Court archive
Court reports mentioning Burnfoot, Donegal
2026-07-20 · Donegal
An Algerian national, Mohamed Hallam, has been jailed for six years for a violent predatory sexual attack on a young woman in Donegal. Hallam, who moved to Ireland in 2023, was convicted of sexual assault, assault causing harm, and non-fatal strangulation. The victim, who was heavily intoxicated, was attacked in a dark alleyway after meeting Hallam in a nightclub. She described being choked, pinned down, and sexually assaulted. The court heard that she had bruises and a possible bite mark on her stomach. Hallam initially denied the charges but later accepted the jury's verdict. The judge reduced the headline sentences due to mitigating factors, including Hallam's acceptance of guilt. The victim's impact statement detailed the lasting trauma she experienced. Hallam was ordered to undergo post-release supervision and engage in psychological counselling and a sex offender treatment programme.
2022-03-14 · Donegal
Two men have had their convictions for rape upheld by the Court of Appeal. Boakye Osei, formerly of Burnfoot in County Donegal, and Kelvin Opoku, formerly of Letterkenny, were each sentenced to nine years' imprisonment in March 2020 following their conviction at the Central Criminal Court for the rape of a woman in February 2015. The appellants challenged their convictions on three grounds: that the trial judge should have discharged the jury following questioning about the complainant's alcohol consumption, that video-link evidence should not have been permitted, and that mobile phone material had not been adequately disclosed to the defence. The Court of Appeal, presided over by Mr Justice George Birmingham alongside Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy and Ms Justice Isobel Kennedy, rejected all grounds of appeal. The court found the trial judge's rulings on disclosure, video evidence, and witness questioning to have been proper and appropriate. The judges concluded they were not persuaded the trial was unfair or the verdicts unsafe. Boakye Osei pleaded not guilty. Kelvin Opoku pleaded not guilty.
2021-11-25 · Donegal
Two men convicted of rape have appealed their convictions at the Court of Appeal, arguing the trial judge erred in questioning a witness about the complainant's level of intoxication. Boakye Osei, formerly of Burnfoot, County Donegal, and Kelvin Opoku, formerly of Letterkenny, County Donegal, were found guilty by jury at the Central Criminal Court and sentenced to nine years imprisonment in March 2020. Their counsel submitted that the judge's direct question regarding the complainant's alcohol consumption was inappropriate in a case where capacity to consent was central to the prosecution case, and that the jury should have been discharged. Defence teams also raised concerns regarding incomplete disclosure of mobile phone material prior to trial and the complainant's use of video-link evidence rather than attending court in person. The Director of Public Prosecutions countered that the judge's question was minor and within judicial discretion, and that the disclosure matter was straightforward. Judgment has been reserved. Boakye Osei pleaded not guilty. Kelvin Opoku pleaded not guilty.
2020-03-23 · Donegal
Two men were jailed for nine years at the Central Criminal Court following their conviction for rape. Boakye Osei, aged 30, of Tooban, Burnfoot, and Kelvin Opoku, aged 33, of Letterkenny, County Donegal, had pleaded not guilty but were found guilty by unanimous jury verdict in late 2019 after a five-week trial. The offence occurred in February 2015 when the men invited a woman back to an apartment after encountering her while she was walking home from a nightclub. The court heard the woman was severely intoxicated and incapacitated. Evidence including video footage and forensic analysis demonstrated that both men engaged in sexual activity with her without consent. Justice Alex Owens noted that whilst he accepted the men had not predetermined the assault, they were fully aware of her incapacity and exploited it. He recommended Opoku's deportation upon sentence completion and ordered both men undergo four years post-release supervision. Opoku's defence argued his client held an incorrect understanding of consent, whilst Osei's defence emphasised his family circumstances.
2019-11-06 · Donegal
A jury at the Central Criminal Court has convicted two men of raping a woman in County Donegal in February 2015. Boakye Osei, aged 29, of Tooban, Burnfoot, and Kelvin Opoku, aged 33, of Cill Graine, Letterkenny, pleaded not guilty to two counts of rape. Following a five-week trial, the jury returned unanimous guilty verdicts after deliberating for just over two hours. The court heard that the men met the woman and her friend after a night out and invited them to their flat. The complainant, now in her twenties, testified she was extremely intoxicated and unable to consent to any sexual activity. Mr Justice Alex Owens certified both men as sex offenders and ordered a Probation Service report and victim impact statement. He remanded them in custody pending sentencing on 13 January 2020.
2019-07-30 · Donegal
Gardaí in Buncrana, Co Donegal have been unable to locate a financial advisor accused of misappropriating investor funds, the High Court heard on Tuesday. James Doherty, who traded as Demvera Capital Partners, faces contempt allegations following his failure to comply with court orders to return €159,000 advanced by Jamie Murphy for investment purposes in 2017. Ms Justice Leonie Reynolds previously froze Mr Doherty's assets and those of two related companies. The court was told that gardaí have conducted extensive searches at multiple addresses linked to Mr Doherty but found no trace of him. Enquiries established he is not in receipt of social welfare and has had no recent contact with family or acquaintances. Gardaí are aware he may be driving a grey BMW 518 Saloon with a 141 Donegal registration. The judge adjourned proceedings until such time as Mr Doherty can be located and brought before the court to answer the contempt allegation.
2019-07-05 · Dublin
A High Court judge has requested an update from An Garda Síochána regarding efforts to locate a financial advisor accused of misappropriating investor funds and breaching court orders. Ms Justice Leonie Reynolds made the request on Friday concerning James Doherty, believed to be in the United Kingdom but thought to return to Ireland intermittently. The court has previously issued orders freezing Mr Doherty's assets and those of two related companies over an alleged failure to return €159,000 advanced as an investment. Judgement for that sum was granted in favour of Jamie Murphy, who claims Mr Doherty, trading as Demvera Capital Partners, used the money for personal purposes rather than the intended investment in a care company. Mr Doherty has not attended court proceedings nor complied with orders to disclose his assets. A related company is registered at Burnfoot Business Park in County Donegal. The case was adjourned for two weeks, with the judge indicating gardaí may provide their update either in person or by sworn statement.
2019-05-13 · Donegal
Elizabeth Crumlish, a 66-year-old member of the Irish Travelling Community, has brought High Court judicial review proceedings against Donegal County Council. Ms Crumlish challenges the Council's decision to suspend her from its housing allocation list for one year. The Council alleges she refused two reasonable offers of accommodation, a provision under its 2011 Housing Allocation Scheme. Ms Crumlish, represented by Nora Ni Loinsigh BL and instructed by FLAC, contends the offers were unreasonable as they consisted of single-bedroomed houses in Letterkenny, far from the Bridgend or Burnfoot areas where she sought Traveller Specific Accommodation on a halting site. She seeks an order quashing the suspension, along with declarations that the decision was made without lawful authority, resulted from unlawful fettering of statutory discretion, was irrational, and failed to vindicate her constitutional and European Convention on Human Rights. Mr Justice Seamus Noonan granted permission to bring the challenge on an ex-parte basis. The matter was adjourned and made returnable to a date in July.
2019-02-07 · Dublin
The High Court has granted a judgement of €159,000 against a financial advisor in relation to alleged misappropriation of investor funds. Ms Justice Leonie Reynolds made the order in favour of Mr Jamie Murphy, who alleges that Mr James Doherty, trading as Demvera Capital Partners, failed to return money advanced as an investment in 2017. Mr Murphy claims the funds were intended for investment in a care company but were used for personal purposes instead. Freezing orders against Mr Doherty and related entities, with addresses in Dublin and Burnfoot, Co Donegal, were secured in December. The judge also ruled that Mr Doherty, who is understood to be in the United Kingdom, be attached by An Garda Síochána and brought before the High Court to address allegations of contempt of court. Mr Doherty had not complied with court orders to provide asset details and did not attend proceedings or retain legal representation. He is to be brought back before the court within one week.
2018-12-20 · Dublin
The High Court has granted freezing orders against a financial advisor and two associated companies following allegations that approximately €159,000 advanced as an investment was misappropriated. Ms Justice Leonie Reynolds made the orders in favour of Mr Jamie Murphy, who claims Mr James Doherty, trading as Demvera Capital Partners, used funds transferred in 2017 for personal purposes rather than investing them in a disability care company as agreed. The injunctions, also made against Demvera Trust unlimited Company, prevent the defendants from reducing assets below €159,000, including sums held in bank accounts in Dublin and Donegal. The court heard that despite requests for return of the investment, Mr Doherty has provided only excuses and assurances without repaying the money. Mr Doherty's whereabouts are currently unknown, though believed to be in the United Kingdom. The matter will return to court in January.
2018-12-18 · Dublin
A Dublin man has sought freezing orders from the High Court against a financial advisor and two associated companies over the alleged non-return of €159,000 advanced as an investment in 2017. Jamie Murphy claims that James Doherty, operating as Demvera Capital Partners with a registered address in Dublin 4, misappropriated funds intended for investment in a disability home-care firm. One of the defendant companies, Demvera Trust unlimited Company, is registered at Burnfoot Business Park in County Donegal. Murphy contends the money, drawn from a trust fund and personal savings, was never invested as agreed. Efforts to recover the funds have been unsuccessful, with arranged meetings cancelled by Doherty, who cited ill health. Murphy's private investigator has been unable to locate Doherty, believed to be in the UK. Doherty does not appear on any registered accountancy body roll in Ireland, Northern Ireland, or the UK. Ms Justice Leonie Reynolds granted permission on an ex-parte basis to serve short notice of proceedings. The matter will return to court later that week.