Thug admits role in vicious gang attack on Glasgow man

Stock image of police <i>(Image: Police Scotland)</i>
Stock image of police (Image: Police Scotland)
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A thug has admitted being involved in a brutal gang attack on a man following an apparent drugs dispute.

Sean Gilhooley, 29, was part of the four-strong mob who ambushed Raymond Dyer in broad daylight in Glasgow's Drumchapel on March 23, 2024.

Dyer, 35, was left for dead by the laughing assailants after he was struck with machetes, swords and a baseball bat.

He was discovered stricken in the street by his mother. Dyer survived the hit bid despite his horror injuries.

Gilhooley has now pleaded guilty to an attempted murder charge as he appeared in the dock at the High Court in Glasgow.

It emerged he had previously been jailed for five years in 2017 for discharging a shotgun.

He is now back behind bars and will be sentenced next month.

Prosecutors revealed in court how Gilhooley had teamed up with others that morning including Jordan Steele, who has since passed away.

Advocate depute Eilidh Robertson stated Steele - before his death on May 4 2024 - was said to be "extensively documented as being involved in serious and organised crime during his life".

Steele was known to Dyer and his mother Jacqueline.

Miss Robertson said: "It is not clear what caused this incident, but there appears to be a suggestion that Raymond Dyer had in some way wronged local drug dealers who Steele controlled."

The court heard Dyer had left his home that morning and appeared "worried".

He had been in a local shop and asked someone to look outside to check if there was a car following him.

Dyer went on to leave before a grey 4x4 vehicle sped past a taxi to catch him.

Four men leapt out clutching weapons and turned on Dyer even after he had fallen to the ground from the vicious blows.

It was Dyer's mother who discovered her badly injured son.

He groaned: "Mum, the blood is pumping out of my back."

The grey SUV then pulled up back beside them. Steele was said to be driving and Gilhooley front seat passenger.

The mum stated Steele shouted: "You are getting done next."

Another witness described the woman "screaming and begging them to leave".

Miss Robertson said: "This person did not see the driver, but the window behind was down.

"The male in that seat leaned out the window and he was holding a long knife, like  a sword.

"The witness could hear people laughing in the car."

The court heard Dyer suffered "significant" injuries to his legs and hands.

Other wounds included one described as "very deep" on his chest. He also had a collapsed lung

Miss Robertson said: "At no time, did he say how he came by these injuries."

The hearing was told Dyer's life had been in danger had he not been treated in time.

He has been left with restricted movement in his hands and left leg.


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The 4x4 driven during the attack was traced by police.

It was found to be a grey Volkswagen Tiguan linked to Steele. He had been captured on CCTV driving it away from a local McDonald's days after the murder bid.

The vehicle was discovered at an address in Drumchapel on April 10. Gilhooley's DNA was later traced in the SUV.

The advocate depute said the Crown cannot say for definite who wielded what weapon although Gilhooley stated he had been armed with the baseball bat.

Miss Robertson added Gilhooley's guilty plea was accepted on basis he had been part of a "concerted attack" on Dyer with others.

Lady Drummond continued his remand in custody as sentencing was adjourned until next month in Edinburgh.

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