Court archive
Court reports mentioning Carlow Town, Carlow
2026-07-31 · Carlow
Paul Rowland, a man who attempted to strangle his partner in her own home, has been jailed for six years. Rowland, who had denied the charges, was convicted of intentionally or recklessly strangling his partner on January 29, 2025. The court heard that the victim had asked Rowland to leave the property but he refused, and the incident occurred in the presence of their infant child. Judge Mary Morrissey noted the high moral culpability in the case and the fact that Rowland had been drinking and was physically and emotionally abusive towards his partner. She set a headline sentence of six and a half years but reduced it to six years, taking into account Rowland's homelessness, his time in custody, and his lack of remorse. The victim's impact statement highlighted the lasting trauma she experienced, including chronic pain and the impact on her children.
2026-07-31 · Carlow
Fabio De Oliveira Monteiro, a 28-year-old man from Carlow, has pleaded guilty to allowing his bank account to be used to launder €9,650 stolen from a woman through a phishing scam. The victim was tricked into deleting her banking app by a caller posing as her bank, resulting in €19,300 being stolen from her account. Monteiro admitted to providing his account details in exchange for €400, as he was in financial difficulty due to his mother's medical bills and a small drug debt. The court heard that Monteiro has nine previous convictions for road traffic offences and is considered to be at the bottom of the criminal chain in the operation. His defense argued that Monteiro was a victim of others who preyed on his desperation for cash. The judge remanded Monteiro on bail for sentencing next November, noting that he has since secured new employment and is unlikely to come to further garda attention.
2026-07-31 · Carlow
Sabrina Keogh, aged 40 and resident of St Mary's Park, Carlow, pleaded guilty to the murder of Darren Quigley outside a house in Carlow town on 21 October 2024. Mr Justice Paul McDermott remanded her in custody until 6 October, when she will be sentenced to a mandatory life imprisonment term for murder. The judge also ordered impact statements from members of the victim's family.
2026-05-15 · Carlow
William McCarthy (38) of Carlow pleaded guilty to assaulting an Irish Rail ticket inspector and burglarizing a Carlow GAA club. The assault occurred on September 14, 2024, when McCarthy refused to show his ticket and attacked the inspector on the Waterford/Heuston line. The victim suffered injuries including a broken finger and bruising to his face and was treated in hospital. McCarthy also pleaded guilty to criminal damage and theft from the Éire Óg Clubhouse, where he had previously burgled the premises four times. The damage to the cigarette machine was estimated at €2,000, with €2,830 worth of cigarettes and vapes stolen, along with €1,520 in cash. The victim's impact statement highlighted the emotional and financial toll of the assault, including difficulties paying his mortgage and the need for counseling. McCarthy's defense argued that his actions were driven by addiction and desperation to pay off a debt. The judge remanded McCarthy in custody and adjourned sentencing until next week.
2026-03-06 · Carlow
A jury convicted Paul Rowland of intentionally or recklessly strangling his former partner in Carlow. The woman described the lasting impact of the assault in a victim impact statement; Judge Mary Morrissey adjourned sentencing to next May and remanded Rowland in continuing custody.
2026-03-06 · Carlow
A Carlow Circuit Criminal Court jury found Colvin O'Brien not guilty of assault charges involving two gardaí and of threatening and abusive behaviour. O'Brien had pleaded guilty to being intoxicated in a public place, and Judge Mary Morrissey placed him on a 12-month probation bond.
2026-02-27 · Carlow
William McCarthy admitted criminal damage to a wall and cigarette machine and theft of cigarettes and cash at Éire Óg Clubhouse in Carlow. The Carlow Circuit Criminal Court adjourned the case while a victim impact statement and governor's report are prepared; a sentence date is still to be fixed. William McCarthy pleaded guilty.
2026-02-27 · Carlow
Joe Curtin was jailed for 26 months after pleading guilty to one robbery and two attempted robberies in Hanover Park, Carlow. The court heard that three incidents occurred within ten minutes and that Curtin had 75 previous convictions. Judge Mary Morrissey treated the early guilty plea, cooperation and remorse as mitigation while describing his moral culpability as high.
2026-02-20 · Carlow
A serial offender, Joe Curtin, has been remanded in custody pending sentencing for a mugging and two attempted robberies in Carlow town. Curtin, who has 75 previous convictions, admitted to the crimes in court. The incidents occurred within ten minutes of each other in Hanover Park at 8:30 pm. The first victim was punched and had his belongings taken. A second victim was approached by Curtin, who became aggressive when refused. A third man intervened, and Curtin attempted to take his phone but was unsuccessful. The gardaí were alerted and Curtin was arrested. The court heard that Curtin's addiction to alcohol and drugs, as well as his mental health issues, were central to his offending. His defense argued for structured recovery programs. The judge adjourned the case for sentencing. The prosecution emphasized the need for Curtin to receive help, while the defense highlighted his willingness to remain drug-free. Joe Curtin pleaded guilty.
2025-12-19 · Carlow
A Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) adjudicator, Séamus Clinton, has initiated a case against the State, alleging mistreatment and gender-related discrimination. He filed complaints under the Employment Equality Act 1998, the Protection of Employees (Provision of Information and Consultation) Act 2006, and the Protected Disclosures Act 2014 against the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment. A preliminary hearing at Lansdowne House in Dublin heard that the dispute relates to a competition issue. Clinton, a former trade union official appointed to the WRC in 2022, presides over employment rights disputes and discrimination claims. Counsel for the State, Stephen Hanaphy BL, requested an adjournment to consider submissions filed on Wednesday, citing the case's unique nature and the enhanced version of the claim. Michael Kinsley BL, for the complainant, agreed to the adjournment, noting that the claim had been dramatically enhanced. The original complaint included age discrimination and a claim against the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (DPER), but these have been dropped, focusing now on gender discrimination. The case also involves alleged victimisation and whistleblower penalisation.
2025-11-28 · Carlow
Two men from Carlow have been sentenced for their roles in an attack on a man after a night of drinking and drug use. Philip Moore received four years and three months in prison, with the final 18 months suspended. Shane Coady received a suspended sentence of two years and three months. The victim, Alan Rossiter, was struck, punched, and placed in the boot of a car before being told he was going to be taken up the mountains. Moore was convicted of assault and false imprisonment, while Coady pleaded guilty to assault. The court heard that Moore had previously claimed the victim attacked him, but no evidence supported this. The victim described the attack as traumatic, affecting his quality of life and leaving him in fear. Judge Eugene O'Kelly noted the aggravating factors, including the false imprisonment and the use of violence. Moore's sentence was reduced due to his remorse and efforts to address his addiction. Coady's sentence was suspended due to his guilty plea and probation report indicating he acted under Moore's influence. Philip Moore pleaded not guilty. Shane Coady pleaded not guilty.
2025-11-28 · Carlow
William Donoghue has been jailed for 33 months for breaking a woman's jaw during a New Year's Eve altercation in Carlow. Donoghue was convicted of assault causing harm after punching the woman in the face. The victim, who required surgery and had her jaw wired shut for a month, described the lasting impact on her life, including difficulty eating and feeling unsafe. Donoghue claimed the woman struck him first, but the court rejected his version of events. Judge Eugene O'Kelly noted the aggravating factors, including the victim's vulnerability and Donoghue's physical strength. The judge imposed a three-and-a-half-year sentence, suspending the final nine months due to Donoghue's good family support and the Probation Service's willingness to work with him. The victim expressed that she never received an apology from Donoghue and hopes to never experience such an incident again. William Donoghue pleaded not guilty.
2025-11-27 · Carlow
A 26-year-old man from Pakistan has been jailed for 18 months for sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl and falsely imprisoning her at a house party in Carlow. The man had pleaded not guilty but was convicted by a jury after a trial. The victim testified that the accused man attempted to lift her dress, kissed her, and tried to pull her back into the house after she tried to escape. The jury viewed video footage from the teenager's phone, which showed the men at the party and the victim's discomfort. The accused denied the allegations but was identified through CCTV footage. The victim's impact statement described the trauma she experienced, including nightmares and anxiety. The judge noted the aggravating factors, including the accused's role as the house owner and the victim's age. He imposed a three-year and six-month sentence, suspending the final two years with conditions that the man leave the jurisdiction for ten years after release. The defense acknowledged the verdict but expressed concerns about the impact on the accused's family.
2025-08-01 · Carlow
Michael Murphy, 50, of Woodlawn Park, Borris, pleaded guilty at Carlow Circuit Criminal Court to careless driving causing serious harm to Denis Murphy, a hurler and maths teacher, after a hit‑and‑run on 5 December 2022. Murphy was just over twice the legal alcohol limit. Denis Murphy suffered a dislocated elbow, three missing teeth and a traumatic brain injury, requiring nine days in intensive care and a long recovery. The victim impact statement, read into the record, highlighted Denis's gratitude for surviving and his ongoing struggles with memory and brain fatigue. Murphy left the scene but remained within a few miles, was later arrested for driving while intoxicated, and has since undertaken a driver safety course. The court has remanded him on bail until a sentencing hearing in November, where a sentence will be fixed.
2025-05-30 · Carlow
Philip Moore, 41, was convicted of assault causing harm and false imprisonment of Alan Rossiter, 44, at his family home in Rathellen on 14‑15 August 2022. He pleaded not guilty to producing a knife and threatening serious harm, but was acquitted on those charges. His co‑accused, Shane Coady, 25, pleaded guilty to assault causing harm. The court heard that Moore claimed Rossiter had attacked him the night before, but an investigation found no evidence and no prosecution was brought against Rossiter. Rossiter described being held in a boot, threatened with a kettle and forced to leave the house, and he reported fear for his life and dental injury. The judge adjourned Coady's case for six months and remanded him on continuing bail; Moore's case was adjourned to July with him remanded in custody. The court noted Moore's bipolar medication and his lack of prior assault convictions.
2025-05-29 · Carlow
Edyta Scibior, 36, owner of 'Home of Shellac' in Carlow, pleaded guilty to possession of drugs for sale or supply on 22 February 2023 at Carlow Circuit Criminal Court. She was found with cannabis and amphetamines in her home's utility room and a nail salon store room, though she claimed ignorance and that she never entered the utility room. Her husband, Kamil Scibior, 42, also pleaded guilty to having drugs for sale or supply, with a higher offence carrying a mandatory 10‑year term. Judge Eugene O'Kelly jailed Kamil for six years and imposed a four‑and‑a‑half‑year suspended sentence on Edyta. The suspended term is conditional on her engaging with the Probation Service for 18 months. The court noted her role as an employer and mother of two 14‑year‑olds, and considered her guilty plea as acceptance of responsibility. The total drugs seized were valued at €229,204.
2025-05-29 · Carlow
Mark O'Neill, 62, of Carlow Town, was sentenced at Carlow Circuit Criminal Court after pleading guilty to intentionally or recklessly administering a substance capable of interfering substantially with another person's bodily functions in August 2024. The defendant admitted to placing two Valium tablets in a sandwich prepared for his then-partner, claiming he intended to help her relax due to stress. Judge Eugene O'Kelly described the act as "shockingly reckless," noting that O'Neill, who had no previous convictions, knew the medication could interfere with bodily functions. A probation report indicated O'Neill was at a low risk of re-offending. The judge set a headline sentence of two years and six months but reduced it to 18 months, which was suspended in full on strict conditions for two years. The court accepted the plea on the basis of recklessness rather than intent to harm. O'Neill acknowledged his actions were extremely reckless and has since lost contact with his ex-partner and son. The matter was concluded with this suspended sentence.
2025-05-28 · Carlow
Philip Moore, 41, of Carlow, was convicted at Carlow Circuit Criminal Court of false imprisonment and assault of Alan Rossiter, who was bundled into the boot of Moore's mother's car between 14 and 15 August 2022. Moore denied the charges and was acquitted of two further charges of threats to kill and production of a knife. He claimed Rossiter had attacked him the previous night and that his friend Shane Coady was responsible, but the jury found no evidence to support this. Coady, 25, pleaded guilty to assaulting Rossiter and is due to be sentenced later this week. After the conviction, Judge Eugene O'Kelly granted Moore bail on strict conditions, including daily sign‑ins at Carlow Garda Station and a curfew, but issued a warrant for his arrest after Moore failed to attend the scheduled sentence hearing. The case was adjourned to Wednesday, with the sentence hearing for Coady set for Thursday.
2025-05-28 · Carlow
Philip Moore, 41, was found guilty of assault causing harm and false imprisonment of Alan Rossiter after a night of heavy drinking and drug use. The jury did not convict him of producing a knife or threatening to kill. Moore claimed Rossiter had attacked him the night before, but investigators found no evidence and no prosecution was brought against Rossiter. He also blamed friend Shane Coady, who pleaded guilty to assaulting Rossiter. The trial heard that Rossiter was held against his will in a kitchen and then bundled into the boot of Moore's mother's car, where forensic evidence supported Rossiter's claim of being in the boot. Moore was remanded on bail pending sentencing later this month. The jury deliberated for almost three hours before reaching its verdict. Philip Moore pleaded not guilty.
2024-02-06 · Carlow
Fergal McGrath, a carpet salesman, was dismissed by Lynfrae Trading Company Ltd (trading as Kashan Carpets) after his former boss accused him of misusing a company credit card for cigarettes, lotto tickets and pub expenses. The Workplace Relations Commission found the disciplinary process fundamentally flawed: no written notice of allegations, no notes taken, no appeal provision, and the same person who made the charges acted as the disciplinary officer. McGrath claimed the pub expenses were for missed lunches during delivery runs and that the cigarette and lotto purchase was a one‑off mistake he would have reimbursed. He also argued that the company's van was damaged while he was driving and that he had no knowledge of the damage until later. The tribunal awarded him €18,000 for unfair dismissal, covering almost six months of losses. The decision highlighted the employer's procedural failures and the lack of a proper disciplinary procedure.
2024-01-12 · Carlow
Edward Wall, 32, of Newtown Park, Tallaght, was sentenced to five‑and‑a‑half years in November 2022 for the burglary of an unoccupied residence belonging to an Asian restaurant owner in Carlow Town. The burglary, committed with three others in December 2019, was part of a gang that targeted Asian businesspeople. Wall was on bail for burglary, trespass and handling stolen goods at the time of the offence and had 33 prior convictions. Judge Eugene O'Kelly imposed a six‑year term, suspending the final six months, and also sentenced two older co‑defendants to six years with 18‑month suspensions and a younger co‑defendant to a fully suspended three‑and‑a‑half year term. Wall's appeal to reduce his sentence was dismissed by the Court of Appeal, with the judge affirming that the sentencing reflected appropriate parity and mitigation considerations.". Edward Wall pleaded guilty.
2022-07-27 · Carlow
A development company, Salzagold Limited, secured a High Court injunction against up to 40 caravans occupying a greenfield site in Graigcullen, Co. Laois, which the company claims is a large‑scale illegal occupation. Mr Justice Brian O'Moore granted the injunction, ordering the occupants to vacate the property pending a hearing. The judge expressed concern over alleged anti‑social behaviour, including the operation of a tree‑felling business without proper health and safety measures, the burning of refuse, and joy‑riding vehicles. He noted that the site had previously been occupied in March, with a small group leaving shortly after. The injunction remains in force until the hearing, and the court warned that non‑compliance would result in serious consequences. At the time of the hearing, no occupants appeared in court, and the company had served short notice of the proceedings on the alleged occupants.
2022-07-22 · Carlow
Salzagold Limited has applied to the High Court for an injunction to remove more than 40 caravans that have occupied its land at Graigcullen, Co. Laois, which is earmarked for a major housing development. The company alleges that the occupants, numbering over 150 people, have refused to leave and that the site has become a base for anti‑social behaviour. It claims the occupants have started large fires, dumped refuse, operated a tree‑cutting business without safety procedures, and engaged in joy‑riding and other dangerous vehicular activities. A local fire brigade recently had to extinguish a large fire on the site. The company also seeks an order against a spokesperson, Mr Hugh Doyle, and has obtained permission from Mr Justice Brian O'Moore to serve short notice of the injunction proceedings. The case is scheduled to return to court next week.
2019-10-08 · Carlow
Anthony Cassidy, 34, was convicted of raping and seriously assaulting a woman in her 50s in Carlow on 25 June 2017. CCTV captured his movements to and from the site where the victim was found unconscious 12 hours later, but did not record the assault itself, which is said to have lasted about 30 minutes. Cassidy pleaded guilty to rape and assault causing serious harm, and had 34 prior convictions, including soliciting sex in the UK and two assaults in Ireland. Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy sentenced him to 18 years' imprisonment, noting that a life sentence would have been imposed had Cassidy not pleaded guilty and shown "genuine remorse". The Court of Appeal upheld the sentence, with Mr Justice Michael Peart affirming that the offence was of the most serious type and that the judge's decision to reduce a potential life sentence to 18 years was correct. The appeal was dismissed.
2018-11-21 · Dublin
David Murphy, 39, of Carlow, was jailed for four years after he held up a Centra shop in Dublin to pay his 21‑year‑old son's drug debt. He had been released from a seven‑year sentence in 2012, with five years suspended on a good‑behaviour condition. Judge Melanie Greally reactivated three of those suspended years and imposed a new five‑year sentence, suspending the final four years, for the attempted robbery on 28 December 2017. Murphy pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. The robbery involved him threatening a shop employee, Marco Moniz, with a pair of scissors. Moniz tackled Murphy, and police arrived shortly after. Murphy admitted the offence was stupid, expressed remorse, and said he had no intention to injure anyone. The sentence is consecutive to the reactivated years. The case was prosecuted by Gerardine Small BL and defended by Keith Spencer BL. The article reports no further legal developments.
2018-07-11 · Dublin
David Murphy, 39, was sentenced in October for an attempted robbery of a Centra shop on Camden Street, Dublin, on 28 December 2017. He had been released from a seven‑year prison term in August 2017 and had 64 prior convictions. Murphy planned the robbery to help his 21‑year‑old son, who had a drug debt. He entered the shop at about 6 pm, wearing a scarf and armed with a scissor, and threatened the shop assistant, Marco Moniz, saying he would stab him if he did not give money. Moniz tackled Murphy to the ground; his colleague, Hyeon Seok Kim, called the Gardaí. Officers arrived while Murphy was on the floor. Murphy pleaded guilty at the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. Judge Melanie Greally remanded him in custody until 25 October for sentencing and ordered a probation report, noting that no post‑release supervision had been in place after his August 2017 release.
2016-11-01 · Carlow
In a 2016 trial, 52‑year‑old Liam Power, who had no fixed abode, was charged with murdering 41‑year‑old Gints Intembergs at Graigowen, Tullow, between 15 and 16 September 2014. Power pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter, a plea rejected by the State, and also pleaded not guilty to assaulting Aigar Sildars. Dzintars Sackalausks, 33, was charged with the same murder and assault, pleading not guilty to both. Garda evidence described the scene: the deceased lay on the kitchen floor, partially covered, with a partially burned blue and white top and no ignition source. DNA and other items were collected from the house and a Suzuki car. Witnesses, including Dolores Kenny, recounted Power's admission of a fight, an arm‑wrestling match, a slap, and his claim of having killed a man. The case proceeded before Justice Isobel Kennedy and a jury.
2016-04-27 · Carlow
A solicitor who admitted to dishonestly obtaining a mortgage with AIB for €297,000 between May 5, 2009, and July 20, 2009, has been given a suspended sentence. Declan McEvoy (50), who was principal at William Early Solicitors in Carlow town, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. His defence counsel highlighted that McEvoy was under extreme financial pressure and that he made a serious error in judgment to resolve issues that were not entirely his creation. Judge Melanie Greally noted that McEvoy's actions brought disgrace upon himself and his profession, which was an aggravating factor. However, she acknowledged his exceptional mitigation and the likelihood that he would not re-offend, leading her to impose an 18-month suspended sentence. The matter was adjourned following the sentence. Another Carlow defendant was also present, but no charges were listed against them, and their plea and sentence details were not provided.
2016-04-18 · Carlow
A Carlow solicitor, Declan McEvoy (50), who pleaded guilty to dishonestly obtaining a mortgage with AIB for €297,000 between May 5, 2009, and July 20, 2009, will be sentenced next week. McEvoy, who was principal at William Early Solicitors in Carlow town, admitted to the charge at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. His defence counsel, Felix McEnroy SC, stated that McEvoy made a serious error in judgment to address financial issues arising from his father's firm, JM McEvoy in Gorey, which was under investigation by the Law Society. McEvoy used the mortgage proceeds to clear debts in his father's firm. The case was adjourned by Judge Melanie Greally until April 27, next, for sentencing. Another Carlow defendant also pleaded guilty, but no charges were specified. The matter was adjourned and not finalised. McEvoy, who has no previous convictions, has been living in Australia since 2012 and returned to Ireland last January, surrendering his passport. He has been remanded on continuing bail.
2015-11-23 · Dublin
Thomas Coffey, 31, of Carlow, was sentenced to 18 months' imprisonment after pleading guilty to stealing €4,800 from 81‑year‑old Sinclair Downey in September 2013. Coffey, who had 19 prior convictions including four for theft, was part of a fraud ring that overcharged Downey for roof work. Garda Colleen Doherty described how Coffey and accomplice Patrick O'Brien called Downey's home, claiming he owed further payments for unauthorised work, and then accompanied him to a bank to withdraw the cash. CCTV footage captured the men waiting with Downey and receiving the money. Coffey was arrested in Kerry in November 2013 and later admitted his role after a mobile‑phone call was found. The judge described the offence as an "odious crime" and noted Coffey's psychiatric treatment at Kerry General Hospital. O'Brien, 32, was jailed for four years for a similar theft of €14,200 from Downey.
2015-10-13 · Carlow
Eamonn McCall, a 42‑year‑old former US Marine from Carlow, was convicted at the Central Criminal Court of indecent assault and attempted rape of his niece between 1990 and 1993. The original 12‑year sentence, with two years suspended, was reduced on appeal to 10 years, with the suspension unchanged. His concurrent 10‑year sentence for indecent assault was also reduced to eight years. The Court of Appeal, citing a prison governor's report and McCall's willingness to participate in a sex offenders programme, maintained post‑release supervision arrangements. The case involved four offences: oral rape, digital penetration, forced masturbation and attempted vaginal rape, with the victim aged between seven and eleven at the time of the acts. The appeal decision was delivered by Mr Justice George Birmingham, joined by Mr Justice Garrett Sheehan and Mr Justice John Edwards. The reduction was made without altering the suspended portion or the effective custodial term. Eamonn McCall pleaded guilty.
2014-07-17 · Carlow
In July 2012, three Lithuanian men – Edgaras Jurosiuniuys (24), Liutauras Meskauskas (27) and Andrius Bareikis (33) – carried out an armed robbery at Bramleys jewellers in Carlow. They entered with lump hammers, pepper spray and imitation hand guns, stole jewellery worth about €20,000 and fled in a Fiat Punto. The owner, Pat Bramley, was sprayed with pepper gas during the raid. The men were arrested shortly after and the stolen items were recovered near the motorway to Dublin. Judge Teehan sentenced Jurosiuniuys to five years for robbery and two years for assault, to run consecutively, and Meskauskas and Bareikis to seven years each. On appeal, the Criminal Court of Appeal reduced Jurosiuniuys's robbery term by one year and made it run concurrently with the assault term, giving him one year less in jail. Meskauskas and Bareikis each had one year cut from their seven‑year sentences. No portion of any sentence was suspended.