Court archive
Court reports mentioning Scarriff, Clare
2026-04-17 · Clare
In a Court of Appeal hearing on 17 April 2026, the prison term for 29‑year‑old Martin Gooney was increased from three years and two months to four and a half years after the State successfully appealed. Gooney had pleaded guilty in February 2025 to coercive control and sexual assault, and was originally sentenced by Ms Justice Caroline Biggs at the Central Criminal Court on 3 June 2025. The appeal focused on the severity of his conduct, which included hiding in the victim's shed to spy on her, threatening to hang her pet dog, and sending messages to her family purporting to be from her that expressed suicidal ideation. The Court of Appeal judge, Ms Justice Isobel Kennedy, described the offences as "grave" and "extremely manipulative", noting that Gooney had a history of nine prior convictions, including assault and threats of serious harm.
2025-06-03 · Clare
A 28‑year‑old man, Martin Gooney, pleaded guilty to coercive control and sexual assault. He was sentenced to three years and two months in prison, with a 12‑month post‑release supervision order. The victim, who wishes to remain anonymous, described how Gooney hid in her shed to spy on her, used her phone to send false messages, and repeatedly threatened her with violence, including a plan to hang her dog. He also sexually assaulted her in March 2021 and had other incidents of sexual assault. Gooney has nine prior convictions, including assault and threats of serious harm. He denied wrongdoing during the Garda interview but read a letter of apology at sentencing, claiming he was "young and stupid" and had no regard for the victim's feelings. The judge noted the victim's ongoing fear and the profound, long‑lasting impact of Gooney's actions.
2024-02-16 · Galway
Lucy Ewins, a Kenyan‑born resident of Ireland for over 30 years, has brought an injunction application against Promontoria Scariff Designated Activity Company and receiver Mr David O'Connor, alleging unlawful conduct in the sale of her four‑bedroom home in Knocknacarra, Galway. She claims the defendants' agents changed the locks, attempted to market the property for auction, and that a representative once stayed overnight in the sitting room, constituting trespass and a breach of her privacy rights. Ewins also alleges intimidation and harassment over several years. She seeks to restrain the defendants from selling or trespassing on the property. The High Court granted her permission to file the injunction, and the case was adjourned for two weeks to allow the defendants to reply. The defendants deny all allegations in the "strongest possible terms" and have offered undertakings not to sell or attend the property until the matter returns to court.
2024-02-14 · Galway
Lucy Ewins, a businesswoman who has lived in Ireland for over 30 years, has applied to the High Court for injunctions to stop a financial fund and its receiver from trespassing on or selling her Galway City home at The Rise, Knocknacarra. She alleges that the defendants' agents entered her residence, changed the locks, and are attempting to market the property for auction. Ewins also claims that a representative of the defendants stayed overnight in the sitting room and that the defendants have harassed her for years. She says the property has been her principal private residence since 2014 and that she lives there permanently after her marriage ended. Ewins seeks orders restraining the defendants from selling the property and from any further trespass or interference. The case was adjourned to a later court sitting after the judge allowed her to serve short‑notice proceedings on the defendants.
2021-02-01 · Clare
The High Court approved a Personal Insolvency Arrangement for Mr Ciaran O'Neill, a 59‑year‑old construction manager, allowing him to write off almost €3 million in debt. Under the arrangement, Mr O'Neill will contribute €163,000 over six years, making monthly payments between €685 and €1,025. Creditors include Promontoria Aran and Promontoria Scariff DAC, AIB and AIB Mortgage Bank, Bank of Ireland, the Revenue Commissioners, and numerous trade creditors. The PIA permits Mr O'Neill to retain his family home at Rockville, Killegar, Ballybetagh Road, Enniskerry, Co. Wicklow. The court noted that unsecured creditors will receive 2 cents per euro under the PIA, compared with 1 cent per euro in bankruptcy. No objections were raised to the arrangement, though some creditors voted against the proposals. The arrangement was approved by Mr Justice Mark Sanfey on Monday.
2020-01-20 · Meath
The High Court approved a Personal Insolvency Arrangement for Neal Sweeney of Liscarton House, Navan, who owes over €2 million. The arrangement is the first approved by the High Court to involve a debt‑for‑equity swap. Sweeney's main secured creditor, Promontoria Scarriff DAC, accepted a 41 % share in his family home, valued at €600 000, in exchange for the debt. Other creditors include Promontoria Finn Ltd and Cabot Finance Ireland Ltd. The debt arose from arrears on the mortgage of the family home and residual debt from a previously sold property. Sweeney, who now works in the building sector, will continue to repay the €350 000 mortgage. The decision was made by Mr Justice Denis McDonald and was not contested by the creditors. The case is part of a broader trend of debt‑for‑equity swaps pending before the High Court.
2016-05-30 · Clare
Neil Kelly, 41, pleaded guilty to criminal damage for setting fire to Garda Áine Troy's car at Scarriff Garda Station on 19 March 2013. He received a wholly suspended three‑year sentence from Judge Gerard Keyes on 1 May 2015. The Court of Appeal rejected the Director of Public Prosecutions' appeal that the sentence was "unduly lenient". Judge Garrett Sheehan noted the case was "borderline" but the suspended sentence fell within the margin of appreciation. He described how Kelly intervened to stop his co‑accused from abusing Garda Troy, who had seized a vehicle for lacking insurance. Kelly paid €6,000 compensation and expressed remorse. The court found the offence an attack on the rule of law, yet mitigation factors justified the suspended sentence. The appeal was dismissed.