Court archive
Court reports mentioning Kilmurry, Clare
2024-02-19 · Limerick
Sandra Hehir, sister of Christy Keane, pleaded guilty in October to laundering €124,055 found in her attic. Defence counsel requested a suspended sentence, citing her lack of prior convictions and positive rehabilitation. The Special Criminal Court adjourned the matter to February 26 for sentence finalisation. In related proceedings, her son Warren Hehir, who pleaded guilty to laundering €59,000 and possessing a Rolex, was jailed for five years and three months, with the final 12 months suspended. His wife, Vicky Hehir, also known as Victoria O'Halloran, pleaded guilty to laundering the same €59,000. The court sentenced her to two years in prison, fully suspended, on conditions that she refrain from contact with the Keane gang and reside away from Garryowen and Kilmurry. The court noted that a custodial sentence would be unduly harsh on her three children. Prosecutors indicated that five other counts could be considered, while three others would receive a nolle prosequi. The investigation targeted the Keane Organised Crime Group, with evidence suggesting Hehir's financial activities were inconsistent with her legitimate income.
2024-01-22 · Limerick
Vicky Hehir and Warren Hehir were sentenced at the Special Criminal Court after pleading guilty to money laundering charges linked to the Keane organised crime group. Vicky Hehir, 30, admitted to laundering €12,000 in cash for renovations at a Limerick City home and one charge relating to €59,000 for works at Kilmurry Court. The court found her involvement was solely due to her marriage and placed her offending at the lower end of the scale. She was sentenced to two years in prison, fully suspended, on conditions that she refrain from contact with organised crime groups and reside away from the Garryowen and Kilmurry areas. Her husband, Warren Hehir, 33, pleaded guilty to handling €59,000 in cash and a Rolex watch, both alleged to be proceeds of criminal conduct. The judge noted his mid-level status within the gang and 54 previous convictions. He received a headline sentence of seven years and three months, reduced to five years and three months, with the final 12 months suspended. Conditions require him to refrain from contact with organised crime and demonstrate a law-abiding lifestyle. The court also ordered the forfeiture of two seized Rolex watches and all seized money. Sandra Hehir, Warren's mother, previously pleaded guilty to laundering over €100,000 at her home, though she was not sentenced in this specific hearing.
2023-12-04 · Limerick
The Special Criminal Court adjourned the sentence hearing for Sandra Hehir until January 29, remanding her on continuing bail until that date. Hehir, 56, of Limerick City, pleaded guilty in October to handling €124,055 in cash found in her attic, knowing or believing it was the proceeds of criminal conduct. Prosecution evidence described her as the sister of Christy Keane, identified as the patriarch of the Keane Organised Crime Group, and the mother of Warren Hehir. Sergeant Cathal O'Sullivan stated that gardai considered her a key facilitator in acquiring assets for Kilmurry Court, noting her financial accounts were not in line with her legitimate income from hairdressing and pensions. The court also heard that Warren Hehir (33) and his wife Vicky Hehir (30), both of Castleconnell, Co Limerick, had pleaded guilty to money laundering charges related to €59,000 spent on works at Kilmurry Court. Warren Hehir additionally pleaded guilty to handling a Rolex watch suspected to be criminal proceeds. While the source text mentions a previous sentencing date of January 22 for the Hehir couple, the current procedural stage for Sandra Hehir is an adjournment to January 29. No final sentence was imposed at this hearing.
2023-11-27 · Limerick
Vicky Hehir (30), also known as Victoria O'Halloran, of Bruach na Sionna, Castleconnell, Co Limerick and her husband Warren Hehir (33) of the same address appeared before the three-judge court for their sentence hearing today. Both pleaded guilty to one charge of money laundering in relation to the €59,000 for the works carried out at Kilmurry Court. The court heard that Warren Hehir didn't engage with gardai during his detention other than to answer one question in relation to renovations at Kilmurry Court, in which he said "I got the work done." Mr Justice Michael MacGrath, sitting with Judge Sarah Berkeley and Judge James Faughnan, remanded Warren Hehir in custody and Vicky Hehir on continuing bail until January 22 2024, when they will be sentenced. "The court takes a serious view of the offending of both defendants," added Mr Justice MacGrath. Sandra Hehir (54), with an address at Assumpta Park, Island road, Limerick City, pleaded guilty last month before the Special Criminal Court to laundering over one hundred thousand euro in crime cash at her home. The court heard that the property at Kilmurry Court was being purchased on behalf of Warren and Vicky Hehir. An order to freeze the couple's financial accounts in various institutions was sought on foot of the search and other items were found. The court heard that Warren Hehir has 54 previous convictions which include money laundering in the context of drug dealing, robbery, criminal damage and the possession of a firearm and ammunition. The matter was adjourned until January 22 2024.
2023-10-13 · Limerick
Sandra Hehir, 54, pleaded guilty in the Special Criminal Court to a charge of handling €124,055 in cash, allegedly proceeds of criminal conduct, at her Limerick home on June 17, 2020. Prosecutors indicated five other counts could be taken into consideration, with three facing nolle prosequi. Defense counsel requested time to produce references and noted that two co-accused, Vicky Hehir and Warren Hehir, had previously pleaded guilty to related money laundering charges involving €59,000 linked to works at Kilmurry Court, Limerick. Vicky Hehir admitted to one charge of money laundering regarding these works, while Warren Hehir admitted to handling the €59,000 and possessing a Rolex watch, allegedly proceeds of crime. The co-accused are listed for mention on October 23 to fix a sentence hearing. To allow for a potential undertaking regarding family members, defense counsel requested a separate sentence date for Sandra Hehir. The court, presided over by Mr Justice Michael MacGrath with Ms Justice Sarah Berkeley and Mr Justice James Faughnan, agreed to list her case for mention on October 31 to fix a sentence hearing. The matter was adjourned, and Sandra Hehir was remanded on bail on the same terms and conditions.
2023-07-31 · Limerick
In a Special Criminal Court hearing, Vicky Hehir (30) and Warren Hehir (33) pleaded guilty to money‑laundering offences linked to €59,000 spent on renovations at Kilmurry Court, Garryowen, Limerick, between 8 August 2019 and 17 June 2020. Warren was charged with possessing, using, converting, transferring or handling cash of that value, knowing or recklessly believing it to be proceeds of crime, and with handling a Rolex watch on 17 June 2020 under similar circumstances. He pleaded guilty to both charges. Vicky pleaded guilty to the single charge concerning the €59,000. The court adjourned the case to 2 October for report production before sentencing. A third person, Warren's mother Sandra Hehir (54), is also charged with multiple money‑laundering offences; her barrister has requested the court to revisit her case on 19 September.
2022-10-10 · Limerick
Three members of the Hehir family appeared before the Special Criminal Court on 10 October 2022. Sandra Hehir (54) was charged with nine non‑scheduled offences, Vicky Hehir (29) with four, and Warren Hehir (32) with two, all under Section 7 of the Criminal Justice Act 2010 for money laundering and terrorist financing. The alleged offences involved handling, acquiring or possessing cash totalling €59,000, and in Sandra's case an additional €124,055, between 1 January 2017 and 18 June 2020. She was also charged with unlawful possession of cannabis for sale. Vicky and Warren were charged with handling or possessing Rolex watches. The court received three books of evidence, the accused were granted legal aid, and Sandra's bail terms were altered to three days a week. All three were remanded on continuing bail until 14 November for a further mention.
2022-03-23 · Clare
Richard O'Mara, aged 33, was convicted of two counts of rape against a teenage schoolgirl at his sister's 18th birthday party in 2015. He received a 14‑year sentence with the final two years suspended by Ms Justice Tara Burns. O'Mara appealed to reduce the sentence, arguing it was too long, but the Court of Appeal dismissed the appeal. Justice Úna Ní Raifeartaigh noted the appellant had few mitigating factors, no guilty plea, no remorse, and a heart condition, and that the suspended portion had already been considered. The court upheld the original sentence, stating it was within the judge's discretion and not unduly high. O'Mara's barrister argued for a greater reduction, citing his client's good character and lack of prior convictions, but the appeal was rejected. The case remains at the sentencing stage. Richard O'Mara pleaded not guilty.
2022-01-25 · Clare
In a Court of Appeal hearing on 25 January 2022, the lawyers for Richard O'Mara, aged 33, argued that the 12‑year custodial sentence handed down by Ms Justice Tara Burns for two counts of rape was "very severe". O'Mara had been convicted in April 2019 by a jury at the Central Criminal Court for raping a teenage schoolgirl twice at an 18th birthday party in County Clare. The first assault occurred in a field near the party venue, the second inside the house after guests had left. O'Mara's appeal focuses on the lack of violence or force in the field rape and the absence of mitigating factors, citing his prior good character and lack of previous convictions. The Director of Public Prosecutions maintained that the sentence was appropriate, noting the victim's injuries, the pre‑meditated nature of the first rape, and the violence and humiliation inflicted during both assaults. Richard O'Mara pleaded not guilty.
2021-09-27 · Clare
In 2015, Richard O'Mara, aged 32, raped a 17‑year‑old schoolgirl twice at his sister's 18th birthday party in County Clare. The first assault occurred in a field behind the house; the second took place on a couch inside the house after the party. The victim, who was terrified of seeing O'Mara again, stayed in her bedroom for two months and reported severe physical and psychological trauma. O'Mara pleaded not guilty but was found guilty by a Central Criminal Court jury in April 2019. He was sentenced to 14 years' imprisonment, with the final two years suspended on strict conditions. In June 2019, the Court of Appeal dismissed O'Mara's appeal, upholding the conviction and confirming that the evidence and investigative procedures met the required legal standards. No further sentence changes were announced.
2021-05-18 · Clare
Richard O'Mara, 31, of Tallaght, Dublin, appealed his conviction to the Court of Appeal regarding two counts of rape committed in Co Clare in 2015. O'Mara had previously pleaded not guilty but was found guilty by a Central Criminal Court jury. He was sentenced to 14 years' imprisonment, with the final two years suspended on strict conditions, resulting in an effective custody period of 12 years. The appeal, argued by Michael Delaney SC, contended that the trial should have been halted because Gardaí failed to examine the crime scene at Ballymulcashel, Kilmurry, Sixmilebridge. Defence counsel cited a forensic report suggesting semen could have been detected on a sofa nine months after the incident, arguing this missing evidence deprived O'Mara of a realistic defence. The DPP, represented by Maurice Coffey SC, countered that the appellant had not met the necessary legal test for the absence of evidence to warrant a stay. The court, presided over by President George Birmingham, reserved its judgement. The matter was adjourned pending the decision.
2019-06-06 · Clare
In a 2019 Central Criminal Court hearing, Richard O'Mara, aged 31, was convicted of two counts of rape against a 17‑year‑old schoolgirl who attended his sister's eighteenth birthday party. The first rape occurred in a field where O'Mara forced the victim onto the ground, removed her clothing and raped her. The second rape took place in his family house, where he again forced her to lie on a couch, removed her jeans and underwear and raped her. O'Mara pleaded not guilty but was found guilty by a jury after a two‑and‑a‑half‑week trial. Justice Tara Burns sentenced him to 14 years' imprisonment, suspending the final two years on strict conditions. The sentence reflected the seriousness of the offences, the victim's young age, the two separate rapes and the lack of remorse shown by the accused. No prior convictions were recorded for O'Mara.
2017-02-10 · Limerick
Monika Matracka, 35, pleaded not guilty to the murder of Michal Rejmer, 38, at her home in The Pines, Briarfield, Castletroy, between 8 pm on 30 December and midnight on 31 December 2015. She claimed self‑defence, stating she stabbed Rejmer. Rejmer was reported missing on 6 January 2016 after failing to report to work at MacDonald's. Witnesses from the Kilmurry Lodge Hotel testified that Matracka was "very honest and sincere" and had been visibly upset and crying on 7 January, citing stress and the ongoing search for Rejmer. CCTV footage showed Matracka's movements at the hotel and in the area, including a clip of her walking near The Pines with something across her arm or shoulder. The trial is before Mr Justice Paul Butler and a jury of twelve.