Paula Whyte, sister of David Whyte, learned of her brother's murder on television news on 29 September 2008. She described seeing a description of a man who matched her brother's appearance and clothing, which shocked her. She called her brother's phone, found it out of service, and then called 999. Paula and her sister went to Ballyfermot Garda Station, where she identified David's remains. While in the witness box, the court showed footage of a man at a shop doorway on 24 September 2009, which Paula identified as her brother, the last recorded sighting. The trial also heard from Ivan Ennis, who said the accused, Criostoir MacCarthaigh, threatened him that night, saying "I will cut you." The State alleges MacCarthaigh stabbed David on Ulster Street and then drove him to the derelict churchyard in Palmerstown where he was killed. The trial is before Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy and a jury of seven men and five women. Criostoir MacCarthaigh pleaded not guilty.
A judge will decide after Christmas whether to extradite Kenneth Brunell (27) of Palmerstown and Barry McArdle (27) of Drimnagh to the Netherlands for the death of Keith Ennis (29) of Walkinstown, whose body parts were found in a suitcase in an Amsterdam canal. The men were arrested on extradition warrants issued in 2011. Philip County (31) of Lucan had already been extradited in 2011. Mr Patrick McGrath SC argued that Dutch prosecutors abused process by drafting a prosecution instead of an investigation to secure extradition, claiming no remedy protects the respondents. Ms Siobhan Stack SC for the State countered that the Dutch prosecutor had indeed decided to charge and try the men. Mr Justice John Edwards noted the lack of a decision to charge and said the case would be mentioned again on 14 January, remanding the men in custody until then.
The High Court heard arguments about extraditing Dublin men Kenneth Brunell (27) and Barry McArdle (27) to the Netherlands to face charges linked to the death of Keith Ennis (29), whose body parts were found in a suitcase in an Amsterdam canal. Brunell and McArdle were arrested on extradition warrants issued in 2011. Brunell's counsel, Robert Barron SC, argued that extradition would violate his constitutional right to an independent, objective assessment because the Dutch prosecutor's decision to charge him was allegedly biased. The court noted that a third man, Philip County (31), had already been extradited in 2011. Judge John Edwards, troubled by the legal bias claim, adjourned the hearing to 18 November, remanded McArdle in custody until then, and issued a warrant for Brunell, who did not attend the hearing. Brunell's counsel said he feared for his life and had gone into hiding. The case remains pending.
The Special Criminal Court has granted 31-year-old Thomas McMahon permission to travel to Lithuania for a second time this year, despite objections from gardai. Mr McMahon, of Ros Fearna, Murroe, is on bail on a charge of membership of an unlawful organisation styling itself the Irish Republican Army, otherwise Oglaigh na hEireann, otherwise the IRA. He faces this charge alongside co-accused Noel Noonan (34), of St. Patrick's Hostel, Clare Street. Both men were arrested in February near Cahir, Co Tipperary, by the Special Detective Unit during an investigation into dissident republican activities. The court, presided over by Mr Justice Paul Butler, acceded to an application by counsel Mr Michael Bowman BL to vary bail restrictions until November 6th to allow Mr McMahon to attend a family wedding. Detective Inspector William Hanrahan stated that gardai objected because they could not monitor Mr McMahon while he was abroad, noting he is due to stand trial in March next year. However, the judge noted the variation was for a very limited period and that Mr McMahon had returned from a previous visit. The court agreed to the variation, noting the bail surety was present. The matter remains at the pre-trial stage, with the trial scheduled for next year.
John Coughlan, 33, of Moyross, was found guilty of murdering Daniel Treacy, 35, at a Limerick petrol station on 22 February 2010. Coughlan pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter; the prosecution rejected the plea and a jury heard a two‑week trial. Treacy, who regularly visited the station for tea, was shot three times in the head and once in the groin. Coughlan claimed he was suffering from paranoid schizophrenia at the time, a defence that was not accepted. The jury, after 3½ hours of deliberation, returned a unanimous verdict of guilty. Mr Justice Paul Carney imposed a mandatory life sentence, back‑dated to 1 March 2010, and thanked the jury before excusing them. The case was heard in the Limerick County Court.
The jury is set to begin deliberations in the Limerick murder trial of John Coughlan, a 33‑year‑old electrician from Pineview Gardens, Moyross. Coughlan pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter for the fatal shooting of Daniel Treacy, 35, at Topaz garage, Caherdavin, Ennis Road, on 22 February 2010. The court rejected the plea, and a jury of seven women and five men was sworn in for a two‑week trial. Prosecutor Ms Úna Ni Raifeartaigh SC described the case as complex, noting a planned shooting and a diagnosis of paranoid schizophrenia, while highlighting the earlier killing of Coughlan's brother, Darren, by Treacy's brother. She urged the jury to consider CCTV footage and the accused's alleged hearing voices. Defence counsel Mr Brian McCartney QC argued for diminished responsibility, citing psychiatric evidence of schizophrenia, and urged a manslaughter verdict.