Court archive
Court reports mentioning Rathmullan, Donegal
2026-02-16 · Donegal
The Special Criminal Court sentenced Stephen Carberry and Glen Bride to six years in prison for assisting in the disposal of the dismembered remains of Keane Mulready Woods. Both men pleaded guilty to charges of impeding the apprehension or prosecution of the alleged murderer, Robbie Lawlor, by transporting and burning the victim's body parts in a stolen Volvo V40 in north Dublin. Ms Justice Karen O'Connor described the acts as showing "abhorrent inhumanity and disrespect." Carberry, who had a headline sentence of ten years, received a reduced term due to his guilty plea and the requirement to serve a consecutive sentence for a prior drug offence. Bride, who played a lesser role, had his nine-year headline sentence reduced to six years following his guilty plea and expressions of remorse. The court noted that neither defendant was involved in the murder itself. This sentencing follows earlier convictions in the case: Paul Crosby was jailed for ten years for facilitating the murder; Gerard Cruise received seven-and-a-half years with six months suspended for two years for the same offence; and Ged McKenna was sentenced to four years for assisting an offender by cleaning the crime scene. The court acknowledged the severe trauma suffered by the victim's family, who described the disposal of their son's remains as a "constant and unbearable torment."
2026-01-26 · Louth
The Special Criminal Court has sentenced Paul Crosby to ten years in prison for facilitating the murder of Keane Mulready-Woods. The court described the killing as "disgraceful and inhuman," noting Crosby delivered the victim to Robbie Lawlor. Co-accused Gerard Cruise, who pleaded guilty to facilitating the murder, received a sentence of seven-and-a-half years, with the final six months suspended for two years. Ged McKenna was sentenced to four years for assisting an offender by attempting to clean the crime scene at his Rathmullan Park home. In a separate matter, Glen Bride, who pleaded guilty to assisting in the movement and disposal of the victim's body parts, was not sentenced today. The court heard he acted under Lawlor's instructions to drive a stolen Volvo V40 containing remains and set it on fire. Bride's sentencing is adjourned to March 9, alongside the sentencing of Stephen Carberry, who also pleaded guilty to impeding the apprehension of the offender. The court accepted Bride was not involved in the murder itself. The matter regarding Bride and Carberry was adjourned and is not yet concluded.
2026-01-19 · Louth
Stephen Carberry, 48, pleaded guilty at the Special Criminal Court to charges of assisting an offender and facilitating the murder of Keane Mulready-Woods. He admitted to transporting and disposing of the teenager's body parts between January 13 and 15, 2020, while on bail for drug offences. The court heard victim impact statements from Keane's parents, who described the "cruelty and inhumanity" of the disposal. Carberry, who has 77 previous convictions, was alleged to have collected two sports bags from Rathmullan Park, Drogheda, and dumped one in Moatview, Dublin. His co-accused, Gerard Cruise, 51, also pleaded guilty to facilitating the murder under Section 72 of the Criminal Justice Act 2006. In February 2023, co-accused Paul Crosby was sentenced to ten years for the same offence, while Cruise received seven-and-a-half years with the final six months suspended for two years. Ms Justice O'Connor adjourned Carberry's case to Monday, March 9, for sentencing, noting the panel could not imagine the depth of the family's pain.
2025-12-01 · Dublin
Stephen Carberry, 47, pleaded guilty at the Special Criminal Court to assisting an offender by helping move and dispose of the body parts of murdered teenager Keane Mulready-Woods. The prosecution entered a nolle prosequi on two further charges against Carberry, including facilitating murder for a criminal organisation and setting fire to a vehicle. Presiding judge Ms Justice Karen O'Connor directed a victim impact statement and adjourned the matter until January 19, with Carberry remanded in custody. The court also ordered a urine analysis, a prison medic letter, and an educational report. This follows last week's guilty plea by Glen Bride, 32, to assisting in the movement and disposal of the teenager's remains. In related proceedings, Paul Crosby was jailed for ten years and Gerard Cruise for seven-and-a-half years (with six months suspended) for facilitating the murder. Ged' McKenna was previously jailed for four years for assisting in cleaning the crime scene. Keane Mulready-Woods was murdered in Drogheda in January 2020, with remains discovered in Dublin and Drogheda.
2025-11-24 · Dublin
Glen Bride, 32, of Kilbarrick, Dublin 5, pleaded guilty in the Special Criminal Court to assisting in the transportation and disposal of body parts of murdered teenager Keane Mulready-Woods. The court adjourned the matter to January 26 for sentencing. The DPP entered a nolle prosequi regarding two further charges against Bride involving criminal organisation facilitation and arson. Previously, Paul Crosby was jailed for ten years and Gerard Cruise received a seven-and-a-half-year sentence, with the final six months suspended for two years, after both pleaded guilty to facilitating the murder. Ged' McKenna was jailed for four years after pleading guilty to assisting in the clean-up of the crime scene. Bride's plea related to actions on January 15, 2020, intended to impede prosecution. The matter remains at the sentencing stage, with the specific date set for January 26.
2025-03-24 · Dublin
Stephen Carberry and Glen Bride, accused of disposing of body parts belonging to murdered teenager Keane Mulready Woods, received a trial date at the Special Criminal Court. The two men appeared before Justice Melanie Greally, who set the trial for January 12, 2026. Carberry, 47, of Dublin 4, faces three charges, including transporting and disposing of body parts to enhance a criminal organisation's ability to commit serious offences, impeding the apprehension of the murderer, and setting fire to a Volvo V40 for the benefit of a criminal organisation. Bride, 31, of Dublin 5, faces two charges: participating in the transportation and disposal of body parts to aid a criminal organisation in committing murder and impeding the apprehension of the killer, and setting fire to the same vehicle. The court agreed to make witness and exhibit orders. The matter was adjourned and will be mentioned again before the Special Criminal Court on October 6. Keane Mulready Woods was last seen alive in Drogheda on January 12, 2020, and was murdered in a house in Drogheda, Co Louth, that month. Body parts were subsequently found in Coolock, Drumcondra, and Rathmullan Park. All allegations remain unproven pending trial.
2024-08-02 · Dublin
A man charged in connection with the disposal of body parts of murdered teenager Keane Mulready-Woods has been granted legal aid by the Special Criminal Court. Stephen Carberry, 46, of Sandymount Avenue, Dublin 4, appeared before the court on Friday to receive formal notice that he will be tried before the three-judge, non-jury tribunal. He faces three charges relating to the death of the 17-year-old, who was killed in a house in Drogheda, County Louth, in January 2020. The charges allege that Mr Carberry transported and disposed of body parts between January 13 and 15, 2020, potentially to benefit a criminal organisation. He is further accused of obstructing the apprehension or prosecution of the teenager's murderer and of setting fire to a vehicle. Remains were subsequently discovered at various locations, including Rathmullan Park in Drogheda. Mr Carberry will return to court in October.
2024-07-31 · Dublin
A Dublin man is to stand trial before the Special Criminal Court in connection with the death of teenager Keane Mulready Woods. Stephen Carberry, aged 46 and residing on Sandymount Avenue, Dublin 4, faces three charges arising from the case. He is accused of transporting and disposing of body parts between January 13 and 15, 2020 at Trinity Terrace, Ballybough, Dublin 3, with the intention or recklessness of potentially enhancing a criminal organisation's ability to commit serious offences. He is also charged with obstructing the apprehension or prosecution of the teenager's murderer and with setting fire to a vehicle for the benefit of a criminal organisation. Keane Mulready Woods, aged 17, was last seen alive in Drogheda on January 12, 2020. His remains were subsequently discovered at multiple locations across Dublin and Drogheda throughout January and March 2020. Carberry will appear before the Special Criminal Court later this week.
2023-02-10 · Louth
At the Special Criminal Court on 10 February 2023, Paul Crosby of Rathmullan Park, Drogheda, was sentenced to ten years imprisonment with the final six months suspended for two years, following his guilty plea to facilitating the murder of seventeen-year-old Keane Mulready-Woods. His co-accused Gerard Cruise, with addresses in Drogheda and Dublin, received seven-and-a-half years with the final six months suspended. Both men pleaded guilty to charges under Section 72 of the Criminal Justice Act 2006 of assisting a criminal organisation in the killing, which occurred in January 2020. Mr Justice Tony Hunt described the treatment of the teenager's remains as "disgraceful and inhuman". Evidence established that Crosby arranged to meet the victim and travelled with Cruise to Rathmullan Park where the murder took place. The judge found Crosby held a higher level of involvement in the criminal organisation than Cruise. The court heard the chief suspect, Robert Lawlor, was subsequently shot dead in Belfast. The victim's mother provided a detailed impact statement to the court.
2023-01-23 · Donegal
In the Special Criminal Court, Gerard Cruise and Paul Crosby pleaded guilty to facilitating the murder of Keane Mulready-Woods in Drogheda, Co Louth, between January 11 and 13, 2020. The court heard that Cruise admitted to dropping the victim and Crosby at the murder scene, while Crosby had prior convictions including an acquittal for attempted murder. The presiding judge, Mr Justice Tony Hunt, noted that the defendants' apologies may appear empty to the victim's family given the horrific nature of the crime. The matter was adjourned to February 13 for sentencing. The report notes that Gerard McKenna was jailed last year for four years for assisting in the clean-up of the crime scene. Cruise's previous convictions include public order matters and a burglary in 1990. The court acknowledged Crosby's early guilty plea, which entitles him to a 25 percent discount on any headline sentence, and Cruise's early guilty plea. The investigation into other individuals involved in the murder remains ongoing.
2023-01-13 · Donegal
A 49-year-old Dublin man has pleaded guilty at the Special Criminal Court to facilitating the murder of teenager Keane Mulready-Woods. Gerard Cruise, with an address at Lower Sherrard Street in Dublin 1, was originally charged with the murder at a house in Rathmullan Park, County Louth, on January 12 or 13, 2020. He pleaded guilty today to participating in activities with intent to facilitate the serious offence, with knowledge of a criminal organisation's existence, contrary to Section 72 of the Criminal Justice Act 2006. The 17-year-old was last seen alive in Drogheda on January 12, 2020. His remains were discovered in various locations over subsequent months. A co-accused, Paul Crosby, pleaded guilty to the same charge last month. Mr Justice Tony Hunt remanded Cruise in custody until January 23 for sentencing.
2022-12-05 · Louth
Paul Crosby (27), from Rathmullan Park in Drogheda, Co Louth, pleaded guilty at the Special Criminal Court on December 5th to facilitating the murder of seventeen-year-old Keane Mulready-Woods. Crosby had been scheduled for trial on a murder charge but was instead arraigned on the lesser charge. The teenager was last seen alive in Drogheda on January 12th, 2020. His remains were subsequently discovered across multiple locations in Dublin between January and March 2020, with his torso found in an overgrown ravine at Rathmullan Park. Crosby's plea related to participating in activities of a criminal organisation with intent to facilitate the serious offence, contrary to the Criminal Justice Act 2006. Sentencing is scheduled for January 23rd, 2023. A co-accused, Gerard Cruise (47), remains charged with murder and indicated he would enter a similar plea at an adjournment on January 13th.
2022-04-25 · Donegal
Two men have been given a provisional trial date of January 23, 2023 at the Special Criminal Court in connection with the death of a Drogheda teenager. Paul Crosby, aged 25, of Rathmullan Park, Drogheda, County Louth, and Gerard Cruise, aged 47, with addresses in Dublin 1 and Rathmullan Park, face charges relating to an alleged murder at a house in Rathmullan Park on January 12 or 13, 2020. The trial had been scheduled to commence on April 25, but the court heard that substantial additional disclosure to the defence would be necessary before proceedings could advance. Counsel for the Director of Public Prosecutions informed the three-judge court of this requirement, and legal representatives for both defendants did not oppose the adjournment. Presiding Justice Tony Hunt fixed the new provisional date during proceedings at the non-jury court.
2022-04-07 · Louth
Two men charged with the murder of Keane Mulready Woods will not stand trial next month as gardaí continue their investigation into the teenager's death and dismemberment. The Special Criminal Court heard on Thursday that the prosecution has already disclosed some information to the defence but substantial additional disclosure would be necessary before the trial could proceed. The hearing was originally scheduled for 25 April this year. Paul Crosby, aged 25, of Rathmullan Park, Drogheda, County Louth, and Gerard Cruise, aged 47, with addresses in Dublin 1 and Rathmullan Park, face charges relating to a death alleged to have occurred at a house in Rathmullan Park on 12 or 13 January 2020. Neither man's legal representatives objected to the trial delay. The court will hear further submissions regarding timing on the originally scheduled trial date.
2022-03-08 · Louth
A man has been sentenced to four years in prison at the Central Criminal Court for cleaning up and removing blood-stained evidence from his Drogheda home where teenager Kean Mulready Woods was murdered in January 2020. Gerard McKenna, aged 52, of Rathmullen Park in Drogheda, pleaded guilty to obstructing the apprehension or prosecution of persons guilty of the murder, contrary to the Criminal Law Act 1997. Mr Justice Paul McDermott imposed a headline sentence of seven years before mitigation, reduced to five years and three months with the final fifteen months suspended. The sentence was backdated to May 2020. The judge acknowledged McKenna was not present during the killing but emphasised the seriousness of disposing of material evidence. Evidence revealed extensive blood-staining throughout the property despite attempts to clean and redecorate. The court heard McKenna had acted under threat from a dangerous criminal figure. The judge noted McKenna's guilty plea, remorse, and personal circumstances as mitigating factors.
2022-02-28 · Louth
Gerard McKenna, aged 52, of Rathmullen Park in Drogheda, County Louth, was sentenced at the Central Criminal Court following his guilty plea in November to obstructing the investigation into the murder of 17-year-old Kean Mulready Woods. The court heard that McKenna cleaned and painted his house and removed evidence after the teenager was killed there between 12 and 14 January 2020. Blood-stained items recovered from the scene and a nearby burn site included a ballistic vest, an axe, rubber gloves and part of a sofa, all bearing the victim's DNA. The Defence submitted that McKenna had surrendered his house under duress from an organised criminal group and had no prior knowledge of the murder. The prosecution outlined that despite extensive cleaning efforts, forensic evidence remained throughout the property. McKenna was not present during the killing and has seven children with his wife and one from a subsequent relationship.
2021-11-29 · Louth
A 52-year-old man from Rathmullan Park, Drogheda, has pleaded guilty at the Central Criminal Court to cleaning up and removing evidence from a murder scene. Gerard McKenna admitted to obstructing the apprehension or prosecution of another person in connection with the death of 17-year-old Kean Mulready Woods, who was killed in January 2020. The teenager's dismembered remains were discovered across Dublin in the days following his disappearance on 12 January. McKenna's guilty plea relates to actions taken between 12 and 14 January 2020 at or near his Drogheda address, with intent to impede the investigation. The offence is contrary to the Criminal Law Act 1997. Mr Justice Paul McDermott ordered psychological and probation reports before sentencing. McKenna was remanded in custody and the case listed for mention on 28 February 2022.
2021-09-07 · Dublin
The Central Criminal Court is set to resume with several high-profile matters, including the appeal of Aaron Brady. Brady, 30, was convicted by an 11-to-1 majority jury verdict for the murder of Detective Garda Adrian Donohoe in January 2013. He was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 40 years, plus a concurrent 14-year sentence for robbery. His appeal is expected in 2022. Other upcoming trials include that of Sameer Syed, 37, accused of murdering his wife Seema Banu and their two children in Rathfarnham in October 2021; his trial is scheduled for June 15, 2022. Michael Scott, 55, faces trial on January 11, 2022, for the alleged murder of Chrissie Treacy in Portumna in 2018. Stephen Silver, 44, is charged with the murder of Garda Colm Horkan in Castlerea in June 2020; his trial is also set for June 15, 2022. Additionally, an appeal by Boy B regarding the 2018 murder of Ana Kriegel is expected before the Court of Appeal. Boy B and Boy A were found guilty in 2019; both were 13 at the time, denied the offences, and were remanded to Oberstown Detention Centre.
2021-07-19 · Donegal
Two men have been scheduled to stand trial at the Special Criminal Court in April 2022 on a charge of murdering teenager Keane Mulready-Woods. Paul Crosby, aged 25, of Rathmullan Park in Drogheda, County Louth, and Gerard Cruise, aged 47, with addresses in Dublin 1 and Rathmullan Park, are accused of the killing at a house in Rathmullan Park on 12 or 13 January 2020. The trial, which is expected to last six weeks, will be heard before three judges without a jury. The teenager's dismembered remains were discovered at multiple locations in Dublin and Drogheda in January 2020, with his torso found subsequently in March 2021. A further mention of the case is scheduled for December to address disclosure matters, and legal representatives indicated a possible application for separate trials.
2021-06-18 · Donegal
Paul Crosby and Gerard Cruise, accused of murdering 17-year-old Keane Mulready-Woods, appeared at the Special Criminal Court where they were formally served with a notice confirming their trials will proceed in the non-jury court. The men are charged with the murder of Mr. Mulready-Woods at a house in Rathmullan Park, Drogheda, on 12 or 13 January 2020. Mr. Crosby, 25, of Rathmullan Park, is currently in custody, while Mr. Cruise, 47, remains on bail under terms previously set by the High Court. Mr. Justice Tony Hunt directed the accused to return to court on July 19, when a trial date may be set. The matter is at the procedural stage of trial preparation, with no plea, finding, or sentence recorded. Allegations state that Mr. Mulready-Woods was last seen alive in Drogheda on 12 January 2020. The following day, dismembered body parts were found in a sports bag in Coolock, Dublin, and two days later, further remains were discovered in a burning car in Drumcondra. The torso was located 14 months later in March 2021 during a search of waste ground at Rathmullan Park. The court proceedings described are limited to the service of the trial notice and the scheduling of a future hearing; the case has not been concluded or finalised.
2021-06-11 · Donegal
Paul Crosby and Gerard Cruise, both accused of murdering 17-year-old Keane Mulready-Woods, will stand trial at the non-jury Special Criminal Court. The Director of Public Prosecutions applied for the transfer, and Mr Justice Tony Hunt granted the request at the three-judge court. Neither accused entered a plea, and no findings or sentences were recorded at this procedural stage. The DPP alleged that Crosby, 25, of Rathmullan Park, Drogheda, and Cruise, 47, with addresses in Dublin 1 and Rathmullan Park, committed the murder at a house in Rathmullan Park between January 12 and 13, 2020. Crosby is currently in custody, while Cruise is on bail. Both men are required to attend court on June 18, though no specific trial date has been set. The matter was adjourned for that date and is not yet concluded. Background details indicate the victim was last seen alive in Drogheda on January 12, 2020. Subsequently, dismembered body parts were found in a sports bag in Coolock, Dublin, and further remains were discovered in a burning car in Drumcondra. The torso was located 14 months later in an overgrown ravine at Rathmullan Park during a search on March 11.