Court archive
Court reports mentioning Sixmilebridge, Clare
2025-02-19 · Clare
Patrick Harty, 51, was sentenced to five years in prison, with the final year suspended, for a seven‑month crime spree in which he stole about €20,000 worth of property from weddings and other social settings. He pleaded guilty to five counts, including four thefts and one unlawful use of a car, and was found to have committed the offences between 31 May 2023 and 1 January 2024 in various locations across Leinster, such as a hotel in Co Kildare, Brittas Bay in Co Wicklow and Dublin City Centre. The court heard that no property was recovered and that Harty's offences caused "great inconvenience" to his victims. He has a history of theft, burglary and traffic offences, and the judge noted his personal circumstances, including a brain injury and a background of neglect. Harty was directed to undergo one year of post‑release supervision by the Probation Services.
2023-10-23 · Clare
Tony McInerney, a convicted drug dealer and leader of a large network in Co Clare, was sentenced at the Central Criminal Court to a consecutive 27 years in prison. The court heard that McInerney, who pleaded guilty in July to the attempted murder of Daniel Harty Junior in Sixmilebridge in January 2020, will serve a 17-year term for that offence. This sentence runs consecutively to a ten-year term he is already serving for running a cocaine factory, a sentence originally set at 12 years but reduced by the Court of Appeal. McInerney also pleaded guilty to reckless endangerment and making threats to kill, receiving five years for each charge to run concurrently with the attempted murder sentence. The judge described the incident as "gangland thuggery and violence," noting that the attack, allegedly linked to a drug debt and personal animosity, terrorised the public. An innocent bystander was shot in the buttock, while Harty Junior suffered three gunshot wounds, losing the use of his left arm. The judge highlighted the planned nature of the crime, involving a vehicle stored for a month, and the indifference shown to bystanders. McInerney's previous convictions and the high level of criminality necessitated the consecutive sentencing structure.
2023-10-16 · Clare
Tony McInerney, the appellant, appeared before the Central Criminal Court at a sentence hearing for offences committed in January 2020. McInerney, who the court heard was the leader of a large drug network in Co Clare, pleaded guilty to the attempted murder of Daniel Harty Junior, intentionally or recklessly discharging a firearm, and making a threat to kill or cause serious harm to Harty Junior. The court heard that McInerney was initially jailed for 12 years for running a "cocaine factory" in 2020, a sentence later reduced to ten years by the Court of Appeal. During the current proceedings, Detective Sergeant Kevin O'Hagan detailed how McInerney and another man fired shots at Harty Junior during a music festival in Sixmilebridge, injuring an innocent bystander in the buttocks. McInerney was arrested in 2021 and has 13 previous convictions, including possession of explosives. Defence counsel Michael Collins SC submitted that McInerney had pleaded guilty early and apologized to society. Mr Justice Paul McDermott remanded McInerney in custody until next Monday, when he will be sentenced.
2023-07-10 · Clare
Tony McInerney, a 27‑year‑old former resident of Glenina, Gort Road, Ennis, Co Clare, has admitted to two new offences after previously pleading guilty to attempted murder. He was arraigned on a charge that on 18 January 2020 at Pound Street, Sixmilebridge, Co Clare, he intentionally or recklessly discharged a firearm, creating a substantial risk of death or serious harm to another. He was also arraigned on a charge that between 1 January 2019 and 18 January 2020 at Inis Eagla, Shannon, Co Clare, he threatened to kill or cause serious harm to Daniel Harty Snr, intending Mr Harty Snr to believe the threat would be carried out. McInerney pleaded guilty to both charges. He had previously pleaded guilty to the attempted murder of Daniel Harty Jnr on 18 January 2020 and was jailed for 12 years, later reduced to ten years by the Court of Appeal. The judge set a sentencing hearing for 16 October.
2023-06-19 · Clare
The High Court has refused a pre-trial application to adjourn repossession proceedings brought by Receiver James Anderson, appointed by Pepper Finance Ireland DAC, against Davy Fitzgerald. Ms Helen Fitzgerald, who resides at the property in Co Clare, sought an adjournment until the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) adjudicated on her claim that she holds a valid tenancy and that no termination notice was served. The plaintiffs opposed the application. Mr Justice Garrett Simons rejected the bid, ruling that the High Court, not the RTB, has jurisdiction to determine whether a binding tenancy exists against the plaintiffs. He noted the 2004 Residential Tenancies Act does not grant the RTB exclusive jurisdiction on this matter and directed that his judgment be brought to the RTB's attention. The case is to be readied for hearing. Mr Fitzgerald, who appears on the RTE Television programme Ireland's Fittest Family, has raised separate issues regarding loans from ACC Bank, alleging fraud by former official Jarlath Mitchell and disputing the validity of the loan transfer to Pepper. He also contests a €25,000 interest surcharge demanded by Pepper and argues the case belongs in the Circuit Court. Lawyers for the fund and receiver rejected these criticisms.
2023-05-22 · Clare
Tony McInerney, 27, a former drug dealer from Glenina, Gort Road, Ennis, admitted to attempting to murder Daniel Harty Jnr on 18 January 2020 at Pound Street, Sixmilebridge, Co Clare. He pleaded guilty at the Central Criminal Court. McInerney had previously been convicted of running a cocaine factory and was sentenced to 12 years in prison in May 2021, a term later reduced by two years on appeal. He also pleaded guilty to possession of cocaine for sale or supply and to possessing crime cash on 23 September 2020. The judge described him as "at the top of the pyramid" of the Clare drug scene and noted his status as a target of the divisional drugs unit. The case is set for mention on 10 July, with McInerney remanded in custody. Ms Justice Eileen Creedon ordered a victim impact statement to be prepared by that date.
2022-11-15 · Waterford
GAA star David Fitzgerald raised questions before the Deputy Master of the High Court regarding the alleged sale of his ACC Bank loan to a 'vulture fund'. The proceedings were brought by Pepper Finance and receiver James Anderson against Fitzgerald, the Waterford Senior Hurling Manager, seeking possession of a house in Co Clare. Fitzgerald opposes the application, arguing that Pepper may not own the loan and that he has received insufficient information about the purported transfer to entities named Newgrange Acquisition DAC and Otterham. His counsel, Ronnie Hudson, also challenged the proportionality of the receivers' fees, noting that a Deloitte chartered accountant was appointed for a single property. Fitzgerald claims he wishes to redeem the mortgage of over €200,000 but is blocked by a disputed €25,000 interest surcharge. The Deputy Master, Mr John Glennon, stated that these issues are for a High Court judge to determine. He indicated an intention to list the case before a judge but granted an adjournment to allow Fitzgerald to swear an affidavit in reply to the applicant's claim. The matter was adjourned and will return before the Deputy Master later this month. Fitzgerald also linked these proceedings to separate claims against former ACC Bank official Jarlath Mitchell and ACC Bank, alleging fraud involving false mortgage documentation in Portugal.
2022-10-25 · Clare
In a High Court appeal-stage matter, Davy Fitzgerald, represented by Ronnie Hudson BL and solicitor Max Mooney, contested proceedings brought by Pepper Finance and receiver James Anderson against him and his sister Helen Fitzgerald. The plaintiffs sought possession of a property in Sixmilebridge, Co Clare, where Helen resides. Fitzgerald claimed he was a victim of fraud by former ACC Bank official Kevin Jarlath Mitchell, who was jailed in April 2013 after pleading guilty to theft, obtaining cash and a cheque under false pretences, and falsifying a DIRT compliance certificate between January 1993 and February 2012. Mitchell's four-year sentence was later halved on appeal. Fitzgerald alleged Mitchell falsely added his name to Portuguese mortgage documents and that €45,000 in deposits is unaccounted for. He argued that Pepper Finance, described as a vulture fund, was preventing him from redeeming a €200,000 mortgage by demanding an unjustified €25,000 interest surcharge. Deputy Master John Glennon initially struck out the case due to the plaintiffs' non-appearance. However, after the plaintiffs requested reinstatement, citing a brief delay, and Fitzgerald's counsel opposed, Glennon stated he lacked the power to reverse the decision without party consent. He noted the matter would likely be reinstated on appeal or re-issued, effectively leaving the case unresolved and subject to further procedural steps.
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.
2015-01-23 · Tipperary
The High Court has struck out a damages action brought by Lorcan Roche Kelly against the State following the murder of his wife, Sylvia Roche Kelly, in December 2007. Ms Roche Kelly, a mother of two, was killed at The Clarion Hotel in Limerick by Gerard McGrath, who was later sentenced to life imprisonment. Mr Roche Kelly had sued the State, the Garda Commissioner, and the Minister for Justice, claiming that McGrath should have remained in custody rather than being granted bail on charges relating to an assault on a taxi driver in County Cavan and false imprisonment in County Tipperary. High Court President Mr Justice Nicholas Kearns dismissed the claim, acknowledging the case's tragic nature but finding it disclosed no reasonable cause of action under existing law. While the judge described the handling of bail procedures by An Garda Síochána as negligent and disgraceful, he concluded that McGrath's actions were not reasonably foreseeable and that no special duty of care towards the deceased had arisen.
2014-12-15 · Clare
Simon Gentles, aged 29, pleaded guilty to aggravated burglary at a home in Sixmilebridge, Co Clare, on 7 January 2010. He was originally sentenced to four years imprisonment by Judge Carroll Moran at Ennis Circuit Criminal Court on 6 February 2012. On appeal, the Court of Appeal, following an application by the Director of Public Prosecutions, increased his sentence to ten years imprisonment, with the final four years suspended. Mr Justice Alan Mahon noted that Gentles forcefully burst into the home of Ms Fitzpatrick, wearing a balaclava and carrying a sawn‑off shotgun that was loaded. He threatened to shoot Ms Fitzpatrick's head and pointed the gun at her 15‑year‑old son. The judge highlighted the violent and threatening nature of the offence and the use of a loaded firearm, and considered Gentles' prior convictions and prison courses when determining the suspended portion. Gentles will serve the new sentence of ten years imprisonment, with the final four years suspended.