In a Special Criminal Court hearing, Liam Brannigan, 37, charged with conspiracy to murder Gary Hanley, pleaded not guilty. His defence, led by Giollaíosa Ó Lideadha SC, sought exclusion of several mobile phones seized during his arrest and subsequent searches. The phones included two found in Brannigan's pockets, one on a table in the apartment complex's car park, and an 085 phone discovered in the undergrowth behind St Nicholas of Myra Church on Francis Street. The defence argued that the 085 phone was "hugely significant" but that the time lapse between Brannigan's arrest on 6 November 2017 and the phone's discovery on 8 November 2017, as well as the lack of preservation of the scene, undermined its admissibility. They also challenged the legality of the search of Brannigan's home, the manner of his arrest by the Armed Support Unit, and the use of force, citing no statutory basis was provided and that the search breached constitutional rights.
In a High Court case, the Save Cork City Community Association CLG challenged Cork City Council's approval of a €6 million road upgrade that would open the city's docklands for further development. The association argued that the council's decision was flawed and breached EU directives on habitats and environmental assessments. It claimed that the council failed to explain how it determined the impact on nearby special conservation areas and that the approval was part of the Lower Lee Flood Relief Scheme, which is still under environmental assessment. The association said the council's approval amounted to "project splitting" and violated public participation rights. The group sought an order quashing the council's decision, declarations that the decision breached EU directives, and that the flood works were integral to the Lower Lee scheme. Permission to proceed was granted ex‑parte by Mr Justice Charles Meenan, with the case set for a January hearing.
The Special Criminal Court heard evidence in the trial of Liam Brannigan (37), of Bride Street, Dublin 8, who is charged with conspiring to murder Gary Hanley between September 15th and November 6th, 2017. Mr Brannigan has pleaded not guilty. Defence counsel suggested to Sergeant David J Campbell of the Armed Support Unit that unnecessary force was used during Mr Brannigan's arrest at Hanover Court, Dublin 8, on November 6th, 2017. The sergeant acknowledged CCTV footage showed officers on top of the accused after he had raised his hands and dropped to all fours, though he stated they were effecting an arrest. Detective Garda Val Russell testified that he arrested Mr Brannigan after hearing a thud and shouting commands, noting the accused fully cooperated. The court previously heard that Luke Wilson (24) and Joseph Kelly (35) were arrested nearby in possession of a 9mm Beretta pistol, silencer, and ammunition. Mr Wilson and Mr Kelly have pleaded guilty to conspiring to murder Mr Hanley. Luke Wilson, who also pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of a Beretta handgun with intent to endanger life, was jailed for 11 years. Alan Wilson (39), who pleaded guilty to conspiring to murder Mr Hanley, was jailed for six years. Joseph Kelly, who also admitted a weapons charge, was jailed for a total of 12 years.
Rosalind Barton, 49, of Barrduff, Killarney, pleaded guilty to possessing €139,000 worth of cannabis for sale or supply at Dromalour, Kanturk, Co Cork on 8 December 2017 and €8,000 worth of cocaine at her home on the same date. She claimed the drugs were sold to fund feeding of abandoned horses at her sanctuary. Barton was sentenced to six years' imprisonment, with the final two years suspended, by Judge Seán Ó Donnabháin on 10 January 2019. The Court of Appeal upheld the sentence. The court noted that gardaí observed two vans entering the side of the road outside Kanturk, from which black refuse bags containing the cannabis were taken. A follow‑up search of Barton's home revealed the cocaine. Barton admitted her role in the transactions and had no prior convictions. The appeal was dismissed with no error found in principle.
Brian Rattigan, a 39‑year‑old convicted criminal, has sworn a statement supporting Freddie Thompson's High Court challenge against Portlaoise Prison's A‑wing regime. Rattigan says there is "no bad blood" between him and Thompson, that they have good relations, have spoken long conversations, and that their families have met. He argues that housing them together poses no security threat and that Thompson's 18‑month detention in the punishment block is inhumane compared to the general prison population. Rattigan, who has been in and out of prison since 2003 and is due for release in 2021, claims he will not extend his time in prison and wishes to be moved to an open prison or receive intermittent release. Thompson, serving a life sentence for the 2016 murder of David Douglas, alleges that his regime denies him contact, exercise, fresh air and education, and that he is treated differently from other life‑sentence inmates.
In a Cork family home, John Murphy (45) abused his younger brother for a decade, from 1988 to 1997, when the victim was aged between ten and 20. The victim, now in his 40s, waived anonymity to identify his abuser. Murphy pleaded guilty in April to twelve counts, including three of oral rape. Mr Justice Micheal White set a headline sentence of 13 years, reduced to ten after Murphy's admissions and guilty pleas. The last two years were suspended on the condition that Murphy engage with psychological services, victim‑focused work, and a sex offender treatment programme while under Probation Service supervision. The victim's impact statement described the abuse as a devastating breach of trust, calling the brotherly relationship "cruelly violated" and expressing that he had become a survivor, free from the abuse. The judge noted that Murphy's sexual orientation was no excuse for his behaviour.
Liam Brannigan, 37, of Dublin 8, is on trial at the Special Criminal Court, having pleaded not guilty to conspiring to murder Gary Hanley between September 15th and November 6th, 2017. The court heard evidence from Detective Superintendent William Johnson regarding the deployment of listening devices on five vehicles, including a Seat and a Volkswagen caddy, allegedly used by Brannigan and associates. Johnson stated the surveillance was part of an investigation into the Kinahan Organised Crime Gang. The prosecution alleges the Nissan Primastar and Renault Laguna were used for surveillance and transport in the plot. The court also heard that Luke Wilson, 24, and Joseph Kelly, 35, were arrested after their vehicle was stopped on November 6th, 2017, during which a 9mm Beretta pistol and silencer were seized. Wilson and Kelly have previously pleaded guilty to conspiring to murder Hanley and unlawful possession of the handgun. Wilson was sentenced to 11 years, Kelly to 12 years, and Alan Wilson, 39, who also pleaded guilty to the conspiracy and weapons charges, was sentenced to six years. The trial continues before Mr Justice Paul Coffey.
Gavin Sheehan, aged 31, was convicted on 15 May 2016 of possessing a firearm and ammunition, recklessly discharging a firearm, and assault causing serious harm to Ciara Sheehan, a woman who was not related to him. The offence involved firing a handgun through a house window in Cork city, striking Ciara in the neck. Sheehan received a 14‑year prison sentence, with the final three years suspended, imposed by Judge Seán Ó Donnabháin on 14 February 2017. He has now applied to appeal the sentence. In the appeal, Patrick McGrath SC argued that the case relied on circumstantial evidence and that forensic evidence linking the bullet to the firearm was lacking. He highlighted that the bullet casing was found several houses away, that CCTV and 999 call times conflicted, and that some video evidence was of poor quality. The Court of Appeal, presided over by Mr Justice John Edwards, has reserved its judgment.
The trial of Liam Brannigan, accused of conspiring to murder Gary Hanley between September 15 and November 6, 2017, continued before a non-jury court. Brannigan, who has pleaded not guilty, faces charges of conspiracy and unlawful possession of a firearm. The court reviewed CCTV footage allegedly showing a white Nissan Primastar van and a black Renault Laguna surveilling Hanley's home in late October 2017. Prosecution counsel Seán Gillane SC stated these vehicles were used as "spotter cars" for surveillance and to ferry co-conspirators. Footage from November 6, 2017, depicted Brannigan's arrest at Hanover Court, where he allegedly discarded a phone and an illuminated item before being apprehended. The court also heard evidence regarding the arrest of Luke Wilson and Joseph Kelly on the same night, during which a 9mm Beretta pistol, silencer, and ammunition were seized. Wilson and Kelly have previously pleaded guilty to conspiring to murder Hanley. Luke Wilson, who also admitted to unlawful possession of the handgun with intent to endanger life, was jailed for 11 years. Alan Wilson, who pleaded guilty to conspiracy, received a six-year sentence. Joseph Kelly, who also admitted a weapons charge, was jailed for a total of 12 years. The trial continues.
The Special Criminal Court heard evidence regarding the harvesting of 3,500 hours of CCTV footage during the trial of Liam Brannigan, who is charged with conspiring to murder Gary Hanley between September 15th and November 6th, 2017. Mr Brannigan has pleaded not guilty. Detective Sergeant Declan O'Connell, who directed the collection of footage from various Dublin premises, admitted to the court that he did not consider the Data Protection Act or the privacy of the public during the operation. The defence, represented by John Berry BL, is taking issue with the admissibility of a proposed 48-minute montage of this footage. The court also heard that Mr Hanley initially declined permission for gardai to access his home CCTV, leading to a warrant being obtained for its seizure. Although the drive was later wiped, material was eventually retrieved. The trial continues before Mr Justice Paul Coffey. Separately, three men previously convicted of conspiring to murder Mr Hanley have been sentenced. Luke Wilson, who pleaded guilty to the conspiracy and unlawful possession of a Beretta handgun with intent to endanger life, was jailed for 11 years. Alan Wilson, who pleaded guilty to the conspiracy, received a six-year sentence. Joseph Kelly, who admitted the conspiracy and a weapons charge, was jailed for a total of 12 years.
During a trial for Liam Brannigan, a 37‑year‑old from Dublin, a detective explained how two tracking devices were found on a white Range Rover belonging to the partner of the intended murder victim, Gary Hanley. The devices were discovered under the vehicle's centre beam after the car was stopped on Beaumont Road. Brannigan is charged with conspiring to murder Hanley between 15 September and 6 November 2017 and has pleaded not guilty. The court also heard about the arrests of Luke Wilson, Alan Wilson and Joseph Kelly on 6 November, who were convicted of conspiring to murder Hanley and received sentences ranging from six to twelve years. The trial will continue the following day.
Molly Sloyan, 26, from Kinsale, was sentenced to 10 years' imprisonment with the final three years suspended for her role in a cocaine "factory" operation in Bantry. The Court of Appeal found the headline tariff too high, reducing it to seven years, then to five years after mitigating factors. Sloyan admitted to renting a house, hiring a car and buying chemicals used in extracting cocaine from imported fabric, but she was not involved in the extraction itself. She was not the mastermind or top of the hierarchy, though she provided logistical support and was fully aware of the operation. The Court noted her lack of prior convictions, early guilty plea, cooperation with Gardaí, and a psychological report detailing life adversities. A suspended 18‑month period was imposed, and she must fully cooperate with probation services for two years. The decision was made by Mr Justice John Edwards, Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy, and Ms Justice Isobel Kennedy.
A court has heard that secretly recorded conversations involving Liam Brannigan (37) from Bride Street, Dublin 8, will be presented as evidence in his trial for conspiring to murder Gary Hanley between September 15th and November 6th, 2017. Brannigan entered a 'not guilty' plea during his arraignment in the Special Criminal Court. Three men who previously pleaded guilty to conspiring to murder Mr Hanley have already been jailed: Luke Wilson (24), Alan Wilson (39), and Joseph Kelly (35). Luke Wilson was jailed for 11 years for unlawful possession of a Beretta handgun with intent to endanger life, Alan Wilson received six years, and Joseph Kelly was jailed for 12 years. The prosecution will rely on seized phones, vehicles, and audio recordings from a Garda surveillance operation to prove Brannigan's involvement in the plot. The trial will include evidence of detailed discussions about how Mr Hanley was to be shot, how they would react to resistance, and how they would escape. The court will also hear about the arrest of Joseph Kelly and Luke Wilson, during which a semi-automatic pistol, a sound suppressor, and petrol were found. The trial continues tomorrow.
The Court of Appeal has reduced the sentence of Martin Wanden, who was found guilty of his role in the €440 million drugs haul that went awry at Dunlough Bay, West Cork, in 2007. Wanden, who pleaded not guilty, was originally sentenced to 30 years imprisonment by Cork Circuit Criminal Court. His appeal, arguing the sentence was "crushing" and disproportionate, was successful. The court re-sentenced him to 23 years, noting mitigating factors including the tragic death of his wife and his status as a foreigner. The court found him "majorly involved" at an operational level, referencing his prior 2005 conviction for smuggling drugs in France. In related appeals, Perry Wharrie's original 30-year sentence was previously reduced to 17.5 years by the Court of Criminal Appeal, though the Supreme Court later ruled this reduction was legally incorrect. Joe Daly's 25-year sentence was upheld on appeal. A fourth defendant, Gerard Hagan, who pleaded guilty to possession of cocaine for sale or supply, received a 10-year sentence. The appeals highlighted the severity of the original sentences, which were among the longest ever imposed for drugs offences in Ireland.
In 2019, a 58‑year‑old man who had been released from prison in January after serving the non‑suspended part of a ten‑year sentence was jailed for 18 months for breaching the conditions of his suspended sentence. The man had originally been convicted of raping his ex‑partner on 9 August 2013, an offence that involved a hatchet, threats of death and cutting the victim's hair. He had been required to participate in the "Better Lives" sex‑offender treatment programme while in custody, but his assessors found he had not achieved the necessary level of participation or insight into his crime. The Central Criminal Court, presided over by Justice Paul McDermott, revoked part of the three‑year suspended sentence and imposed a substitute 18‑month term, with the final 18 months suspended on the offender's own bond to keep the peace. The judge noted the man's high degree of violence and the need for a proportionate response. The unnamed 58-year-old pleaded guilty.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing, a 36‑year‑old Cork man was convicted of raping his neighbour on 17 April 2017 after she asked him to leave her home. The jury found him guilty of the single rape charge. Judge Tony Hunt noted that the victim's hospitality was abused and that the man claimed a relationship that the victim denied. He highlighted that the offence was aggravated by the location and the use of force beyond what would be required for non‑consensual activity. The sentence was eight and a half years' imprisonment, with the final 12 months suspended on strict conditions, including compliance with Probation Service directions for 12 months after release. The man had 43 prior convictions, including assault, theft and traffic offences. The victim's impact statement described lasting fear and distress following the assault. The court did not consider any subsequent actions or appeals.
Dean Howe, 34, of Oakfield Place, Dublin 8, was returned for trial to the Special Criminal Court on a charge of conspiring to murder Gary Hanley. The DPP applied for the transfer, arguing ordinary courts were inadequate, and the order was granted by Mr Justice Tony Hunt, sitting with Judges Martin Nolan and Ann Ryan. Howe is the fifth person charged in the alleged plot. At the same hearing, Alan Wilson, 40, of New Street Gardens, Dublin 8, was sentenced to six years after admitting to conspiring with Luke Wilson and others to murder Mr Hanley between September 15 and November 6, 2017. Joseph Kelly, 39, of Kilworth Road, Drimnagh, Dublin 12, was also jailed for six years for admitting to the same conspiracy. Kelly received a concurrent 12-year sentence for pleading guilty to possessing a 9mm Beretta semi-automatic pistol with intent to endanger life at Philipsburgh Avenue, Marino, Dublin 3, on November 6, 2017. Previously, Luke Wilson, 23, of Cremona Road, Ballyfermot, Dublin 10, was sentenced to 11 years for unlawful possession of a Beretta handgun with intent to endanger life at Philipsburgh Avenue, Fairview, Dublin 3, on the same date. Wilson also received a concurrent six-year sentence for admitting to conspiring to murder Mr Hanley. All sentences for Kelly and Wilson were ordered to run concurrently.
Alan Wilson, aged 40, was sentenced by the Special Criminal Court to six years' imprisonment, back‑dated to 6 November 2017, for conspiring to murder Gary Hanley. Wilson's role involved planning the attack, instructing co‑accused Joseph Kelly and Luke Wilson on routes, vehicle destruction and the method of killing. Wilson also received a six‑year concurrent sentence for conspiracy to murder and a 12‑year sentence for possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life, the latter suspended for three years. Joseph Kelly, aged 39, received a six‑year concurrent sentence for conspiracy to murder and a 12‑year sentence for firearm possession, with 18 months suspended for a period of three years. The sentences were imposed concurrently and back‑dated to the date of Kelly's initial custody. The court noted Wilson's early guilty plea and lack of prior convictions as mitigating factors. The judge highlighted the Gardaí's intervention as preventing the planned murder.
In July 2018, Gary Kelly, a 41‑year‑old plumber for Dublin City Council, pleaded guilty to threatening to kill two colleagues, John Maher and Brian Fitzpatrick, by saying he would "get a bullet" on them. The threats were made in January 2018 while Kelly was experiencing severe mental health problems, including depression and psychosis, and he believed he was being followed by drones and ISIS. Gardaí arrested him at his home, where his wife had expressed concern about his mental health. After a probation report was presented, Judge Melanie Greally sentenced Kelly to a fully suspended three‑year term, citing the seriousness of the threats and the lasting impact on the victims. The sentence was suspended on the condition that Kelly remain in good behaviour, attend all mental‑health appointments, and have no contact with the victims or their families for three years.
A 39-year-old man has been sentenced to nine years imprisonment at the Central Criminal Court for the manslaughter of his housemate in Ballyjamesduff, County Cavan on New Year's Day 2018. Tomasz Paszkiewicz was convicted by jury of fatally stabbing Marek Swider, aged 40, with a boning knife following a dispute over money lost in a poker game. The defendant was cleared of murder but found guilty of manslaughter. Justice Tara Burns noted Paszkiewicz's expertise with the blade from his employment at a meat factory and identified the killing as falling within the serious category of such offences. She imposed a headline sentence of thirteen years, reducing it to nine years in consideration of his guilty plea, remorse, cooperation with gardaí, and personal circumstances. Paszkiewicz expressed sincere apology to the deceased's family and his own. The victim died from two stab wounds to the chest and abdomen. The unnamed 39-year-old pleaded not guilty.
In a fast‑track commercial court case, Irish Life Assurance PLC has sued Arcadia Group Ltd over a 1987 lease for a Cork City property at 101 Patrick Street. The lease, worth €650,000 annually, is set to expire in 2022. Arcadia, which entered a Company Voluntary Arrangement (CVA) in the UK, claims the lease was terminated on 12 June 2019 as part of that CVA. Irish Life disputes this, asserting the lease remains in force and that rent from July of the current year to the lease's expiry is €1.95 million. Irish Life seeks declarations that the lease continues, that the CVA‑based termination is not recognised in Ireland, and orders for specific performance, payment of outstanding rent, and damages. The case was admitted to the Commercial Court by Mr Justice Robert Haughton, with a week's adjournment pending a decision on whether the dispute should be heard in Ireland or the High Court of England and Wales.
Patrick O'Driscoll, aged 21, was convicted by a Central Criminal Court jury in Cork of raping a sleeping woman on 10 May 2016 while her boyfriend slept beside her. The victim, who remains anonymous, stated that the assault occurred from behind and that she tried to wake her boyfriend, leading to a confrontation. O'Driscoll denied the charge, claiming he had been invited to sleep in the bed, a claim refuted by the boyfriend. He was arrested for a public order offence before the full extent of the incident was known. O'Driscoll, who has 37 prior district‑court convictions, was sentenced to ten years, reduced to seven years by the judge to account for mitigating factors such as his young age and personal circumstances. He remains in custody. The court noted no restriction on publishing his identity but advised caution in reporting the location. The victim's impact statement described lasting emotional harm, nightmares, and feelings of shame and anger.
Molly Sloyan, 26, from Kinsale, Co Cork, had her 10‑year prison sentence for participation in a cocaine "factory" cut in half by the Court of Appeal. She had pleaded guilty at Cork Circuit Criminal Court to possession of cocaine for sale or supply at Seascape, Dromleigh, Bantry, on 26 November 2017. The original sentence, imposed by Judge Seán Ó Donnabháin, was 10 years with the final three years suspended, after the court described the operation as a sophisticated system of extracting cocaine from fabric imported from Brazil. Sloyan admitted renting a house on Airbnb, hiring a car and buying chemicals used in the extraction. The Court of Appeal found the headline sentence "simply too high" and re‑sentenced her to five years with the final 18 months suspended.
Wesley Purse, a 41‑year‑old Welshman, was found cultivating 112 cannabis plants in County Tipperary while he was supposed to be serving a 12‑year sentence in the UK. He pleaded guilty to possession and cultivation of €42,000 worth of cannabis at Rossadrehid on 3 May 2017. The Clonmel Circuit Criminal Court sentenced him to five years' imprisonment on 29 June 2018, a sentence upheld by the Court of Appeal on 22 July 2019. In the appeal hearing, Justice Máire Whelan noted that Purse had initially given a false name to Gardaí and claimed coercion by a gang in Cork, but the claim was undermined by the fact that the name was an alias he used elsewhere. She highlighted that Purse had 92 prior convictions, including 13 drug offences, and that he committed the offence while he was supposed to be in prison in the UK.
Tomasz Paszkiewicz, 39, was remanded in custody at the Central Criminal Court following a trial where he was found not guilty of murder but guilty of the manslaughter of Marek Swider. The jury reached a majority verdict after nearly five hours of deliberation. Paszkiewicz had pleaded not guilty to murder and guilty to manslaughter regarding the death of his housemate, who died of two stab wounds inflicted with a boning knife on January 1, 2018, in Ballyjamesduff, Co Cavan. Prosecutors argued the case involved high culpability, citing the use of a lethal weapon, lack of provocation, and the accused's failure to assist the victim. Defence counsel urged the court to view it as a medium-culpability case, highlighting Paszkiewicz's remorse, lack of prior convictions, and cooperation with gardai. Paszkiewicz testified that he was ashamed and that human life is priceless. Ms Justice Tara Burns adjourned the matter, stating she will pass sentence on Thursday next.
Douglas Byrne, 47, of Clondalkin, pleaded guilty to handling stolen property and possession of scissors at Rolestown Garda Station on 18 August 2018. He was found by gardaí in a highly intoxicated state, fled, was arrested, and searched. A large amount of money, €1,731.50, was discovered in his underwear and identified as belonging to Far East Chinese Restaurant on Ballyfermot Road. Byrne had 120 previous convictions, including burglary, theft and drug offences. He was charged with burglary of the restaurant but pleaded not guilty and the charge was dropped. Judge Melaine Greally sentenced him to three years' imprisonment, suspending the final 12 months on strict conditions. The sentence was backdated to 28 August, when he first entered custody for the matter. The court noted Byrne's long history of drug addiction and prior convictions as mitigating factors.
Paul Beatty, 32, of Eugene Street, Dublin 8, was arrested on 2 June 2018 with a loaded .38 special calibre Smith & Wesson revolver wrapped in a plastic bag and five rounds of ammunition. He had previously served a seven‑year sentence in 2010 for possession of a firearm and ammunition in suspicious circumstances. The Special Criminal Court, presided over by Mr Justice Tony Hunt, found that Beatty's conduct was "clearly intended" to evade Gardaí and that he was an "important and trusted member" of an organised crime gang. The judge imposed a headline sentence of ten years, reduced by 25 % for his early guilty plea, and ultimately sentenced Beatty to seven and a half years' imprisonment, back‑dated to the date of his arrest. The sentence reflects the gravity of the offence and Beatty's extensive criminal history, including 71 prior convictions. The court noted that no further mitigation was appropriate for a repeat offender.
The Special Criminal Court heard sentencing submissions for Alan Wilson and Joseph Kelly, who are accused of conspiring to murder Gary Hanley and possessing a 9mm Beretta pistol with intent to endanger life. Both men pleaded guilty to the conspiracy charge, while Kelly also admitted to the firearm possession. The court heard evidence of secret recordings where Wilson instructed Kelly to kill Hanley, and surveillance of reconnaissance trips to plan the attack. Wilson, who has no prior convictions, expressed remorse in a letter to the court, while Kelly, who has 64 previous convictions, cited drug addiction and a difficult background as mitigating factors. Mr Justice Tony Hunt, presiding with Judges Martin Nolan and Ann Ryan, remanded both defendants in custody until July 29, when they will be sentenced. The matter was adjourned and is not yet concluded. Luke Wilson, Alan Wilson's nephew, was previously sentenced to 11 years for the same firearm charge and a concurrent six years for the conspiracy.
Noel Ryan, 42, of Charleville Mall, Dublin, was sentenced to four years in prison, with the final year suspended, after pleading guilty to handling a stolen Toyota Land Cruiser, deceiving a victim at Woodie's car park in Lucan on 27 June 2016, and unlawfully taking a Ford Fiesta from Northside Shopping Centre, Coolock on 24 March 2017. The judge noted that Ryan had committed similar offences before and that the victims suffered significant losses. Ryan admitted to selling the stolen Land Cruiser on DoneDeal for €11,600 after the buyer had paid cash, and later stealing a Ford Fiesta that had been advertised on the same site. He was also found in possession of the victim's driver's licence, which he had altered. Ryan has 16 prior convictions, including burglary and robbery, and has struggled with a crack cocaine addiction. He has been on bail during these offences.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, Joyce Conlon, 35, was sentenced to two and a half years' imprisonment for an unprovoked assault on an eight‑week‑pregnant woman. Conlon, who suffers from paranoia and psychosis, kicked the victim in the stomach with her shoe, causing bleeding that led to a Caesarean delivery at 30 weeks. The judge described the attack as "reprehensible" and inferred a racial motive, noting the victim's Somali background and Conlon's remark about "black" something. Conlon pleaded guilty to assault causing harm and to an attempted robbery at Boyle's Sports, for which she received a separate sentence of three and a half years with the final 12 months suspended, to run concurrently with the assault sentence. The court acknowledged Conlon's mental condition and drug use but accepted her remorse and potential for rehabilitation.
Anthony Moore, a 53‑year‑old retired soldier who served 25 years in the Defence Forces, withdrew a High Court claim against the State. He had alleged that the anti‑malaria drug Larium (mefloquine hydrochloride) prescribed to him during deployments in Liberia (2005‑2006) and Chad (2008) caused severe mental and physical health problems, including pain, stomach cramps, hallucinations, sleep deprivation and family difficulties. Moore's action, which began in late June, was directed at the Minister for Defence, Ireland, and the Attorney General, who denied negligence. After discussions with Mr John Gordon SC, Moore informed Justice David Keane that the case would be struck out, the action withdrawn, and no costs order made. The State had argued the claim should be struck out due to Moore's delay in bringing the action.
A meat factory worker was convicted of manslaughter but acquitted of murder at the Central Criminal Court following a trial in July 2019. Tomasz Paszkiewicz had pleaded guilty to manslaughter and not guilty to murder in connection with the death of Marek Swider on Dublin Street, Ballyjamesduff, County Cavan on 1 January 2018. The court heard that Paszkiewicz stabbed the 40-year-old Polish man twice with a boning knife after a dispute during a New Year's Eve poker game at their shared home. The accused had lost several hundred euros and attempted to reclaim the money. A witness testified that Swider returned to the living room holding his stomach, stating he had been stabbed. Swider died following surgery. The defence argued that Paszkiewicz's statements to gardaí indicated lack of intent, while the prosecution characterised the killing as deliberate and brutal. The jury deliberated for almost five hours before reaching a majority verdict. Justice Tara Burns remanded Paszkiewicz in custody pending sentencing on 15 July.
A 39-year-old meat factory worker has pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter following the death of his housemate in Ballyjamesduff, County Cavan, on New Year's Day 2018. The Central Criminal Court heard that Tomasz Paszkiewicz stabbed his poker opponent twice in the upper body after losing hundreds of euro in a game on New Year's Eve. The accused told gardai he obtained the knife from his kitchen, though he claimed to have no clear recollection of the incident or his actions. A witness testified that the deceased came inside holding his stomach, stating he had been stabbed and requesting an ambulance. Paszkiewicz said he took responsibility for the killing but did not decide to stab the man. The prosecution closed its case on Tuesday, with the defence indicating it would not call evidence. Closing speeches are scheduled for Wednesday morning before Justice Tara Burns and the jury.
A murder trial at the Central Criminal Court heard that the accused man handed himself in to gardaí in Cork on 3 January 2018, three days after the fatal stabbing of his housemate in Ballyjamesduff, Co Cavan. Garda Razvan Ghetau testified that when the man entered Anglesea Garda Station stating he had killed his friend, the officer initially believed it was a jest. The witness said the accused repeated his statement and appeared serious, with his hands positioned as though requesting arrest. Inspector John Callinan outlined the subsequent interviews conducted in Cavan. The accused, Tomasz Paszkiewicz (39), explained he had worked at a meat processing facility since 2009, boning cattle heads. When shown a knife recovered from the scene bearing his employee number, he identified it as his work knife, which he had brought home a year prior. Questioned about his knife proficiency, he acknowledged developing considerable skill over nine years. Mr Paszkiewicz has pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter in relation to the death of Marek Swider (40).
In a Central Criminal Court ruling, Mr Justice Paul McDermott fined journalist Niall O'Connor €2,500 after he inadvertently named one of the boys convicted of Ana Kriegel's murder during a live Red FM interview. The station was fined €10,000. O'Connor, who was a guest on the Neil Prendeville show the morning after the convictions, apologized unreservedly, stating the slip was a mistake and not intentional. The DPP's Brendan Grehan noted that the boys, aged 14, could not be identified, and the court had taken care to refer to them as Boy A and Boy B. The judge imposed the fine or a three‑month prison term if unpaid, and the broadcaster was ordered to pay within three months. The case highlighted the court's protection of minors and the broadcaster's subsequent implementation of a seven‑second delay to prevent future incidents.
A man has admitted fatally stabbing his housemate following a dispute over a poker game on New Year's Eve at their home in Ballyjamesduff, County Cavan. Tomasz Paszkiewicz, aged 39, is charged with the murder of Marek Swider, aged 40, on January 1, 2018, at Dublin Street. He has pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter. The Central Criminal Court heard that both men, originally from Poland, were playing cards for money when a row erupted over winnings approaching €500. Paszkiewicz subsequently invited Swider outside and stabbed him twice with a knife used at his workplace in a meat processing facility. The prosecution must prove the accused's intention to kill or cause serious injury. A witness present that evening testified the men had been good friends with no previous conflict. The trial before Ms Justice Tara Burns continues.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing, a contempt of court motion was authorised after journalist Niall O'Connor allegedly named one of the two boys convicted of Ana Kriegel's murder on a Cork radio show. Brendan Grehan SC, representing the Director of Public Prosecutions, informed Mr Justice Michael White that the matter arose from an interview on the Neil Prendeville show on Red FM on the morning of June 19, the day after the jury's verdicts. The boys, aged 14, were found guilty of murdering 14‑year‑old Ana Kriegel at an abandoned farmhouse in Lucan on 14 May last year, and one was also convicted of aggravated sexual assault. The identities of the boys are protected under the Children Act and a court order by Mr Justice Paul McDermott. Mr Grehan presented a redacted transcript showing the journalist naming one boy twice before being cut off.
Thomas Healy, 46, of Upper Fair Hill, Cork, pleaded guilty to burglary of a residential apartment at Mount Vernon, Belgrave Avenue, Wellington Road, Cork, on 21 July 2017. He was sentenced on 15 February 2018 to five years' imprisonment, with the final year suspended, by Judge Brian O'Callaghan. The Court of Appeal upheld the sentence. Judge Patrick McCarthy, in a three‑judge panel, noted that Healy entered the apartment with another man while the resident was absent, stole 70 cents, and used socks from the home as gloves to avoid detection. He had 67 prior convictions, including two burglary convictions in the Circuit Court. The Court of Appeal found no error in the sentencing decision and dismissed the appeal. The case was heard by Mr Justice McCarthy, Mr Justice George Birmingham and Mr Justice John Edwards.
Anthony Moynihan, 54, of Croccane, Rostellan, Midleton, was sentenced in his absence to seven years in prison for raping and sexually assaulting an 11‑year‑old boy, Dylan Higgins, over a period from September 2006 to June 2008. Moynihan pleaded guilty to two counts of anal rape and two counts of sexual assault. Higgins, who was 11 and 12 at the time of the assaults, had previously waived his anonymity and delivered a victim impact statement in court, urging other abuse victims to come forward. The court noted Higgins had attempted suicide twice and had lost his mother in 2016. Moynihan had earlier convictions for assaulting two young girls in 2008 and 2009, for which he received suspended sentences. He was brought into court after a warrant was executed and was remanded to prison by Mr Justice Michael White, who also mentioned Moynihan's throat cancer as a mitigating factor.
A retired 53‑year‑old soldier, Anthony Moore, appeared before the High Court to claim that he should never have been prescribed the anti‑malaria drug Larium (mefloquine hydrochloride) while serving overseas. Moore, who served 25 years in the Defence Forces, says he was deployed to Liberia in 2005‑2006 and Chad in 2008, and that after his deployment to Liberia he began to suffer physical pain, stomach cramps, hallucinations and sleep deprivation, which he attributes to the drug. He also alleges that his family life was affected. Moore has brought a personal injuries damages claim against the Minister for Defence and the Attorney General, alleging negligence and a failure to take reasonable precautions. The defendants deny the claims and argue the action should be struck out, citing Moore's delay.
Peter Sheridan, 52, pleaded guilty in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to damaging property and theft after smashing the windows of ten cars with a hammer in the Dublin 8 area on 8 June 2017. Gardaí received a call about a broken‑in car from which a Sat Nav was stolen in Dean Swift Square, and CCTV footage showed a man in a dark hoodie using a shatter hammer. The investigation revealed ten cars damaged, with total damage of €3,000. Sheridan admitted he had broken into the cars while heavily intoxicated, claiming he could not remember the act. He had 88 prior convictions, including arson, theft, criminal damage and escape from lawful custody. Judge Pauline Codd, noting the aggravating factor of the number of cars and Sheridan's criminal history, sentenced him to two and a half years imprisonment, fully suspended for three years on the condition that he obey all directions of the Probation Service and remain alcohol‑free.
A 54‑year‑old Corkman, Anthony Moynihan, was sentenced in his absence to seven years' imprisonment for raping and sexually assaulting an 11‑year‑old boy, Dylan Higgins, over a two‑year period. Moynihan pleaded guilty to two counts of anal rape and two counts of sexual assault between September 2006 and June 2008. He failed to attend the sentencing hearing at the Central Criminal Court, prompting a bench warrant for his arrest. The court noted Moynihan's prior convictions for sexual assault of two young girls in 2008 and 2009, for which he received suspended sentences. Moynihan's counsel highlighted his throat cancer and the fact that he had made full admissions early on. The judge praised Higgins for his victim impact statement and urged other abuse victims to come forward. The sentencing hearing took place on 21 June 2019.
A 22‑year‑old Cork man was sentenced to ten years' imprisonment, with the final two years suspended, for repeatedly raping and sexually assaulting his cousin from the ages of five to nine. The offences, committed between 1 November 2011 and 26 June 2016, included rape, oral rape, anal rape and sexual assault. The judge described the abuse as "particularly severe and horrendous" and noted its devastating impact on the girl and her family. The man pleaded guilty to six charges and received credit for his plea, though the judge set a headline sentence of fourteen years before reducing it. He has no prior convictions. The court ordered him to participate in the Better Lives sex offenders' programme while in prison and to comply with Probation Service directions for two years after release. The case was heard at the Central Criminal Court.
Philip Douglas, 31, of Monlea Grove, Firhouse, Dublin, was sentenced at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court after pleading guilty to possession for sale or supply of cocaine at his address and a property in Saggart on October 10, 2017. Prosecution evidence indicated that gardaí discovered a significant quantity of cocaine, bulking agent, weighing scales, a hydraulic press, and large blocks of white powder at the Saggart location. Additionally, three bags of MDMA were found at Douglas's residence. The total value of the seized drugs was assessed at €122,340. Douglas admitted to pressing and wrapping the cocaine on instructions to settle a personal debt. Judge Cormac Quinn described the operation as a sophisticated "coke processing plant" but noted that Douglas was not the mastermind and was acting under fear or threat. The judge acknowledged that Douglas is now drug-free and had returned from Australia to care for his cancer-stricken mother. Douglas, who has five previous convictions, received a four-and-a-half-year prison sentence. The judge suspended the final 18 months of this term on the condition that Douglas engages with addiction treatment services. The matter was concluded with this sentencing order.
A 12‑year‑old girl told the court she wants her cousin, a 22‑year‑old man, to be named in the case because she believes he is in the wrong. Prosecutor Alice Fawsitt informed the judge that the DPP advised that naming him would not be in the child's best interest, citing potential complications and the small community context. The man pleaded guilty to six charges, including rape, oral rape, anal rape and sexual assault, committed between 2011 and 2016. He was remanded in custody and a substantial custodial element was anticipated. The judge acknowledged the girl's anger and courage but declined to name the accused, citing a duty to protect the injured party's identity. The mother delivered a victim impact statement describing the abuse, its effects on the family, and her daughter's ongoing trauma. The defendant's defence highlighted remorse and a willingness to engage in treatment. The case remains pending sentencing.
During sentencing at the Central Criminal Court, 23‑year‑old Dylan Higgins read a victim impact statement after Anthony Moynihan pleaded guilty to two counts of anal rape and two counts of sexual assault. Higgins, who was 11 and 12 at the time, described how Moynihan lured him to his home, offered cigarettes, and raped him twice between 2006 and 2008. He recounted the first assault, the disposal of his blood‑stained underwear, and the second assault where Moynihan pretended to apply cream before raping him. Higgins urged other abuse victims to come forward, saying it may save lives, and expressed relief that Moynihan had pleaded guilty. The judge remanded Moynihan on continuing bail and adjourned sentencing to June 21, noting his medical reports on cancer treatment for consideration before any custodial decision.
Andrew Shannon, 54, was convicted on 31 January 2014 for handling a stolen Frederick Goodall oil painting, a 1892 desert scene taken from Bantry House in Cork in March 2006. Gardaí searched his Dublin home in 2014, finding the painting valued at about €5,000. He was found guilty by jury after a two‑day trial and sentenced to two years' imprisonment by Judge Patricia Ryan in November 2014. Shannon appealed, arguing that evidence from his 2006 arrest over John Speed maps from Tinakilly House was improperly introduced to link him to the Bantry House theft. The Court of Appeal rejected this ground, stating the Gardaí had no suspicion of him in relation to Bantry House and that the evidence was admissible. The appeal was dismissed by Justice Isobel Kennedy, with the case heard by Justices George Birmingham and Patrick McCarthy.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, Serena O'Leary, 44, was granted a 12‑month probation bond and will be sentenced in June 2020. She pleaded guilty to assaulting Caroline Madden on 20 August 2016, after a confrontation at a mutual friend's house. O'Leary, who had previously been in a relationship that involved drug use and homelessness, produced a nine‑inch blade and threatened Madden, who managed to stop the stabbing attempt. O'Leary punched Madden in the face and continued to threaten her until Madden's brother intervened. The court noted O'Leary's nine prior convictions and her recent efforts to stabilise herself in Cork. Judge Melanie Greally ordered O'Leary to comply with probation directions, including drug counselling, accommodation and employment services, and adjourned sentencing to 10 June 2020. The knife did not inflict injuries, and the victim reported regaining confidence and normalcy.
A farmer from County Galway has given evidence at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court in the trial of a man charged with money laundering and related offences. The witness told the court that he had sought assistance in securing a €15 million loan to restructure substantial debts accrued through land purchases. He said he paid €28,000 to obtain purported proof of funds, but later received a fictitious letter from Irish Nationwide Bank bearing the signature of Simon Magnier, falsely confirming he and his father held over €961,000 in an account. The witness stated they had never banked with Irish Nationwide and the loan did not materialise. Simon Gold, aged 54, from Aughavas, County Leitrim, has pleaded not guilty to 22 charges including money laundering, theft, deception and control of false instruments alleged to have occurred between January 2010 and October 2012. The trial continues.
Gangland criminal Alan Wilson, aged 39, pleaded guilty before the Special Criminal Court to conspiring to murder Gary Hanley between 15 September and 6 November 2017. Wilson admitted that he and Joseph Kelly, Liam Brannigan, Luke Wilson and others had planned the murder at a State location. The court, presided over by Mr Justice Tony Hunt with Judges Martin Nolan and Patricia Ryan, remanded Wilson in custody until 15 July, when he will be sentenced together with Kelly. Wilson's co‑accused, Joseph Kelly (35), also admitted conspiracy to murder Hanley and pleaded guilty to possession of a 9mm Beretta pistol with intent to endanger life on 6 November 2017. Luke Wilson (23) had previously been sentenced to 11 years for unlawful possession of a Beretta handgun with intent to endanger life on the same date. Liam Brannigan (37) remains charged with conspiracy to murder Hanley, with a trial set for 7 October.