Court archive
Court reports mentioning Carndonagh, Donegal
2026-01-19 · Dublin
Darragh Quigley (26) was sentenced at the sentence hearing for the attempted murder of Gretta McCullough (64) on November 16, 2023, at Chatham Row, Dublin 2. Quigley pleaded guilty to the charge, having admitted to the offence. The court found him not guilty by reason of insanity, as expert psychiatric evidence concluded he did not meet the legal criteria for that verdict despite suffering from schizophrenia and drug-induced psychosis. Mr Justice Paul Burns described the attack as totally unprovoked and random, noting Quigley had travelled to the city centre with a plan to hunt someone. The judge set a headline sentence of 14 years and six months. In mitigation, the court considered Quigley's guilty plea, his expression of remorse, and his lack of previous convictions. Quigley was sentenced to 13 years in prison, with the final year suspended for a period of five years. The sentence was backdated to November 17, 2023. The judge recommended a psychiatric assessment two months prior to release to determine if secure medical treatment is required. The matter was concluded with this sentencing order.
2025-12-16 · Dublin
Darragh Quigley, 26, of Carndonagh Road, Donaghmede, pleaded guilty to the attempted murder of Gretta McCullough, 64, on November 16, 2023, at Chatham Row, Dublin 2. At the sentence hearing in the Central Criminal Court, the court heard that Quigley followed Ms McCullough and her husband from the Powerscourt Centre before striking her from behind with a seven-inch knife. The blade passed through the back of her head, entering on the left and exiting on the right. Ms McCullough, who was watching the Christmas lights switch-on, removed the knife herself and handed it to her husband. She described the attack as random and unprovoked, stating it permanently altered her sense of safety. Quigley, who has no previous convictions but a history of mental health issues, told gardai the act was random and he had gone into town with a knife. Defence counsel Padraig Dwyer SC submitted that Quigley had ceased taking his antipsychotic medication and suffered from bipolar affective disorder. Mr Justice Paul Burns described the incident as a truly shocking and extremely serious offence. He remanded Quigley in custody today until January 19, when he will be sentenced.
2025-11-10 · Dublin
A 26-year-old man from north Dublin has pleaded guilty at the Central Criminal Court to attempted murder. Darragh Quigley of Carndonagh Road, Donaghmede, admitted the charge relating to an incident on Chatham Row, Dublin 2 on November 16, 2023. Mr Justice Paul McDermott adjourned proceedings to December 16 for the hearing of evidence and a victim impact statement. The case carries connections to Carndonagh in County Donegal through the defendant's address registration.
2022-02-02 · Dublin
A man convicted of his role in a rental deposit scam affecting six potential tenants in Dublin has been ordered to complete community service rather than face imprisonment. Robert Long, with an address in Carndonagh, County Donegal, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to six counts of theft and two counts of deception relating to offences committed between July and August 2017. The scheme involved advertising a Dublin apartment on Daft.ie under false pretences, with victims paying deposits after meeting a man using a false name. Long acted as the sitting tenant during viewings, though gardaí established he was not the primary instigator and did not financially benefit. The court heard nearly €11,000 was obtained from the victims. Judge Melanie Greally imposed 240 hours of community service to be completed within eighteen months, in lieu of a two-year custodial sentence. Long had brought €10,700 to court for victim compensation, with one outstanding payment expected within three months or to be redirected to a homeless charity.
2021-12-02 · Dublin
Stephen O'Connor of Carndonagh, Dublin, has had his wholly suspended sentence upheld by the Court of Appeal. O'Connor pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of firearms contrary to the Firearms Act 1964 following the discovery of two loaded semi-automatic pistols stored inside a Henry Hoover at his address in September 2019. At Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, Judge Elma Sheahan imposed a four-year sentence, suspended in full, citing O'Connor's lack of previous convictions, mental health difficulties, and vulnerability to exploitation by a criminal figure. The Director of Public Prosecutions appealed on grounds of undue leniency, arguing the sentence should not have been entirely suspended. The three-judge Court of Appeal panel, led by President Mr Justice George Birmingham, rejected this application. The court found the decision to fully suspend the sentence was exceptional and appropriate given the extent of O'Connor's mental health problems, including serious suicide attempts following the deaths of two brothers.
2021-10-22 · Dublin
The Director of Public Prosecutions has appealed a suspended sentence imposed on a man convicted of unlawful possession of firearms at the Court of Appeal in Dublin. Stephen O'Connor, aged 45, of Carndonagh, was handed a four-year suspended sentence in May by Dublin Circuit Criminal Court after pleading guilty to storing two loaded semi-automatic pistols concealed within a vacuum cleaner at his home on 7 September 2019. The State argues the suspension should not have been imposed in full, though it does not challenge the four-year term itself. The trial judge heard that O'Connor, who has no previous convictions, agreed to conceal the weapons when approached by a criminal associate during a period of gangland activity in Dublin. His legal counsel submitted that he was exceptionally vulnerable at the time, suffering serious mental health difficulties and previous suicide attempts, and had been exploited. The Court of Appeal, presided over by Mr Justice George Birmingham, reserved judgement, describing the case as very serious.
2021-07-05 · Dublin
A man from Carndonagh, County Donegal, has pleaded guilty to involvement in a rental deposit fraud at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. Robert Long, aged 32, admitted six counts of theft and two counts of deception relating to a scheme that defrauded six prospective tenants of approximately €11,000 between July and August 2017. The scam centred on an apartment at Longboat Quay, Grand Canal Dock, which Long did not have authority to rent. He acted as the sitting tenant while an unidentified accomplice, known to victims as Jack Lyndsey, posed as the landlord and collected deposits from people who responded to online advertisements. Long has no previous convictions and made €10,700 available to fully compensate the victims. Judge Melanie Greally accepted that Long was not the primary instigator and derived no financial benefit from the enterprise. Sentencing has been adjourned to October 29th pending a Probation Service report and assessment for suitability for community service. Long was remanded on continuing bail.
2021-05-10 · Dublin
A 45-year-old man from Carndonagh has received a suspended sentence at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court after pleading guilty to unlawful possession of firearms. Stephen O'Connor was convicted of holding two semi-automatic pistols and ammunition concealed in a Henry Hoover vacuum cleaner at his home on 7 September 2019. During sentencing, the court heard that O'Connor, described as vulnerable and struggling with mental health difficulties, had been approached repeatedly by a criminal acquaintance and agreed to store the weapons to "get them off his back". A search of a van behind his residence uncovered the loaded handguns, which were found to be in working order. Judge Elma Sheahan imposed a four-year sentence, suspended in full for four years, subject to strict conditions. The judge acknowledged O'Connor's vulnerabilities and lack of previous convictions while noting the offence occurred during significant gangland activity in Dublin. He was ordered to sever all contact with persons involved in criminal activity.
2018-02-23 · Dublin
A man has been sentenced to two years' imprisonment at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court following a burglary at Carndonagh Park, Donaghmede, Dublin, in June 2017. Mark O'Mahony (33) of St Donagh's Road, Donaghmede, pleaded guilty to burglary and to possessing property belonging to another person found at the scene. The court heard that the householder discovered O'Mahony asleep in his kitchen armchair in the early morning and retained him until gardaí arrived. O'Mahony, who was in an exceptionally intoxicated state, had also taken approximately €100 in cash from a bag in the kitchen. Judge Martin Nolan noted the non-violent nature of the offence and described the burglary as inept. The sentence was backdated to June of the previous year when O'Mahony entered custody. The defendant has eighty-six previous convictions.
2016-06-20 · Donegal
Julian Cuddihy, 43, was committed to the Central Mental Hospital in Dundrum for inpatient care following a trial at the Central Criminal Court. He was accused of murdering his parents, Kathleen (73) and James (77), at their home in Churchtown, Carndonagh, Co Donegal, on October 22, 2014. Cuddihy pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity, and a jury delivered a unanimous verdict after less than an hour of deliberation. Ms Justice Margaret Heneghan ordered his committal based on a report by Consultant Forensic Psychiatrist Dr Sally Lenihan, who assessed Cuddihy as suffering from paranoid schizophrenia requiring care available only at the designated centre. The court found he was suffering from a mental disorder under the 2006 Criminal Law (Insanity) Act. Evidence presented at trial detailed Cuddihy's deteriorating mental health, including paranoid delusions involving aliens and the belief that his mother was poisoning him. He reportedly believed killing his parents would send them to heaven. The State Pathologist confirmed multiple axe wounds to the victims' heads and stab wounds to James Cuddihy. The judge expressed deepest sympathies to the family, who conducted themselves appropriately during the difficult proceedings.
2016-06-09 · Donegal
A man from Carndonagh, County Donegal, has been found not guilty by reason of insanity of the murder of his parents at their home on October 22, 2014. Julian Cuddihy (43) faced two charges at the Central Criminal Court following the deaths of his mother Kathleen (73) and father James (77). The trial heard expert evidence from two consultant forensic psychiatrists who testified that Mr Cuddihy's severe mental illness prevented him from knowing his actions were wrong and rendered him unable to stop himself. The jury deliberated for forty minutes before returning unanimous verdicts on both counts. Justice Margaret Heneghan committed Mr Cuddihy to the Central Mental Hospital in Dundrum for ongoing assessment and treatment. His family released a statement expressing their grief and urging other families to seek timely professional help for relatives experiencing mental health concerns. A follow-up court hearing was scheduled for June 20.
2016-06-08 · Donegal
A man charged with the murder of his parents in Carndonagh, County Donegal in October 2014 has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity at the Central Criminal Court. Evidence heard today indicated that Julian Cuddihy's family had sought psychiatric intervention in the weeks preceding the deaths of Kathleen and James Cuddihy. A detective garda from Buncrana told the court that the accused's father had cancelled a mental health appointment six days before the incident. Consultant psychiatrist Dr Damian Mohan testified that the accused's parents held concerns about stigma and forced hospitalisation. The court heard that the accused experienced severe delusions, including beliefs about poisoning, alien abduction, and voices commanding him to harm family members. State pathologist evidence detailed multiple head wounds inflicted with an axe and additional stab wounds. The trial continues before Justice Margaret Heneghan and jury.
2016-06-07 · Donegal
Julian Cuddihy, 44, pleaded not guilty to two counts of murder by reason of insanity at the Central Criminal Court. He is charged with killing his mother, Kathleen Cuddihy, 73, and his father, James Cuddihy, 77, at their home in Churchtown, Carndonagh, Co Donegal, on October 22, 2014. Defence counsel Brendan Grehan SC stated that Cuddihy admits to the killings and accepts the facts outlined by gardai. Prosecution counsel Denis Vaughan Buckley SC told the jury that two psychiatrists would testify that Cuddihy, a paranoid schizophrenic, suffered from delusions at the time. Dr Damian Mohan will evidence that Cuddihy believed his mother commanded him to kill her and held a grudge related to his desire to join the IRA. Dr Fiona Toal will state that Cuddihy believed he was facilitating their entry to heaven and felt compelled by voices. Both doctors concluded his mental illness prevented him from stopping the act. Detective Garda Bernard Mullins responded to a 999 call from Cuddihy's brother, who found the victims dead. State Pathologist Professor Marie Cassidy concluded both died from head trauma. The trial continues before Justice Margaret Heneghan and a jury of 12.
2016-02-29 · Donegal
A 43-year-old man from Carndonagh in County Donegal has been sent forward for trial at the Central Criminal Court on charges of murdering his parents. Julian Cuddihy of Churchtown faces two counts of murder in relation to the deaths of his father, aged 77, and his mother, aged 73, at their home in Carndonagh on or around 22 October 2014. Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy fixed the trial date for 7 June 2016. Cuddihy remains in custody pending trial.
2013-12-17 · Dublin
A man from Donaghmede was convicted of using threatening and abusive behaviour towards gardai at a County Dublin beach in July 2013. Anthony O'Connor, aged 24, was part of a group consuming alcohol at Portmarnock Beach on 8 July when gardai requested he surrender the cans. He became abusive to both members of an garda síochána and members of the public during the interaction. O'Connor, who works as a student fitness instructor and has nineteen previous convictions, pleaded guilty to the charge at Swords District Court. Judge Dermot Dempsey imposed a community service sentence of 200 hours as an alternative to one month's imprisonment. His defence solicitor indicated O'Connor had struggled with excessive drinking and apologised for his conduct during the incident.