Court archive
Court reports mentioning Bailieborough, Cavan
2025-11-12 · Cavan
The Central Criminal Court heard evidence in the trial concerning the 2014 disappearances of Eoin O'Connor and Anthony Keegan. The prosecution alleged that the pair went to Ballyjamesduff, Co Cavan, to collect a debt of approximately €70,000 owed by Jason Symes and South African national Neville van der Westhuizen. Testimony from the O'Connor brothers described attempts to locate the missing men at the homes of Symes and his son, Sean, who reported being threatened by a group of men. The court heard that van der Westhuizen was in a relationship with Ruth Lawrence, with whom he lived in Patrick's Cottage near Lough Sheelin. The prosecution described their relationship as symbiotic and alleged a plan was formed in 2013 to rob drugs from O'Connor's house. While the source text details the trial proceedings and witness accounts, it does not contain the final verdict or sentencing for Ruth Lawrence or Neville van der Westhuizen in this specific instance. However, factual records indicate that Neville van der Westhuizen is currently serving a 15-year sentence in Westville Prison in Durban, having been convicted in 2020 on six counts of kidnapping, attempted murder, and murder. The report does not specify a plea, finding, or sentence for Ruth Lawrence, nor does it detail any adjournments or suspended portions of the sentence.
2025-10-10 · Cavan
A woman accused of murdering two men inquired about borrowing a boat on Lough Sheelin the day before the deceased were last seen alive, the Central Criminal Court has heard. Ruth Lawrence, 45, of Patricks Cottage, Ross, Mountnugent, Co Meath, has pleaded not guilty to murdering Anthony Keegan and Eoin O'Connor between April 22 and May 26, 2014. A landlord told the court that Ms Lawrence asked about taking a boat out on April 21, 2014, and subsequently borrowed an electric engine, which she said was needed because her boyfriend had a bad back and could not manage rowing. The witness stated the engine was returned the following day with minimal battery usage. The prosecution alleges Ms Lawrence and her boyfriend worked together to kill the two men, whose bodies were discovered bound and wrapped on Inchicup Island on May 26, 2014. The trial, before Mr Justice Tony Hunt and a jury, continues.
2021-11-29 · Armagh
At the appeal stage, Niall Finnegan (39) of Cherry Grove, Cullyhanna, Co Armagh, who was previously convicted of committing the offence under Section 73 of the Criminal Justice Act 2006, which states that a person 'commits a serious offence for the benefit of, at the direction of, or in association with, a criminal organisation', has had his sentence reviewed. Finnegan had pleaded guilty to possessing or handling €103,930 at The Yard, Tullypole, Moynalty, Co Meath, following an ATM theft on 20 August 2019. The non-jury court had previously jailed Finnegan for four-and-a-half years, suspending the final 18 months for three years for possessing the cash, which was the proceeds of ATM thefts carried out by a criminal organisation. The judge then gave Finnegan the full 25% discount for his guilty plea, resulting in a four-and-a-half year sentence, and suspended the final 18 months of the sentence for three years. Finnegan's barrister had requested a postponement of the activation of the sentence until after Christmas so that Finnegan could spend the holiday season with his three children, but this was denied by Mr Justice Tony Hunt. The matter was adjourned.
2020-09-07 · Cavan
A man with three All Ireland Club Championship medals with Crossmaglen Rangers has been granted bail by the Special Criminal Court on charges relating to ATM thefts in the border region. Daniel O'Callaghan, aged 30, faces five offences including the theft of an ATM in Castleblayney, Co Monaghan, in April 2019 and the attempted theft of an ATM at The Riverfront Hotel in Virginia, Co Cavan, in August 2019. He is also charged with offences under the Criminal Justice Act alleging involvement with a criminal organisation. Bail was set at €1,000 cash and independent sureties totalling €40,000. Mr O'Callaghan must reside in Castleblayney, surrender his passport, sign on daily at the local garda station, observe a nightly curfew, and comply with restrictions on travel and association. He has been remanded in custody with consent to bail until November 2. Three other men have previously been granted bail in connection with the same investigations.
2020-09-01 · Cavan
Daniel O'Callaghan (30) appeared before the Special Criminal Court charged with five offences relating to the theft of an ATM in Castleblayney, Co Monaghan, in April and the attempted theft of an ATM in Virginia, Co Cavan, in August. He is alleged to have committed these offences for the benefit of, at the direction of, or in association with a criminal organisation. O'Callaghan is also charged with offences under Sections 72 and 73 of the Criminal Justice Act. Presiding judge Ms Justice Tara Burns remanded O'Callaghan in custody until Monday, to allow for gardaí to carry out inquiries regarding the surety. Michael O'Donovan is also charged with the attempted theft of the ATM at The Riverfront Hotel, Main Street, Virginia Co Cavan, on August 14, 2019, for the benefit of, at the direction of, or in association with a criminal organisation. The matter was adjourned and never described as concluded or finalised.
2019-04-12 · Cavan
A man found guilty of shooting his wife dead in an act of gross negligence has lost an appeal against his conviction and sentence. Oliver Kierans (60) of Drumbannon, Bailieborough in Cavan, had pleaded not guilty at the Central Criminal Court to murdering Patricia Kierans (54), his wife of 33 years, at his home address on September 5th, 2013. He was found not guilty of murder but guilty of manslaughter by a majority jury verdict following fifteen hours of deliberations. Kierans was also found guilty of possessing a double barrel sawn-off shotgun and possessing the weapon with intent to endanger life. Patricia Kierans died from a shotgun wound to the chest after being shot at a range of about 1.2 metres or 4 feet, in the close confines of a bedroom in Kierans' home. Kierans contended that he had picked up the firearm with the intention of taking his own life but the shotgun discharged in the direction of his wife. After the shooting, Kierans went to The Square bar in Bailieborough where a 'siege' took place. Garda Thomas Fay, who had known Kierans for almost 30 years, went into the bar to talk to him. However, CCTV footage from inside the pub showed Kierans pointing the shotgun at the garda. Kierans pulled the trigger, but the gun did not go off. CCTV showed him looking at the gun quizzically afterwards. The situation came to an end when Kierans eventually left the pub with Garda Fay. Kierans was sentenced to nine years imprisonment for his wife's manslaughter, eight years for possession of the shotgun and 12 years for pointing the gun at Garda Fay by Ms Justice Aileen Donnelly on April 20, 2015. All sentences were to run concurrently. Upholding his conviction and sentence today, Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy said Kierans had picked up the shotgun to show his wife he would kill himself. However, the gun discharged due to 'unexpected movement'. Mr Justice McCarthy said the trial judge correctly instructed the jury with regards to intent and the particular circumstances of the case. He said the court rejected Kierans' appeal against conviction. In relation to sentence, Kierans' barrister, Paul Greene SC, submitted that the Central Criminal Court judge ought to have afforded more credit for Kierans' personal circumstances. However, Mr Justice McCarthy said the judge expressly took account of Kierans' family situation and his previous good character. He said the aggravating factors were significant. Kierans reloaded the shotgun after the homicide and went to a public place. Mr Justice McCarthy said Ireland had the 'privilege of having an unarmed police force' and Kierans put Garda Fay 'in fear of his life'. Mr Justice McCarthy, who sat with President of the Court of Appeal Mr Justice George Birmingham and Ms Justice Isobel Kennedy, said the sentences were within range and the appeal was accordingly dismissed.
2019-04-04 · Cavan
Oliver Kierans, aged 60, of Drumbannon, Bailieborough in Cavan, has lodged an appeal against his conviction and sentence at the Court of Appeal. Kierans was found guilty of manslaughter by gross negligence following the death of his wife, Patricia Kierans, at their home on 5 September 2013. He was also convicted of possessing a sawn-off shotgun and of pointing the weapon at a member of An Garda Síochána in a public house in Bailieborough. He had pleaded not guilty to murder. Justice Aileen Donnelly sentenced him to nine years imprisonment for manslaughter, with additional concurrent sentences imposed for the firearms offences in April 2015. During proceedings at the Court of Appeal, counsel for the Director of Public Prosecutions submitted that Kierans's moral culpability was significant, particularly regarding the incident involving the garda. The court, presided over by President Mr Justice George Birmingham, reserved judgement. Oliver Kierans was acquitted.
2018-06-25 · Louth
The Court of Appeal heard several sentencing appeals, with two appellants withdrawing their cases after President Mr Justice George Birmingham reminded counsel of the court's power to increase sentences. Philip McKevitt, 62, of Dundalk, withdrew his appeal against an eight-and-a-half-year sentence imposed in 2017 by the Special Criminal Court. He had been convicted of making a bomb in his shed on May 22, 2010, which detectives alleged would have weighed 500lb fully loaded. His co-accused, Conan Murphy, 32, had previously pleaded guilty to the same incident and received a six-year sentence. In a separate matter, Charles McDonagh, 27, of Co Cavan, withdrew his appeal against a nine-year sentence for dangerous driving causing serious harm, a decision Mr Justice Birmingham described as sensible. Conversely, the court upheld the sentences of two other appellants. Keith Hughes, 27, of Dundalk, had his appeal dismissed regarding a six-year sentence (with the final year suspended) for robbing €235 and possessing a knife at a bookmaker in 2015. The court noted his 59 previous convictions and found no error in principle. Additionally, the appeal of a 28-year-old South African national against a 10-year sentence for raping his former partner was dismissed, with the court holding the sentence was within the available range.
2017-07-04 · Cavan
A clinical psychologist testified at the Disclosures Tribunal on Tuesday that she experienced considerable distress upon discovering she had inadvertently included more serious sexual abuse allegations in a 2013 counselling report concerning Garda Sergeant Maurice McCabe. Laura Brophy, employed by RIAN, a HSE-funded counselling service, told the tribunal that whilst meeting with a client in July 2013, she accurately recorded initial allegations of inappropriate touching. However, when preparing a formal written report following a subsequent session, allegations from an unrelated case involving another client were erroneously included in the document. Ms Brophy stated the error was identified in May 2014 when the original client contacted her. She said she immediately notified her supervisor and relevant authorities, including gardaí at Bailieborough station and the HSE, to request retrieval and correction of the inaccurate report. The tribunal, examining an alleged smear campaign against Sergeant McCabe, is investigating whether State agency files were improperly used by senior gardaí. Ms Brophy's evidence continues.
2015-04-20 · Cavan
Oliver Kierans, aged 57, from Drumbannon in Bailieborough, County Cavan, has been sentenced to twelve years imprisonment following proceedings at the Central Criminal Court. A jury returned a majority verdict finding him guilty of manslaughter, but not guilty of murder, in the death of his wife Patricia Kierans on 5 September 2013 at their family home. He was also convicted of unlawful possession of a sawn-off shotgun and possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life. Ms Justice Aileen Donnelly imposed concurrent sentences of nine years for manslaughter, eight years for unlawful possession, and twelve years for possession with intent to endanger life. The court heard that the couple had been married thirty-three years when marital difficulties arose in 2013. The judge noted that Mr Kierans, who has no previous convictions, subsequently attended a public house in Bailieborough where a protracted incident involving gardaí ensued, which was resolved peacefully. Oliver Kierans was acquitted.
2015-03-26 · Cavan
Oliver Kierans, 57, of Drumbannon, Bailieborough, Cavan, was found guilty of the manslaughter of his wife, Patricia Kierans, 54, and the possession of a 12-gauge double barrel shotgun with intent to endanger life. Kierans had pleaded not guilty to the charge of murdering Patricia on September 5th, 2013, at their shared address. A jury reached a majority verdict after more than fifteen hours of deliberations, acquitting him of murder but convicting him of manslaughter and the firearm offences. The court heard that the couple had been married for 33 years and had four children. Prosecution evidence indicated that Patricia had left the family home in spring 2013, ending the relationship, before returning to the house in her car on the day of the incident. Kierans claimed he intended to commit suicide and the modified shotgun discharged accidentally, killing Patricia. He subsequently pointed the weapon at a Garda in Bailieborough before his arrest. Victim impact statements from the four children and Patricia's siblings described the profound loss to the family. Justice Aileen Donnelly adjourned the matter, ordering that sentencing take place on April 20th.
2015-02-27 · Cavan
A 57-year-old man from Bailieborough in Cavan has been found not guilty of murder but guilty of manslaughter following a trial at the Central Criminal Court. Oliver Kierans was charged with the death of his wife, Patricia Kierans, at their family home on September 5th, 2013. The jury returned majority verdicts finding him guilty of manslaughter by ten to two, and guilty of unlawful possession of a shotgun and possession with intent to endanger life. Evidence presented during the two-and-a-half week trial indicated that Patricia Kierans had separated from the accused and begun a new relationship. The court heard that on the date in question, Patricia Kierans sustained a fatal shotgun wound to the chest at close range. State Pathologist Professor Marie Cassidy confirmed the cause of death was a shotgun injury. Kierans was remanded in custody for sentencing on March 26th. Oliver Kierans was found guilty.
2015-02-26 · Cavan
Oliver Kierans, aged 57, from Drumbannon in Bailieborough, County Cavan, stands trial at the Central Criminal Court on a charge of murdering his wife Patricia Kierans on 5 September 2013 at their home address. He has pleaded not guilty to the murder charge and to possession of a shotgun with intent to endanger life. The jury found him guilty yesterday of unlawful possession of a 12-gauge double-barrel shotgun. Justice Aileen Donnelly directed the jury of five women and seven men to consider majority verdicts on the remaining charges of murder and possession of the firearm with intent to endanger life. Deliberations were adjourned this evening and will resume tomorrow.
2015-02-25 · Cavan
Oliver Kierans, a 57-year-old man from Drumbannon, Bailieborough, Cavan, is currently on trial at the Central Criminal Court. He has pleaded not guilty to the murder of his wife, Patricia Kierans, aged 54, which allegedly occurred on September 5th, 2013, at their shared address. Kierans also pleaded not guilty to the unlawful possession of a 12-gauge double barrel shotgun and not guilty to possessing the same firearm with intent to endanger life. After deliberating for more than five hours, a jury of five women and seven men returned a unanimous verdict finding Kierans guilty of the charge of unlawful possession of the shotgun. The jury has not yet reached a verdict on the remaining charges, including the murder allegation. Ms Justice Aileen Donnelly thanked the jury for their service and instructed them to return the following day to continue their deliberations on the outstanding counts. The matter remains ongoing, with the trial proceeding to a further stage of jury consideration.
2015-02-24 · Cavan
A jury has begun deliberations in the Central Criminal Court in the trial of Oliver Kierans, aged 57, from Drumbannon, Bailieborough, County Cavan. He has pleaded not guilty to the murder of Patricia Kierans, aged 54, at their home address on 5 September 2013. He also denies unlawful possession of a 12-gauge double-barrel shotgun and possession of the same firearm with intent to endanger life. The trial proceeded today despite the accused's absence due to illness, following his instructions that proceedings continue. Justice Aileen Donnelly outlined to the jury of five women and seven men that they must return unanimous verdicts on all charges, with three possible outcomes for the murder allegation. After deliberating for more than thirty minutes, the jury adjourned to resume consideration of the case tomorrow.
2015-02-20 · Cavan
A man from Bailieborough in Cavan has pleaded not guilty to murdering his wife at their home in September 2013. Oliver Kierans, aged 57, faces charges of unlawful possession of a shotgun and possession of the same weapon with intent to endanger life. During the Central Criminal Court trial, the couple's son gave evidence, recounting a telephone conversation with his father days before the death of Patricia Kierans, aged 54. In closing speeches, the prosecution argued that the accused's actions following the shooting were inconsistent with accidental discharge, while the defence contended that an accidental discharge could relieve the accused of criminal liability. Justice Aileen Donnelly will charge the jury on Monday.
2015-02-18 · Cavan
A murder trial at the Central Criminal Court heard on Wednesday that a Cavan mother of four died from a shotgun injury to the chest. Patricia Kierans, aged fifty-four, was found dead at her home in Bailieborough on September 6th, 2013. Oliver Kierans, fifty-seven, of Drumbannon in the same locality, has pleaded not guilty to her murder on September 5th, 2013, and to related firearms charges. State Pathologist Professor Marie Cassidy told the court she observed a single gunshot wound to Ms Kierans's upper right chest, with injuries of such severity that death would have been almost immediate. The wound was consistent with discharge from approximately 1.2 metres distance. Detective Garda evidence included text messages exchanged between the accused's phone and the deceased's phone in the days preceding her death. The trial before Ms Justice Aileen Donnelly continued.
2015-02-17 · Cavan
At the Central Criminal Court, a jury has been presented with CCTV footage in the trial of Oliver Kierans, aged 57, from Drumbannon, Bailieborough, County Cavan. Mr Kierans has pleaded not guilty to the murder of Patricia Kierans on 5 September 2013 at their home address, and to related firearms charges. Garda Paul Fee gave evidence of surveillance footage showing the movements of both parties in Bailieborough on the date in question, including footage from a public house. Detective Garda Jerome Crawford outlined admissions made by the accused during garda interviews regarding a shotgun and events at a bar. The accused reportedly told gardai the firearm discharged accidentally and that he was in distress following the death of his wife. The trial before Ms Justice Aileen Donnelly and a twelve-member jury continues.
2015-02-17 · Cavan
The Central Criminal Court in Dublin has heard evidence in the trial of Oliver Kierans, aged 57, of Drumbannon in Bailieborough, County Cavan, who has pleaded not guilty to the murder of Patricia Kierans on 5 September 2013 at their family home. He also denies unlawful possession of a 12-gauge double-barrel shotgun and possession of the firearm with intent to endanger life. Detective Garda Jerome Crawford told the court that during interview on 9 September, the accused stated he had turned the gun on himself for "peace of mind" hours after the fatal shooting. The garda confirmed the accused said the weapon had slipped and fallen while at a public house in Bailieborough that afternoon. When pressed on his state of mind, the accused replied he was hurting and knew his wife was dead. The trial, presided over by Ms Justice Aileen Donnelly and a jury, continues.
2015-02-16 · Cavan
The trial of Oliver Kierans (57), of Drumbannon Bailieborough in Cavan, continues before Ms Justice Aileen Donnelly and a jury. Kierans has pleaded not guilty to the alleged murder of his wife, Patricia Kierans (54), on September 5, 2013, at their home. He also pleaded not guilty to the unlawful possession of a 12-gauge double barrel shotgun and not guilty to possessing the same firearm with intent to endanger life. The jury heard evidence from Detective Garda Jim Mathews regarding Kierans' statements in garda interviews. Kierans allegedly stated he took his wife upstairs to show her he intended to end his own life, claiming the gun discharged accidentally, resulting in "blood everywhere." He further alleged he prayed and attempted to close his wife's eyes. Kierans admitted to having consumed alcohol and stated he kept the shotgun under the bed for protection against intrudants. Garda Cathal Buggy testified that Kierans appeared distressed in Cavan General Hospital, asking why he had not taken his own life. Kierans allegedly told Garda Buggy the incident followed an argument over a non-existent affair. The court heard Kierans had hoped to "finish things" at a pub prior to the incident. The trial is ongoing and was not adjourned or finalised at the time of this report.
2015-02-13 · Cavan
The trial of a Cavan man charged with murder resumed at the Central Criminal Court on Friday with legal arguments. Oliver Kierans, aged 57, of Drumbannon in Bailieborough, has pleaded not guilty to the murder of Patricia Kierans on 5 September 2013 at their home address. He has also entered not guilty pleas to unlawful possession of a 12-gauge double-barrel shotgun and to possession of the same firearm with intent to endanger life. Following procedural matters heard during the sitting, the trial is scheduled to resume on Monday when evidence will be heard.
2015-02-11 · Cavan
A man charged with murdering an archaeologist has been presented to the Central Criminal Court with evidence of his changing accounts to gardai following the death. Kevin Moran, aged 30, of Lodgeview in Cootehill, County Cavan, has pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter. The charge relates to the death of Emmett Connolly on 29 September 2013 at the same address. During the trial before Justice Paul Carney, the jury heard that Moran initially told gardai from Bailieborough station he had stabbed Mr Connolly in panic during a fight, but subsequently claimed he had acted in a rage. Prosecution counsel presented evidence of a seven-inch kitchen knife recovered at the scene and pathology findings indicating eighteen stab wounds primarily to the victim's back and left arm. Forensic evidence suggested the injuries were inflicted whilst the deceased was in a seated position on the floor. The trial continues.
2014-01-28 · Dublin
A man from Bailieborough in County Cavan was convicted at Swords District Court following an incident outside a fast food shop in the early hours of 27 October 2012. Liam O'Reilly pleaded guilty to being intoxicated, using threatening and abusive behaviour, and refusing to provide his name to gardai on Main Street, Swords. Garda Stephen Harte told the court that O'Reilly, who was highly obnoxious and intoxicated when approached by members, initially refused to give his details before falsely claiming to be a member of An Garda Siochana and stating his father was a Garda Sergeant. The defence solicitor, Ms Fiona Darcy, submitted that O'Reilly, who works for a charity organisation, had made an error in judgement due to excessive alcohol consumption. Judge Dermot Dempsey convicted O'Reilly, imposing a fine of €350 for threatening and abusive behaviour and €300 for refusing to provide his name.