Court archive

Court reports mentioning Kilnaleck, Cavan

2019-05-13 · Cavan

Former school principal who avoided jail for €200k theft is jailed after appeal

A former school principal from Ballybofey, County Donegal, has been sent to prison following a Court of Appeal ruling that his original suspended sentence was unduly lenient. Finbarr Boyle, aged 39, pleaded guilty to five counts of theft and two counts of forgery relating to his time as principal at Kilnaleck National School in County Cavan between 2007 and 2012. He had originally received a wholly suspended two-year sentence in March 2018 on condition he repay €25,000. The Court of Appeal, on application by the Director of Public Prosecutions, found this sentence insufficient given the seriousness of the offending. Boyle misappropriated approximately €204,000 through various means, including unauthorised use of the school's visa card for personal expenses, improper cheque drawings, and fraudulent claims submitted to the Department of Social Protection. The Court of Appeal resentenced him to 15 months imprisonment, with immediate custody ordered.

2018-03-05 · Cavan

"One of life's victims" jailed for three years for staging housemate's suicide

Egita Jaunmaize, a 34-year-old woman of no fixed abode, has been sentenced to three years in prison for staging the suicide of her housemate, Antra Ozolina, in an effort to impede the prosecution of the man who strangled her. The sentence was imposed by Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy during a sentencing hearing at the Central Criminal Court. Jaunmaize had pleaded not guilty to the charge of carrying out the offence, without reasonable excuse, at their home at The Old Post, Main Street, Kilnaleck, Co Cavan on or about June 27 or June 28 2014. The judge noted that the maximum penalty for the offence was 10 years in prison, but imposed a custodial sentence of three years, backdated to 22nd February 2017. He acknowledged that Jaunmaize had a suspended sentence due to be activated in her native Latvia and did not want to come to garda attention. The court heard that the deceased, Antra Ozolina, had sustained blunt force injuries and died from asphyxiation. The judge accepted that Jaunmaize's involvement was due to her abusive relationship with the assailant, who was described as the murderer. However, the jury found her fully responsible for her actions. The judge took into account her lack of a previous criminal record, her work in Ireland, and her vulnerabilities, including post-traumatic stress disorder and a history of childhood trauma. The matter was not adjourned and was finalised at the sentencing stage.

2018-02-26 · Cavan

Woman to be sentenced for staging housemate's suicide

A woman is set to be sentenced tomorrow for staging the suicide of her housemate in an attempt to hinder the prosecution of her boyfriend for strangling her. Egita Jaunmaize, of no fixed abode, was found guilty by a jury earlier this month of impeding the apprehension or prosecution of the killer, knowing or believing him to have murdered Antra Ozolina (49). She had pleaded not guilty to carrying out the offence, without reasonable excuse, at their home at The Old Post, Main Street, Kilnaleck, Co Cavan on or about June 27 or June 28 2014. Jaunmaize admitted placing a blue cord around her fellow Latvian's neck to simulate her suicide. She later explained that this was because her boyfriend had a suspended sentence due to be activated in his native Latvia and did not want to come to garda attention. The matter was adjourned for sentencing, with the judge to pass sentence tomorrow.

2018-02-15 · Cavan

Woman guilty of staging housemate's suicide

Egita Jaunmaize, 34, was found guilty at the Central Criminal Court of impeding the prosecution of her boyfriend, a convicted neo-nazi, by staging the death of her housemate, Antra Ozolina, as a suicide. The jury returned a guilty verdict by an 11-to-1 majority after deliberating for three hours and 47 minutes. Jaunmaize admitted placing a blue cord around Ozolina's neck to simulate suicide but pleaded not guilty to carrying out the offence without reasonable excuse at their home in Kilnaleck, Co Cavan, on or about June 27 or 28, 2014. She alleged she acted under duress after witnessing her boyfriend strangle Ozolina. The boyfriend, who was never charged due to severe brain damage sustained in a car crash while fleeing a separate hijacking, is currently in a care facility. Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy thanked the jury for their service and remanded Jaunmaize in custody for sentencing on February 26th.

2018-02-15 · Cavan

Jury in staged suicide trial told they can return majority verdict

At the Central Criminal Court, a jury has been instructed that they may return a majority verdict in the trial of a woman charged with impeding the prosecution of her boyfriend for murder. The 34-year-old defendant is accused of staging the death of her 49-year-old housemate, Antra Ozolina, at their home in Kilnaleck, County Cavan in June 2014. She admits placing a cord around the victim's neck to simulate suicide but has pleaded not guilty to the charge of obstructing justice without reasonable excuse. The defence has submitted that she acted under duress, claiming she feared for her life and was following her boyfriend's orders after witnessing the alleged killing. Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy instructed the jury of seven men and five women that they must determine whether the defendant had a reasonable excuse for her actions and whether duress applied. The jury may now reach a verdict by a margin of at least ten to two. Deliberations are continuing.

2018-02-14 · Cavan

Jury deliberating in staged suicide trial

A jury at the Central Criminal Court has begun deliberating in the trial of a 34-year-old Latvian woman charged with impeding the prosecution of her boyfriend in connection with a death at Kilnaleck, County Cavan. The accused is charged with obstructing the apprehension or prosecution of a man she knew or believed had murdered her 49-year-old housemate in June 2014. The prosecution alleges she placed a cord around the victim's neck to simulate suicide and hinder the investigation. The defence argued she acted under duress, having witnessed the alleged killing. The judge instructed the jury to consider whether she had a reasonable excuse for her actions and whether duress applied. The defendant has pleaded not guilty. Deliberations commenced Wednesday and are to resume Thursday morning.

2018-02-13 · Cavan

Jury asked to consider defences of duress and reasonable excuse

A jury at the Central Criminal Court has been instructed to consider defences of duress and reasonable excuse in the trial of a 34-year-old woman charged with impeding the apprehension of her boyfriend in connection with a death in Kilnaleck, County Cavan. The accused is charged with placing a cord around the neck of a 49-year-old housemate in June 2014 to simulate suicide, allegedly to conceal that her death was suspicious. The defendant, who pleaded not guilty, told gardaí she acted under duress, fearing for her life after witnessing the alleged killing. The prosecution contended there was no reasonable excuse for her actions, highlighting that she returned to her boyfriend after release and remained with him. The defence argued the jury should assess whether a reasonable person in her circumstances would have feared death. Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy clarified that the prosecution must prove the act occurred without reasonable excuse, with duress applying where threats of immediate death override ordinary human resistance. The trial continues.

2018-02-12 · Cavan

Accused's violent childhood left her with "limited ability" to defy abusive partner, psychiatrist tells trial

A trial at the Central Criminal Court heard evidence that a 34-year-old woman accused of impeding the prosecution of her partner in connection with a death would have had limited capacity to resist his control due to childhood trauma. A consultant forensic psychiatrist testified that the woman, charged with obstructing the apprehension or prosecution of a man in connection with the death of a housemate at The Old Post, Main Street, Kilnaleck, Co Cavan in June 2014, had been a victim of violent crime as a child. The psychiatrist said this early traumatic experience left her vulnerable to abusive relationships and with impaired ability to recognise danger in others. The woman has pleaded not guilty to the charge but accepts that her housemate's death was not suicide and does not dispute that her former partner caused it. She told gardaí she acted under his orders while in fear for her life. The defence has closed its case, and the trial continues before Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy and a jury.

2018-02-09 · Cavan

Suspect neo-nazi killer being "spoon fed" after injuries sustained in violent kidnap, trial hears

A 34-year-old Latvian woman is on trial at the Central Criminal Court charged with impeding the prosecution of a man suspected of murdering Antra Ozolina, a 49-year-old woman found dead at their shared home in Kilnaleck, County Cavan in June 2014. The accused is alleged to have placed a cord around the deceased's neck to simulate suicide. She has pleaded not guilty but accepts that Ms Ozolina did not take her own life and does not dispute that another person caused her death. The trial heard that the male suspect has not been charged due to severe injuries sustained during a violent car hijacking in Longford in October 2014. Following a collision with a civilian vehicle during a garda pursuit, he sustained a traumatic brain injury and has remained in hospital care, now requiring spoon feeding and hoisting. Evidence regarding the deceased's injuries and the circumstances of her death was presented to the jury. The trial continues before Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy.

2018-02-08 · Cavan

Woman said she was "in fear for her life" when she simulated housemate's suicide

A 34-year-old Latvian woman is on trial at the Central Criminal Court charged with impeding the apprehension or prosecution of a man in connection with the death of Antra Ozolina. The accused, Egita Jaunmaize, is alleged to have placed a cord around Ms Ozolina's neck to simulate suicide at their home in Kilnaleck, Co Cavan on or about 27 or 28 June 2014. Ms Jaunmaize has pleaded not guilty but accepts that Ms Ozolina's death was not self-inflicted. During evidence, she told gardaí she acted under duress, stating she witnessed the alleged killer assaulting Ms Ozolina and feared for her own life. She said she was forced to help stage the scene after being threatened. The trial, heard before Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy and a jury, continues.

2018-02-08 · Cavan

Woman accused of simulating housemate's suicide told gardai of row over car loan

A 34-year-old woman from Latvia is on trial at the Central Criminal Court charged with impeding the apprehension or prosecution of a man in connection with the death of her housemate. The accused is alleged to have placed a cord around the neck of Antra Ozolina to simulate suicide at their home in Kilnaleck, County Cavan on or about 27 or 28 June 2014. She has pleaded not guilty but accepts that Ms Ozolina's death was not self-inflicted. In her voluntary statement to gardai, the accused described a significant row with the deceased over a car loan she had agreed to sign for but subsequently withdrew from. She recounted that Ms Ozolina was intoxicated when they met that evening and became angry at her decision. The accused stated she went to bed and discovered Ms Ozolina the following morning. She later told gardai that another person was present in the house that night. The trial before Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy and a jury continues.

2018-02-07 · Cavan

Victim's daughter tells simulated suicide trial that mother was "happy person"

A daughter testified at the Central Criminal Court that her mother, a 49-year-old Latvian woman, was a contented and healthy person with no medical ailments. The trial concerns Egita Jaunmaize, aged 34, of no fixed abode, who has pleaded not guilty to impeding the apprehension or prosecution of a person in connection with the death of Antra Ozolina at The Old Post, Kilnaleck, County Cavan, in June 2014. The prosecution alleges that Ms Jaunmaize placed a cord around Ms Ozolina's neck to simulate suicide. The defence has conceded that Ms Ozolina's death was not suicide and that another individual caused her death. Evidence heard included testimony from colleagues and acquaintances describing Ms Ozolina as a happy person unlikely to take her own life. A witness who lived nearby described suspicious behaviour by Ms Jaunmaize and another man following the discovery of the body. The trial before Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy continues with a jury of twelve.

2018-02-07 · Cavan

Woman accused of simulating housemate's suicide was "acting strangely", trial told

A 34-year-old Latvian woman has pleaded not guilty to impeding the apprehension or prosecution of a man in connection with a death in Co Cavan. The trial at the Central Criminal Court heard that Egita Jaunmaize is accused of placing a blue cord around the neck of Antra Ozolina (49) to simulate suicide at The Old Post, Main Street, Kilnaleck on or about June 27 or 28, 2014. A witness testified that Ms Jaunmaize and a man returned to his house at 8am on June 28, behaving strangely and claiming Ms Ozolina had hanged herself. The witness said they asked him not to contact gardaí and left the room repeatedly to speak privately. Defence counsel acknowledged that Ms Jaunmaize accepts Ms Ozolina's death was not suicide and does not dispute that another person caused her death. The trial before Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy continues with a jury of seven men and five women.

2018-02-06 · Cavan

Woman faked housemate's suicide out of "fear", jury to hear

A 34-year-old Latvian woman has pleaded not guilty at the Central Criminal Court to impeding the apprehension or prosecution of a person in connection with a death in Kilnaleck, Co Cavan, in June 2014. Egita Jaunmaize is accused of placing a cord around the neck of her housemate, Antra Ozolina, to simulate suicide and hinder investigation into the death. The prosecution alleges Ms Ozolina died from neck compression caused by another person. The defence has acknowledged that Ms Ozolina's death was not suicide and does not dispute that a named individual caused her death. The Crown's opening outlined how initial examination suggested suicide, but subsequent forensic examination by the Deputy State Pathologist revealed blunt force injuries and determined death resulted from neck compression. The trial, before Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy and a jury, is expected to last two weeks.

2018-02-05 · Cavan

Woman to go on trial charged with simulating suicide of homicide victim

Egita Jaunmaize, a 34-year-old Latvian woman of no fixed abode, is due to go on trial tomorrow in the Central Criminal Court. She has been charged with impeding the apprehension or prosecution of a man, knowing or believing him to have committed the offence of murder or some other arrestable offence at The Old Post, Main Street, Kilnaleck, Co Cavan, on or about June 27 or June 28, 2014. The prosecution alleges that Ms Jaunmaize placed a blue cord around the deceased person's neck to simulate a suicide. Ms Jaunmaize was arraigned before the court today and pleaded not guilty to the charge. Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy swore a jury of seven men and five women to hear the trial. The proceedings are scheduled to begin tomorrow and are expected to last two weeks. As the matter is at the trial stage and has not yet concluded, no findings, sentences, or final disposals have been recorded. The case remains active, with the accused facing the allegation of obstructing justice regarding a homicide victim.

2016-11-07 · Cavan

Pearse McAuley has jail sentence increased for "horrifying" attack on wife

An appeal has been heard in the Court of Appeal regarding the sentence imposed on Pearse McAuley for seriously assaulting and falsely imprisoning his estranged wife, Pauline Tully, and other related offences committed at their former home in Kilnaleck, Co Cavan on Christmas Eve 2014. McAuley, who pleaded guilty to the charges, was initially sentenced to 12 years imprisonment with the final four years suspended by Judge John Aylmer on December 2, 2015. The Court of Appeal found that the effective sentence of eight years was 'unduly lenient' and re-sentenced McAuley to 12 years imprisonment with the final two years suspended. Appeal Mr Justice Seán Ryan noted that the headline sentence of 12 years was 'modest' given the 'horrifying circumstances' of the case, but the Director of Public Prosecutions did not contest the headline sentence. Rather, the DPP's barrister, Monica Lawlor BL, argued that the effective sentence was too lenient. The matter was adjourned for further consideration.

2016-07-18 · Cavan

DPP to appeal Pearse McAuley's 12-year sentence for attacking estranged wife

The Director of Public Prosecutions will argue before the Court of Appeal in November that a 12-year prison sentence imposed on a man for attacking his estranged wife was "unduly lenient". Pearse McAuley, aged 50 and resident in Ballyconnell, Co Cavan, pleaded guilty to serious assault and false imprisonment of his estranged wife, along with related offences committed at their former home in Kilnaleck on Christmas Eve 2014. He was sentenced at Cavan Circuit Criminal Court in December 2015 to 12 years imprisonment, with the final four years suspended. The DPP seeks a review of the sentence on grounds of undue leniency. Mr Justice George Birmingham set November 7 as the hearing date during case management procedures at the Court of Appeal. McAuley was not present for the procedural matter.

2014-07-04 · Dublin

Balbriggan District Court round-up

Balbriggan District Court heard various matters. James Reid pleaded guilty to hit and run, failing to stop, failing to provide information, failing to keep the vehicle at the scene, failing to report the incident, and having no tax. Judge Dermot Dempsey convicted Reid, fined him €400 for the hit and run offences, fined him €100 for no tax, and disqualified him from driving for six months. Piotr Boryslawski pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of cannabis. The judge ordered him to pay €300 to the Molly McNally Trust Fund by month's end, stating the charge would be struck out if paid. Several defendants were remanded on continuing bail. James Walsh, charged with cultivating cannabis, was adjourned to September 18 for service of the Book of Evidence. Gareth Lokko, alleged to have breached a barring order and caused criminal damage, was remanded to July 24. Kevin Harmon, alleged to have assaulted another man causing harm, was remanded to September 25 for DPP directions. Lorna Daly, alleged to have stolen petrol and used a false registration plate, was remanded to July 24 for a plea. Jandean Hyland, charged with assault causing harm, was remanded to July 31. Stephane Mbama, alleged to have dangerous driving and driving without insurance, was remanded to July 31. Michael Bollard, alleged to have breached a safety order, was granted bail with conditions and adjourned to July 17.