and a file is being prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions,” the spokesperson added.
The first assault against O’Connor led to prison authorities making the decision to transfer him to another part of the jail.
O’Connor was subsequently lured to his death after prisoners called him up to a landing where he was mercilessly beaten in another prisoner’s cell.
As the Irish Mirror previously revealed - gardai established the suspected motive for the assault- with it all stemming from a female associate of Mr O’Connor being assaulted with an iron bar outside of prison months before.
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Officers believe O’Connor (34), who was serving a sentence for possession of a firearm, ordered an attack on a prisoner who he felt was responsible for the assault on the female.
Following that incident a revenge attack on O’Connor was planned - and this eventually led to the shocking incident on the evening of Friday, July 29.
Gardai now believe that Mr O’Connor was kicked to death - with one of the four men stamping on his head during the ordeal - which is believed to have lasted mere seconds.
Sources say prison staff acted "within five seconds" after witnessing four prisoners, including a notorious member of the Kinahan cartel following O'Connor into a cell on the C2 landing - where he had been lured just moments before.
As a brave prison officer attempted to intervene, he was met with aggression from one of the gang - who was eventually forcibly removed from the cell.
O'Connor was discovered by shocked staff lying on the ground in a pool of blood with his eyes open - and his shorts pulled down to his ankles.
“It’s believed they tried to humiliate him,” a source said. They didn’t intend for him to die, but rather to give him a hiding and leave him there with his pants down.”
Sources say prison officers discovered O’Connor in this state - and his shorts were pulled back up - while medical personnel rushed to the cell.
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As medical staff battled to save Mr O’Connor, he stopped breathing - and was eventually revived, transported to hospital - but died days later.
Sources have also revealed that gardai in Mountjoy Garda Station were formally notified about the incident over the phone just before 6:30pm - almost a half an hour after O’Connor was first discovered unresponsive in the cell on the landing.
It is understood that officers from that garda station arrived at the prison over an hour after that - and remained there for several hours as CCTV footage was obtained and witnesses were spoken to.
During that time the four suspects, who had all been isolated from one another, had their clothes removed for forensic examination - and a total of seven other prison cells were locked down as part of the investigation.
The full suspected motive for the attack has been established by investigating officers.
Officers believe O’Connor’s female associate was badly assaulted - and that he then ordered an attack on who he blamed over it in June.
But the person attacked by O’Connor’s associate then sought revenge of their own - and through a pal arranged for the coordinated attack in Mountjoy.
Speaking out at his son’s funeral in August, the victim’s heartbroken father Leo O’Connor called for “no retaliation.”
“I would hate to see any retaliation. I’m begging anyone if they hear anything to do something to stop it,” he told the congregation gathered at his son’s funeral at the Church of Our Lady Immaculate, in Darndale, North Co Dublin.
“I loved my son unconditionally,” he said in an emotional speech during the funeral Mass.
He also described his son as a “beautiful” person who had “lost his way” somewhat.
Speaking of his son’s killing, Mr O’Connor added : “People who get life... they’ll all see their families again.
“I won’t get to see my son anymore and neither will my family or his friends, or all the ones that love him.
“I would hate to see any retaliation. I’m begging anyone if they hear anything to do something to stop it.”
He added that neither he nor his son would have wanted to see that happen.
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