Court archive
Court reports mentioning Derry
2026-07-08 · Donegal
Seamus O'Hara, a 78-year-old man from Limavady, Derry, was sentenced at the Central Criminal Court to concurrent terms totalling ten years imprisonment. In March, a jury convicted him of one count of rape and 35 counts of indecent assault of a child, who was aged between six and 12, at his former family home in Donegal between 1976 and 1983. Mr Justice Paul Burns described the conduct as a "prolonged and orchestrated campaign of sexual abuse" involving grooming-type behaviour. During the sentencing, O'Hara turned to the victim and said, "shame on you," remarks the judge dismissed, stating O'Hara was the one who should be ashamed. The judge noted the severe, lasting impact on the victim, including isolation and mental health issues, while acknowledging the delay in the proceedings. In mitigation, the court considered O'Hara's age, health, and work history. O'Hara has previous convictions in Ireland and Northern Ireland for offences including assault, drink driving, and possession of a firearm. His defence counsel, James McGowan SC, stated O'Hara does not accept the verdict and requested to serve his sentence closer to Derry. The matter was finalised with the imposition of the ten-year custodial sentence.
2026-03-16 · Donegal
The Court of Appeal upheld a decision to extradite John Edward McNicholl and Seamus Christopher O'Kane to Northern Ireland over offences linked to the 1975 murder of RUC Constable Robert John McPherson and an attempted murder. The court rejected arguments that delay, alleged abuse of process, ordinary life in the Republic or health concerns justified refusing surrender. It placed a stay on the extraditions to allow the men to ask the Supreme Court to hear their cases.
2025-11-24 · Derry
The High Court has ordered the surrender of James Meehan to Northern Ireland. Mr Justice Paul McDermott ruled there was no basis to refuse the extradition, which was sought under the Trade and Co-operation Agreement. Meehan, 56, was arrested by gardai in August following warrants issued after he failed to return to Magilligan prison in Derry while on day release in December 2024. He was sentenced in 2009 to life imprisonment, with a minimum of 14 years to be served, for the murder of Jim McFadden in May 2007. A second warrant seeks to prosecute him in Northern Ireland for being unlawfully at large, an offence carrying a potential sentence of up to two years. Meehan will remain on bail while arrangements are made for his surrender. Defence counsel Brian Storan BL had requested a delay to allow authorities to consider transferring his sentence to the Republic, noting Meehan's 2017 application was withdrawn by Northern Ireland authorities in 2022. However, the judge rejected the argument that Meehan could unilaterally initiate a transfer. Meehan, who previously had addresses in Derry City and Headfort Grove, Kells, Co Meath, was previously extradited to Northern Ireland less than two years ago after being described as unlawfully at large.
2025-10-30 · Meath
James Meehan, 56, a convicted murderer sentenced to life with a 14‑year minimum for the 2007 murder of Jim McFadden, fled from Magilligan prison in Derry during a day‑release in December 2024 and was arrested by Gardaí in August 2025 on extradition warrants issued under the Trade and Co‑operation Agreement. He had previously been extradited to Northern Ireland after being described as unlawfully at large. In 2017 he applied to transfer his life sentence from the North to the Republic, a request he reiterated in court. Defence counsel Brian Storan argued that Meehan's temporary release was granted by both Irish and Northern Irish authorities and that he sought a stay on the surrender to allow authorities to consider his transfer application. Judge Paul McDermott adjourned the case to 14 November to allow the defence to present evidence of correspondence regarding the transfer request.
2025-10-17 · Donegal
Two men sought by United Kingdom authorities on charges connected to a 1975 RUC shooting have argued before the Court of Appeal that decades-long delays in pursuing their extradition amount to an abuse of process. John Edward McNicholl, aged 73, of Newmills, Letterkenny, County Donegal, and Seamus Christopher O'Kane, aged 74, of Scalestown, County Meath, face charges relating to the investigation into the murder of Constable Robert John McPherson in County Derry on 26 July 1975 and an attempted murder. Both men escaped from the Maze Prison in May 1976 before trial. The High Court previously ruled in their favour regarding delay grounds was insufficient to refuse surrender, though noting some periods of inaction by authorities. At appeal, counsel for both men contended the nearly 50-year delay constituted an abuse of process, with prosecution decisions dating to 1976. The Minister for Justice's representative characterised the case as fundamentally one of delay rather than abuse of process. The three-judge court reserved judgement.
2025-09-10 · Meath
James Meehan, a convicted murderer, appeared in the High Court where Ms Justice Caroline Biggs set October 23 for an extradition hearing. Meehan, 55, was arrested by gardai earlier this month under extradition warrants issued under the Trade and Co-operation Agreement after allegedly failing to return to Magilligan prison in Derry during day release in December 2024. He was sentenced in 2009 to life imprisonment, with a minimum of 14 years to be served, for the murder of Jim McFadden in May 2007. Meehan, who previously had addresses in Derry City and Headfort Grove, Kells, Co Meath, is alleged to have gone on the run for the second time in three years. In December 2023, the High Court found clear evidence that the terms of his release had been breached and ordered his surrender to Northern Ireland. Counsel for the State indicated that two matters regarding Meehan could be dealt with in approximately one hour each, potentially allowing the case to be heard in one day. Ms Justice Biggs ordered that all submissions be provided by the respondent one week prior to the hearing date. She further ruled that Meehan will be remanded on continued bail until October 23. The matter was adjourned to that date for the extradition proceedings.
2025-06-04 · Derry
Two men in their 70s have been granted leave to appeal their extradition to Northern Ireland on charges connected to the 1975 murder of an RUC officer. At the High Court, Mr Justice Patrick McGrath ruled that while authorities had provided detailed explanation for the delay in seeking their surrender, this was incomplete and included lengthy periods of inaction. John Edward McNicholl, of Newmills, Letterkenny, County Donegal, and Seamus Christopher O'Kane, of Scalestown, County Meath, face charges arising from the investigation into the death of Constable Robert John McPherson, shot in an ambush in County Derry on 26 July 1975. Both men escaped from the Maze Prison in May 1976 before trial. The judge certified questions for the Court of Appeal regarding whether the 48-year delay constituted abuse of process and whether the omission to seek surrender for all original offences was an abuse of process. Both men were remanded on continuing bail pending further hearing.
2025-03-20 · Derry
Two men in their seventies will be extradited to Northern Ireland to face charges relating to the 1975 murder of an RUC officer, the High Court has ruled. John Edward McNicholl, aged 73, of Newmills, Letterkenny, County Donegal, and Seamus Christopher O'Kane, aged 74, of County Meath, had argued their surrender would constitute an abuse of process due to the substantial delay in seeking their extradition. Mr Justice Patrick McGrath rejected both applications, finding no evidence to suggest either man would be denied a fair trial in Northern Ireland. McNicholl and O'Kane face charges arising from the investigation into the death of Constable Robert John McPherson, shot dead in County Derry on 26 July 1975. Both men escaped from the Maze Prison in May 1976 before trial proceedings commenced. The matter was adjourned to 3 April, with both men remanded on continuing bail pending their surrender.
2024-10-24 · Donegal
The High Court has heard arguments regarding the extradition of John Edward McNicholl and Seamus Christopher O'Kane to the UK, where they face charges related to the 1975 murder of Constable Robert John McPherson in Co Derry. Mr McNicholl is alleged to have murdered the constable and attempted to murder a second officer, while Mr O'Kane is charged with possession of firearms, including an RUC-issued weapon recovered during the ambush. Defense counsel argued that the extradition proceedings are oppressive and constitute an abuse of process, citing a nearly 50-year delay in seeking surrender. They contended that the pursuit of the men, initiated days before the UK's Legacy Act came into force, breached their rights under the European Convention on Human Rights and was driven by a change in the political climate. The State, represented by Remy Farrell SC, countered that arguments regarding abuse of process by Northern Irish prosecutors are matters for the courts in Northern Ireland, not the Dublin High Court. The court was told that previous extradition requests were refused on political grounds under the 1965 Act, but subsequent legislation removed such refusals. Mr Justice Pat McGrath deferred judgement and adjourned the matter to December 16.
2024-06-20 · Derry
A 44-year-old man from Derry has been ordered surrendered to UK authorities by the High Court in Dublin following an extradition hearing. Stephen Andrew McLaughlin faces extradition for breaching the terms of his release after serving a sentence for human trafficking conspiracy. He was convicted in 2015 of conspiracy to facilitate illegal entry into Britain in a scheme involving Afghan migrants, one of whom died during transport in 2014. UK authorities are also pursuing charges against McLaughlin in Northern Ireland, including attempted murder, making a threat to kill, criminal damage and assault, allegations arising from an incident in September 2022. Mr Justice Patrick McGrath determined that the UK and Northern Irish matters were substantially more serious than domestic charges pending before Buncrana District Court and proceeded with the extradition order. McLaughlin has been remanded in custody pending his surrender within 25 days.
2024-06-19 · Donegal
Two men resident in the Republic are contesting extradition proceedings at the High Court in connection with charges arising from the 1975 murder of an RUC constable in County Derry. John Edward McNicholl, aged 72, of Newmills, Letterkenny, and Seamus Christopher O'Kane, aged 73, of Scalestown, County Meath, face allegations relating to the death of Constable Robert John McPherson on 26 July 1975 and the attempted murder of a second officer. McNicholl is charged with murder and attempted murder, while O'Kane faces charges of firearms possession, including a weapon taken during the incident. Legal representatives for both men indicated they will argue the extradition request constitutes an abuse of process. Counsel for McNicholl emphasised that his client has resided in Ireland since 2003, with authorities making no previous surrender attempt until this year. The High Court adjourned proceedings to 10 July to allow time for comprehensive objections to be prepared. Both men remain on bail pending further hearing.
2024-06-12 · Donegal
A 72-year-old man arrested in Letterkenny, Co Donegal, has been granted bail at the High Court following his arrest on a Northern Irish warrant. John Edward McNicholl is alleged to have murdered RUC Constable Robert John McPherson during an ambush in Dungiven, Co Derry, on 26 July 1975. He faces an additional four charges relating to the possession of explosives and firearms at Garvagh, Co Derry, on 16 February 1976. Independent TD Thomas Pringle offered to act as an independent surety for bail. The court heard that consent to bail has been given by the Minister for Justice, subject to conditions including a cash lodgement of €7,000, surrender of travel documents, and weekly sign-ons at Letterkenny Garda Station. Mr Justice Patrick McGrath approved the bail arrangements. The case will return to court on 2 and 3 July.
2024-06-12 · Meath
A 73‑year‑old Seamus Christopher O'Kane, originally from Garvagh in County Derry, was arrested in County Meath on a High Court extradition warrant issued by the Garda Extradition Unit. The warrant, endorsed under the Trade and Cooperation Agreement, relates to four offences alleged to have been committed on 16 February 1976 at Brockaghboy, Garvagh. Those offences include possession of explosive substances—two electric detonators and two improvised pressure mat switches—intended to endanger life or property, and possession of firearms and ammunition, including two Walther pistols, a Browning pistol, a 0.22 rifle, a Remington shotgun and 104 rounds of ammunition, also intended to endanger life or property. The warrant states that the items were recovered during a search of a farmhouse where O'Kane and two other men were found hiding. O'Kane was interviewed on 17 February 1976 and allegedly admitted possession of the explosives, firearms and ammunition.
2024-05-30 · Derry
Stephen Andrew McLaughlin, a 44‑year‑old from Rose Park, Limavady, was sentenced to nine years' imprisonment in 2016 for conspiring to illegally traffic Afghan migrants into the UK. The High Court heard that he supplied a lorry and shipping account for a container that carried 35 Afghan nationals, including a man who died of a heart attack, and that a second container was intercepted in France. McLaughlin denied the conspiracy charge but was convicted by a jury at Basildon Crown Court. In February 2024, a warrant was issued by Southend Magistrates Court for his arrest after he breached the terms of his licence. In January 2024, a warrant was issued by Laganside Magistrates Court in Belfast for seven alleged offences, including attempted murder. The alleged attempted murder occurred on 19 September 2022 at Ness Woods Country Park, Co.
2024-03-05 · Dublin
Ken Oman, a 41‑year‑old former League of Ireland centre‑back and Ireland U21 international, voluntarily surrendered to Northern Ireland authorities to face charges of causing a broken jaw to Cliftonville player Caoimhín Bonner during a 2016 Premiership match at Solitude. The incident, captured on TV, led to Bonner losing two front teeth and sustaining a broken upper jaw. Oman received a six‑match ban from the Irish Football Association. The warrant, issued in the Republic and endorsed by the PSNI, refers to the offence as grievous bodily harm, punishable by up to seven years' imprisonment in the UK. At the High Court, Oman confirmed he had been fully advised of his legal options and signed consent papers. The judge ordered his extradition to Northern Ireland within 20 days, noting Oman had complied with bail conditions and had engaged a solicitor in the North.
2023-12-08 · Donegal
The High Court has ordered the extradition of James Meehan, aged 54, to Northern Ireland following his refusal to stay proceedings on the matter. Meehan, with addresses in Derry City and Kells, County Meath, was convicted in 2009 of murdering Jim McFadden in Donegal in May 2007 and sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum of 14 years. He was released on temporary release in 2022 subject to strict conditions, including a curfew and residency requirements in Limavady. In October 2022, he breached these conditions by absconding. Ms Justice Melanie Greally found clear evidence of breach and rejected arguments that Meehan had served the punitive element of his sentence or was on licence rather than temporary release. The judge expressed concern about frequent bail applications following surrender orders, stating such applications would henceforth be granted only in exceptional circumstances. Meehan remains on bail for a maximum of 25 days pending surrender.
2023-11-22 · Meath
A man convicted of murder has sought a stay on extradition proceedings pending the outcome of his application to transfer his prison sentence from Northern Ireland to the Republic. James Meehan (54), with addresses in Derry City and Kells, Co Meath, was sentenced to life imprisonment in 2009 for the murder of Jim McFadden in May 2007 following an incident in Donegal. Meehan left Northern Ireland in October 2022 whilst on release conditions and later moved to Kells. He was arrested by arrangement in May this year on foot of extradition warrants. At the High Court hearing, his counsel argued that the punitive element of his sentence had been served and that determination of his sentence-transfer application, pending since 2017, should precede any extradition decision. The State's counsel contended he was unlawfully at large from temporary release and that court could not delay proceedings whilst a live prosecution existed in the North. Ms Justice Melanie Greally adjourned judgment to Friday, 8 December.
2023-05-29 · Meath
A man convicted of murder in Northern Ireland was arrested in the State on an extradition warrant following his disappearance from custody seven months earlier. James Meehan, aged 53, with addresses in Derry city and Kells, Co Meath, was sentenced to life imprisonment in 2009 for the murder of a man in Derry in 2007. He had absconded while on home leave in October 2022 and was declared unlawfully at large by the Northern Ireland Prison Service. Gardaí arrested Meehan by arrangement at a garda station in Dublin this morning. At the High Court, his defence counsel submitted that he had moved to live with his brother in Kells to work and had notified the Department of Justice of his whereabouts in December. The judge noted Meehan was living openly and had engaged with authorities. Bail was granted on condition of a €2,000 deposit, daily signing-on, provision of a mobile phone number to gardaí, and surrender of any travel documents. He was remanded to appear again on 12 June.
2023-02-20 · Derry
A 24-year-old man from County Derry has initiated a High Court judicial review challenge against the Defence Forces following the rejection of his application to join the Permanent Defence Forces. Ronan Corey, with an address in Magherafelt, was initially accepted into the PDF subject to vetting procedures and was instructed to report to Finner Camp in County Donegal to commence training. After passing all medical, fitness and vetting assessments, his enlistment offer was suspended in July and he was required to undergo re-vetting at Cathal Brugha Barracks in Dublin. In September, he was removed from the recruitment competition for failing security vetting, with no substantive reasons provided. Mr Corey contends that the decision may be linked to convictions held by his biological father during the Troubles, from whom he has been estranged since childhood. He claims this amounts to a breach of fair procedures and constitutional justice. His counsel argues that the absence of adequate reasons for the decision constitutes a procedural violation.
2020-07-10 · Derry
Sean Paul Farrell, a 32‑year‑old from Dublin, was wanted in Northern Ireland for an alleged attempted murder of a PSNI officer and possession of explosives at Eglinton, Co Derry, on 18 June 2015. He fled to the UK to avoid extradition, travelling to Scotland where he was arrested in May. A High Court hearing on 10 July 2020 addressed his extradition application. Mr Justice Paul Burns noted that a family member had posted a €25,000 bail surety and an additional €5,000, both forfeited after Farrell failed to appear for a court date. A bench warrant was issued on 2 March when he did not attend the High Court, leading to forfeiture of the bond and surety. Mr Justice Burns confirmed that Farrell is now in custody in Northern Ireland under a bench warrant for the attempted murder charge and will face trial in a Belfast court.
2020-03-05 · Dublin
Ryan Johnston, a 36‑year‑old truck driver from Cedar Grove, Magherafelt, was found carrying €166,720 in cash in a blue canvas bag in the cab of his tractor unit. He was arrested after a Garda surveillance operation and pleaded guilty to possession of the cash and the proceeds of criminal conduct on 3 June 2016. Johnston had six prior convictions in Northern Ireland, mainly for road traffic offences, and made no admissions during his interview. His defence lawyer, Justin McQuade, argued that Johnston was a valued member of his business, was embarrassed and ashamed, and that the offence was a one‑off transgression committed recklessly. Judge Melanie Greally, noting Johnston's respectable family background, good work record and character references, imposed a three and a half year sentence, suspending the final 18 months, and jailed him for two years. The sentence reflected the seriousness of money laundering and the need for deterrence in the haulage trade.
2019-02-08 · Dublin
Kevin Braney, the Dublin leader of the New IRA, was convicted of murder for the killing of dissident republican Peter Butterly. The New IRA, formed in 2012 from remnants of the Real IRA, Republican Action Against Drugs, former Provisional IRA activists and criminal elements, is regarded by the gardai and PSNI as the biggest terrorist threat in Ireland. Braney's conviction followed extensive garda operations involving the Special Detective Unit, Garda Security and Intelligence and the National Surveillance Unit (NSU). NSU members observed Braney's movements before, during and after the murder, and provided evidence in court, though the public were excluded from the proceedings. Braney was also convicted of IRA membership in 2022 and is serving a four‑year sentence in Portlaoise Prison. The New IRA remains a primary target of Garda Security and Intelligence, with about 50 active members and several hundred sympathisers across the island.
2018-05-30 · Westmeath
Two peat extraction companies have sought permission to appeal High Court decisions rejecting their challenges to An Bord Pleanála determinations that their operations are no longer exempt development. Bulrush Horticulture Ltd and Westland Horticulture Ltd, alongside Westmeath Peat Ltd and Cavan Peat Ltd, were rejected by Mr Justice Charles Meenan in February after the Board found their activities required planning permission from September 2012 onwards. The companies argue the cases raise points of exceptional public importance with significant implications for the peat industry. Key issues centre on whether environmental impact assessments apply to peat extraction and whether EU directives on environmental and habitat protection apply to operations that lawfully commenced as exempt development before 2012. An Bord Pleanála opposes the applications. Mr Justice Meenan reserved his decision on permitting appeals to the Court of Appeal following submissions from all parties.
2017-11-28 · Derry
Stephen Cahoon, aged 44, was found guilty of murdering his ex‑girlfriend Jean Teresa Quigley, aged 30, who was ten weeks pregnant with his child. The murder took place on 26 July 2008 at Cornshell Fields, Derry. Cahoon admitted strangling Quigley but denied it was murder, claiming it occurred after consensual sex and that she was still alive when he left her home. He did not call an ambulance. The jury at the Central Criminal Court in Dublin unanimously convicted him and he received a mandatory life sentence in December 2015. The appeal focused on the admissibility of witness statements under Section 16 of the Criminal Justice Act 2006. Judge Alan Mahon upheld the conviction, finding the trial judge's decision to admit the statements correct and the jury instructions fair. Cahoon was not present at the hearing.
2017-10-03 · Derry
Stephen Cahoon, aged 44, was found guilty of murdering his pregnant ex‑girlfriend Jean Teresa Quigley, aged 30, who was 10 weeks pregnant when strangled at Cornshell Fields in Derry on 26 July 2008. Cahoon denied the murder. He was first tried in the Central Criminal Court in Dublin, where a hung jury failed to reach a verdict. In April 2012 he was again found guilty, but the conviction was overturned because the judge's instruction on provocation was incorrect. A retrial in December 2015 resulted in a unanimous conviction. Cahoon now appeals the conviction, arguing that a witness's Section 16 statement was admitted without proper consideration of a threat from police officers and that the statement's reliability was compromised. The appeal is pending, and the court has reserved judgment. The case is notable for being the first murder in Northern Ireland tried in the Republic under the Criminal Law Jurisdiction Act 1976.
2017-05-16 · Ireland
High Court proceedings were heard on Tuesday regarding a dispute over Ballycommon Bog in Co Offaly. The applicants, comprising the Eclipse Marine Retirement Benefit Scheme, the EJ Godwin (Peat Industries) Ltd director's pension scheme, Richard Bond, Andrew Rowland, and Bulrush Horticulture Ltd, claim exclusive ownership and occupation of the land since 1995. They allege that William Dunne and Mark Dunne have unlawfully trespassed and carried out detrimental works on the bogland. The Dunnes counter-claim to own a one-eighth share of the land, which they state they purchased for €100, and intend to apply for registration under the 1964 Registration of Title Act. The applicants refute these claims, asserting they have held the freehold interest to the exclusion of all others for over 22 years. Represented by Frank Crean BL, the applicants sought injunctions restraining the Dunnes from entering or interfering with the land, declarations confirming the pension schemes' ownership and Bulrush Horticulture's leasehold rights, and damages for alleged unlawful interference. Counsel noted that the Dunnes' activities have excluded Bulrush from lands it lawfully possesses, impacting its four full-time employees. Although the dispute had previously been pending before the Circuit Court, the matter was deemed urgent. Mr Justice Paul Gilligan granted permission to serve short notice of the proceedings on the Dunnes on an ex-parte basis and made the matter returnable to a date later this week.
2016-02-05 · Derry
Stephen Cahoon, aged 43, was given an extension to file an appeal against his most recent murder conviction. He had been convicted twice for the murder of his pregnant ex‑girlfriend Jean Teresa Quigley, who was strangled at Cornshell Fields in Derry on 26 July 2008. The first trial ended with no verdict, the second trial on 30 April 2012 resulted in a unanimous guilty verdict by a jury of seven women and five men, and he was sentenced to life imprisonment by Mr Justice Barry White. Cahoon successfully appealed that conviction, arguing the trial judge had misdirected the jury on the defence of provocation. He was tried a third time, found guilty again, and sentenced to life imprisonment by Ms Justice Deirdre Murphy on 3 December.
2015-12-08 · Derry
In a High Court hearing, developer Thomas McFeely, aged 67, was accused by Official Assignee Chris Lehane of refusing to provide basic information required under his bankruptcy proceedings, including his actual residence and details of significant assets. Lehane sought to extend McFeely's bankruptcy period by five years, the maximum allowed, citing McFeely's alleged "non‑co‑operation of the most serious kind" and failure to disclose assets such as apartments in Clondalkin and the Old Saw Mills in Dublin. McFeely's counsel, Vincent P. Martin, argued that the requested extension would be oppressive and disproportionate, noting that McFeely had not been found to have stolen from the estate. The case was adjourned to a January hearing for further submissions from both parties. The judge, Ms Justice Caroline Costello, had not yet ruled on the application. The proceedings remain ongoing.
2015-12-03 · Donegal
A jury at the Central Criminal Court unanimously found Stephen Cahoon guilty of murder on 3 December following his third trial over six years. Cahoon, aged 43, from Derry, was convicted of strangling his pregnant ex-girlfriend Jean Teresa Quigley at Cornshell Fields in Derry on 26 July 2008. Ms Quigley, aged 30 and ten weeks pregnant with Cahoon's child, was discovered dead at her home by her mother. Cahoon had admitted killing Ms Quigley but denied murder, claiming loss of self-control. The prosecution presented evidence of forced entry, defensive injuries, and bruising inconsistent with Cahoon's account. The jury deliberated for three hours and forty-three minutes before reaching their verdict. Justice Deirdre Murphy sentenced Cahoon to life imprisonment, backdated to his arrest on 5 August 2008. This conviction follows a previous guilty verdict in 2012, which was quashed on appeal due to judicial misdirection regarding provocation. Cahoon became the first person tried in the Republic under the Criminal Law Jurisdiction Act 1976 for a murder committed in Northern Ireland.
2015-07-21 · Wicklow
In July 2015 the High Court resolved a dispute between Bray Wanderers Ltd and three former associates. Mr Justice Paul Gilligan had granted temporary injunctions against Mr John Deering, Paul Lennon and former goalkeeper Darren Quigley, preventing them from trespassing on the club's Carlisle Grounds, misrepresenting themselves as directors, calling official meetings or publishing official‑looking material. The injunction was withdrawn after the defendants offered undertakings: they would not trespass without prior arrangement, would not publish official‑looking information, would not misrepresent themselves as directors or claim to act in an official capacity, and would not call official meetings. Mr Deering also agreed to delete data he had accessed from the club's email and website systems. The parties agreed to amend the Companies Registration Office filings that had purportedly removed four directors and appointed Mr Deering. The court left open the possibility of future proceedings if necessary.
2015-07-20 · Derry
Stephen Cahoon, aged 42, was convicted of murdering his pregnant ex‑girlfriend Jean Teresa Quigley, aged 30, in 2012 and sentenced to life imprisonment. His conviction was quashed in March 2015 by the Court of Appeal after a judge misdirected the jury on the defence of provocation. The Court ordered a retrial, and Cahoon's lawyers appealed to avoid a third trial. The Court of Appeal, led by Mr Justice Seán Ryan, upheld the quashing, citing the seriousness of the alleged murder and the need to determine whether Quigley was murdered or the victim of manslaughter. Cahoon had served nearly ten years in prison before the quashing. The retrial was scheduled for October 27, 2015, with Cahoon remaining in custody. The case is notable for being the first under the 1976 Criminal Law Jurisdiction Act to be tried before a jury in the Republic of Ireland.
2015-05-21 · Derry
Stephen Cahoon, a 42-year-old man from Derry, Northern Ireland, is seeking to prevent a second retrial for the alleged murder of his pregnant ex-girlfriend, Jean Teresa Quigley. Cahoon admitted strangling Quigley in 2008 but denied the charge of murder. His initial conviction was quashed by the Court of Appeal in March after the court found that the trial judge misdirected the jury regarding the defence of provocation. The Court of Appeal, led by President Mr Justice Seán Ryan, ruled that the judge's error was a mistake on a central point of the case, leading to the quashing of the conviction and an order for a retrial. Cahoon, who was previously sentenced to life imprisonment by Mr Justice Barry White in 2012, is now in custody. His counsel, Niall Flynn BL, argued that a third trial would be unfair given he has already served six years in custody. The Director of Public Prosecutions, represented by Patrick Marrinan SC, expressed urgency to fix a trial date but did not object to Cahoon's application. Mr Justice Garrett Sheehan fixed a hearing for July 20 to consider whether a third trial should proceed. The matter remains at the appeal stage, with the outcome of the application pending.
2015-03-04 · Derry
Stephen Cahoon, aged 42, had been sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of his pregnant ex‑girlfriend, Jean Teresa Quigley, 30, who was 10 weeks pregnant when she was strangled on 26 July 2008. The Central Criminal Court found him guilty on 30 April 2012, and Mr Justice Barry White imposed the life sentence. On 4 March 2015 the Court of Appeal quashed Cahoon's conviction, citing a misdirection by the trial judge regarding the defence of provocation. The appeal was successful because the judge's brief statement that provocation could not involve intent was deemed a mistake at a crucial point in the jury's deliberation. The Court ordered a retrial and remanded Cahoon in custody, noting that a retrial would be his third attempt after six years already served. The case was notable for being the first trial under the Criminal Law Jurisdiction Act 1976 before a jury in the Republic of Ireland.
2015-01-13 · Derry
A man convicted of murdering his pregnant ex-girlfriend is awaiting the outcome of his appeal against conviction in the Court of Appeal. Stephen Cahoon, originally from County Derry, was found guilty of strangling Jean Teresa Quigley at her home in Derry in July 2008. She was ten weeks pregnant at the time. A jury unanimously convicted him of murder in April 2012, and he received a life sentence. His appeal, heard today, centred on whether the trial judge misdirected the jury regarding the defence of provocation. Cahoon's counsel argued the judge conflated provocation with insanity by suggesting a person cannot form criminal intent when provoked. The Director of Public Prosecutions' counsel contended the trial judge's direction was correct and characterised the case as a straightforward provocation matter. The Court of Appeal indicated it would reserve its decision. Cahoon was arrested in Donegal Town ten days after the killing.
2014-11-28 · Derry
Mr Justice Nicholas Kearns adjourned an application brought by a group of men known as "the hooded men" to Monday afternoon, where the court will hold a "telescoped" hearing treating the applications to hear the full action and permission to bring the case as one. The applicants, including Kevin Hannaway, Francis McGuigan, Jim Auld, Patrick McNally, Gerard McKerr, Liam Shannon, Michael Donnell, Brian Turley, Joe Clark, Paddy Joe McClean, Tony Shivers, and Pat Shivers (deceased), seek a court order compelling the Irish Government to decide whether to apply to the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) to revise its 1978 judgment. That judgment found the sensory deprivation techniques used against them in 1971 constituted inhuman and degrading treatment but not torture. The men allege that new evidence, revealed in an RTE programme, shows the medical evidence provided to the ECHR was deliberately misleading. They argue the Government's failure to make a decision is unreasonable and contrary to constitutional and natural justice. Counsel warned that the ECHR's strict deadline for seeking revision expires on December 4th. The matter was adjourned and is not concluded. Francis McGuigan and Kevin Hannaway attended the hearing, describing the 1978 ruling as "a nonsense" and stating they remain affected by the trauma.