Gardai identified Thomas “Nicky” McConnell as a contract killer within weeks of Gareth Hutch’s murder in 2016, shedding light on his deep involvement in organized crime during the violent Kinahan-Hutch feud.
McConnell first came under investigation after the February 2016 murder of Vincent Ryan, a Real IRA leader. Police linked him to a vehicle used in the killing, revealing his connection to the Kinahan cartel. McConnell’s criminal network and his role as a cartel hitman made him a key figure in the gangland violence that plagued Dublin.
In May 2016, McConnell, alongside fellow assassin Jonathan Keogh, carried out the brutal killing of Gareth Hutch, nephew of Gerry “The Monk” Hutch. This marked McConnell as one of the most notorious enforcers for the Kinahan cartel.
Before his involvement in Gareth Hutch’s murder, McConnell was linked to the INLA, where he acted as an enforcer for drug gangs in Ballymun. Locals described him as a “bully” with no genuine interest in republican views, driven solely by a love of money and violence.
McConnell is now serving a life sentence, joining three other cartel members convicted for their roles in Hutch’s murder. The convictions have been seen as a victory for justice, bringing some closure to the Hutch family.
The case highlights the enduring impact of gangland violence on communities and the relentless efforts by law enforcement to dismantle organized crime networks.
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