A 31-year-old lawyer, Daire McCormack George, who stabbed his father 27 times during a psychotic episode, has been found not guilty of murder by reason of insanity following a trial at the Central Criminal Court. The trial heard that he suffers from schizoaffective disorder, which led to a delusional belief that his father intended to harm his mother and sister. This belief prompted him to commit the act, despite his love for his father. His family, including his sister Hillary and mother Goretti, attended the trial daily, showing unwavering support. Mr. McCormack George had been diagnosed with a mental health disorder in 2018 and had responded well to treatment, but a reduction in his antipsychotic medication led to a relapse. His journal entries revealed his paranoid thoughts. During the attack, he claimed his father told him he loved him, but he continued stabbing him. The court heard that psychiatrists agreed he was not responsible for his actions due to his mental disorder.
A warm, engaging, much-loved and lovable young man', who stabbed his physically frail and housebound father to death during a psychotic episode, continues to enjoy the full love and support of his family, the Central Criminal Court heard. Detective Garda Ultan McIlroy gave evidence to the trial of Daire McCormack George that the accused's family told gardai that he had never harmed anyone nor shown any aggression prior to the attack on his father, Scott George, in December 2024. The family told gardai that Daire's mental health began to suffer in 2018. He was treated at Beaumont Hospital and appeared to respond well to medication. By the time of the stabbing, his dosage had been reduced to a very low level. A psychiatrist who diagnosed Mr McCormack George with schizoaffective disorder said the relapse of his psychosis "coincided with the reduction of medication". Mr McCormack George had developed a delusional belief that his physically frail, housebound father was going to kill the accused's mother and sister. McCormack George pleaded not guilty.
Daire McCormack George, a 31-year-old lawyer, is on trial for the murder of his father, Scott George, after stabbing him 27 times. The accused told gardai that he believed he was doing the right thing, driven by paranoid thoughts that his father would harm his mother and sister. He claimed that his father showed him family pictures and spoke about Trump and China, which triggered his actions. McCormack George pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity, with psychiatrists testifying that he was suffering from a mental disorder at the time of the killing. The court heard that the accused had a nervous breakdown and believed he was protecting his family. The trial continues with the accused's mental state being a central focus, as the prosecution argues that he intended to cause serious harm to his father.
A mentally ill man, Eoghan Peavoy, who was given a suspended sentence for harassing a barrister, has contacted her within days of his release from in-patient psychiatric care, according to court proceedings. Peavoy, who has a diagnosis of schizophrenia, was released in October 2025 but contacted the barrister with 14 emails and 21 texts, including sexually suggestive messages. The court heard that Peavoy had previously harassed the barrister for years with sexual and threatening messages, causing her significant distress. He was also before the court for breaching the conditions of his suspended sentence, which included no contact with the victim. The court is considering reactivating the suspended sentence and has requested further reports on Peavoy's mental health and availability of treatment at the Central Mental Hospital. The judge noted that Peavoy's risk of re-offending is high and that the case could not be finalised due to the need for further information. Eoghan Peavoy pleaded guilty.
A former solicitor, Daire McCormack George, has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to the murder of his father in north Dublin nearly two years ago. The accused, who previously worked at a prestigious law firm, is charged with the murder of Scott George in Balbriggan in December 2024. The Central Criminal Court heard that the accused has a history of mental health issues and that the trial will focus on psychiatric evidence and his state of mind at the time of the alleged crime. The prosecution is led by senior counsel Vincent Heneghan, while the defence is headed by Michael Bowman SC. A jury of ten men and two women was sworn in to hear the trial, which is set to begin tomorrow. The court will assess whether the accused was legally insane at the time of the murder and whether he can be held responsible for his actions.
John Eghomwanre and Faraj Odukoya were sentenced at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for their roles in the St Valentine's Day violence that resulted in the death of Quham Babatunde. Eghomwanre pleaded guilty to two counts of assault causing harm to Mr Babatunde and another man. Odukoya pleaded guilty to three counts of assault causing harm to Mr Babatunde and two other men, one count of violent disorder, and two counts of burglary committed on November 23, 2023. Judge Martin Nolan imposed a five-year prison sentence on both men, backdated to the date they entered custody. The judge noted that both defendants engaged in serious violence and that Odukoya's conduct was more serious, though he acknowledged the younger defendant's age and the opportunistic nature of the burglaries. Earlier this year, co-defendants Rory Carr and Bruno Tache were each sentenced to three years and six months for assault causing harm and violent disorder, with the final 12 months suspended on strict conditions for two years. Four other men remain before the courts in relation to the incident. The court accepted that neither Eghomwanre nor Odukoya possessed a knife during the attacks.
A 20-year-old man from Balbriggan, Co Dublin, who was involved in looting during the Dublin riots, was described as a 'follower, not a leader' in court. Faraj Odukoya pleaded guilty to two counts of burglary related to the theft of items from three shops on Mary Street and O'Connell Street. Detective Garda Aoife Farrelly explained that Odukoya was not involved in the initial breach of the stores but entered after the initial break-in and stole items, including Nike runners. The total losses to the affected shops were significant, with Footlocker O'Connell Street losing over €435,200, Mary Street Footlocker losing approximately €323,000, and Lifestyle Sports losing €313,990. Odukoya was identified through CCTV footage during the investigation in 2025, and no evidential value was obtained from his interview. The court heard that Odukoya entered an early guilty plea, and his actions were motivated by opportunism. He is currently in custody and will be sentenced next month for a separate matter. The judge noted that the court will consider the principles of totality and proportionality when determining his sentence.
The Court of Appeal has ruled that the privacy rights of Kevin Braney, a former leader of the New IRA in Dublin, were not breached when gardaí used a surveillance device to listen in on him conversing with members of a criminal gang at a KFC restaurant. Braney was found guilty of murder in February 2019 by the Special Criminal Court for the killing of dissident republican Peter Butterly in 2013. The court dismissed Braney's appeal, with Ms Justice Isobel Kennedy stating that the grounds raised were not proven. Braney's legal team had argued that gardaí did not obtain proper authorisation before using the listening device and that the recording should not have been admitted as evidence. However, the court upheld the use of the device under the Criminal Law (Surveillance) Act 2009, noting that the superintendent believed an emergency justified the action. The court also rejected arguments that the audio evidence was of insufficient quality and that the testimony of David Cullen, a former accomplice who became a witness, should have been excluded.
A Romanian national, Costel Raducan, was jailed for 11 years after being convicted of burglary, rape, and attempted anal rape. The victim described the traumatic experience of being attacked in her own home by a man who had posed as a taxi driver. Raducan broke into her home and raped her after she had been left alone. The victim had to undergo a sexual assault examination and faced significant emotional and psychological trauma. Raducan denied the charges and claimed the victim had consented to the sexual act. The judge described the case as 'the stuff of nightmares' and noted the premeditated nature of the attack. The victim's impact statement highlighted the lasting effects of the crime on her life, including fear, panic attacks, and career setbacks. The court acknowledged the severity of the crime and the need for justice for the victim.
A 48-year-old man has been jailed for two and a half years for instigating a violent attack on two men in Balbriggan. Kevin Cox pleaded guilty to a charge of violent disorder that occurred on March 31, 2024. During the incident, Cox pushed and struck one of the victims multiple times, and the second victim was punched and kicked. Both victims sustained serious injuries, with one suffering from ongoing headaches and impaired vision, and the other suffering from a knee dislocation and fractures. Cox has 16 previous convictions, most of which are from the District Court. His defence argued that most of his previous convictions were historic and that he had not come to garda attention since the incident. He expressed remorse and offered €4,000 as a token of apology. Judge Elma Sheahan noted the CCTV footage showing Cox's aggressive actions and set a headline sentence of six years, which she reduced to four years. She suspended the final 18 months for 18 months under strict conditions.
A former haulage company owner has been given a suspended sentence for writing two cheques for green diesel that failed to clear. Kenneth Browne pleaded guilty to two counts of deception in 2019. He had agreed to pay for 2,500 litres of green diesel with a cheque, but the cheque bounced. He later ordered an additional 5,000 litres, which he also paid for with a cheque that also bounced. Browne had made some repayments to the supplier but stopped when he was told he would only receive a receipt upon full repayment. He attended a voluntary interview and admitted to making poor business decisions that led to his company's bankruptcy. His defence highlighted that he had no repeat offences in the past seven years and was now employed full-time. Judge Jonathan Dunphy noted that Browne had made a dishonest decision to write the cheques and had relevant previous convictions. He set a headline sentence of two and a half years, which he reduced to 20 months in prison on each count to run concurrently.
A 22-year-old man, Wojtek Kulik, has been sentenced to two years in prison for money laundering and one year for possession of cannabis for sale or supply. Kulik received over €18,000 into his Revolut account through hundreds of transactions between January 2024 and January 2025. He was also caught with €7,272 worth of cannabis in October 2023. Kulik admitted to being an addict and said he was given €100 to deliver the cannabis to someone else. The court heard that he had a history of substance misuse since the age of 16 and that he had made full admissions. A probation report indicated that Kulik is at high risk of reoffending but is motivated to engage with services. Judge Orla Crowe noted the aggravating factor of the money laundering over a considerable period of time but took into account his guilty pleas, youth, and willingness to engage with services. She suspended the final six months of the two-year sentence on strict conditions and directed him to undergo supervision by the Probation Service for one year post-release.
At Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, Andrew Cash Senior, aged 58, of Whitechurch Heights, Rathfarnham, Dublin 16, was sentenced to two years imprisonment after pleading guilty to providing false information to Irish Passport Services. His daughter-in-law, Mary Cash, aged 35, formerly of Portlaoise, County Laois, received a fully suspended sentence of two and a half years for her involvement in the same offence, committed on 12 June 2019 at Balbriggan Passport Services office. The court heard that Cash Senior and Mary Cash assisted in obtaining a fraudulent passport application under a false name for Andrew Cash Junior, who has since fled the jurisdiction. Mary Cash travelled to Sligo using an assumed identity to acquire a birth certificate necessary for the application. Investigation revealed that a senior member of An Garda Síochána had also been implicated in stamping the false documents. Judge Roderick Maguire noted Cash Senior's 31 previous convictions but acknowledged his absence from garda attention since 2019 and efforts at self-improvement.
Dublin Circuit Criminal Court sentenced Dubliner Michael McGinley to a global term of three years for escaping from lawful custody and unlawfully using a vehicle. McGinley pleaded guilty to both charges. The court heard that on April 23, 2024, while remanded at Balbriggan Garda Station, McGinley asked to be taken out for a cigarette. He subsequently ran and cleared a six-foot perimeter wall, evading capture for two months until his arrest in Athboy, Co Meath, on June 19, 2025. He also admitted to driving a Hyundai stolen from Co Kerry on April 21, 2025. Judge Orla Crowe noted that while the escape was not pre-planned or sophisticated, McGinley hid for a significant period. Acknowledging his youth and potential for rehabilitation, the judge imposed a three-year sentence, with the final six months suspended on strict conditions. She also directed 12 months of probation supervision following his release. The sentence was backdated to June 19, 2025, when he entered custody. The matter was finalised with the imposition of this sentence.
Rory Carr (22) and Bruno Tache (21) were sentenced to three years and six months in prison for their roles in separate attacks on Quham Babatunde, who died on St Valentine's Day. Both men, who were on bail at the time, pleaded guilty to charges including assault causing harm and violent disorder. Judge Orla Crowe noted their youth, remorse, and guilty pleas, while acknowledging they had active roles in the violence across South Anne Street, Duke Lane, and Dawson Street. The judge suspended the final six months of each sentence on strict conditions for two years and ordered 12 months of Probation Services supervision post-release. Carr was directed to undergo urine analysis. Separately, Sean Forde (24) and David Oloo Omee (19) pleaded guilty to affray and assault causing harm, respectively. Their sentencing was adjourned to April pending the preparation of probation reports. Four other men are also expected to be sentenced in April. The court heard Babatunde was fatally stabbed by another man, who is charged with murder in Northern Ireland, and that Carr and Tache assaulted him after he was injured.
Robert Gaffney, 27, of Pinewood Green Road, Balbriggan, Dublin, pleaded guilty to two money-laundering charges involving a bank account and a Revolut account. The court heard that more than €44,000 moved through the accounts while he had no legitimate income. Judge Orla Crowe imposed a three-year sentence with the final six months suspended.
Patrick Maughan, 38, of St McCullen's Park, Balbriggan, Dublin, lost an appeal against a four-month sentence for handling stolen tools worth €6,120 at Balbriggan Sunday Market. The District Court Appeals Court heard he had 46 previous convictions. Judge Sarah Berkeley affirmed the original order and Maughan was taken into custody. Patrick Maughan pleaded guilty.
Bakuani Diasivi, 26, of Cardy Rock Crescent, Balbriggan, Co Dublin, pleaded guilty to affray after punching an 11-year-old boy on a Dart while on bail. Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard Diasivi had 24 previous convictions but no previous convictions for violence. Judge Orla Crowe imposed an 18-month sentence suspended on strict conditions and directed a €1,000 payment to the boy's family.
In the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, four men – Rory Carr, Bruno Tache, David Oloo Omee, and Sean Forde – pleaded guilty to various charges related to a series of violent incidents in Dublin City Centre on February 15, 2025. Carr admitted to three counts of assault causing harm to Quham Babatunde, Adetola Adetuilehim, and a third man in separate incidents, as well as charges of violent disorder and affray. Tache admitted to assault causing harm to Babatunde and another man, along with charges of violent disorder and affray. Omee and Forde admitted to charges of assaulting Adetuilehim causing harm and violent disorder, and affray, respectively. Judge Crowe directed urine analysis for Carr and adjourned the finalisation of sentence for Carr and Tache to March 10. Probation reports were ordered for Forde and Omee, and they were remanded on continuing bail to April 21. Tache was on bail for an offence of money laundering and was also subject to a suspended sentence for drug dealing. Carr was on bail for an offence of drug dealing and was also subject to a suspended sentence of two years for possession of knives from 2023. Omee was on bail for an outstanding offence at the time. The matter was adjourned and never described as concluded or finalised.
A former competitive rugby player and scholarship recipient has been jailed for 18 months after being caught with a machete on a Dublin street. Michael Ibrahim, a 21-year-old father of one from Balbriggan, pleaded guilty to possession of a machete with a sharply pointed blade on Shelbourne Road on July 2. Gardai noticed Ibrahim and another male acting suspiciously and found a broken nail scissors on Ibrahim during a search. When asked for an explanation, Ibrahim did not provide one and was arrested. During the arrest, a black machete was found concealed under his clothing. The court heard that Ibrahim has 26 previous convictions, including drug dealing. His barrister highlighted his bright prospects as a young rugby player and scholarship recipient, noting that he had fallen in with a bad crowd after an injury. The judge emphasized the seriousness of the case and the need for a custodial sentence, stating that it was fortunate the gardai had been alert. Ibrahim was sentenced to 18 months in prison.
Eoghan Peavoy, a 54-year-old Dublin man with a diagnosis of schizophrenia, pleaded guilty to harassing a female barrister and another woman. He was in custody for breaching the conditions of a suspended sentence, which included no contact with the victim. Peavoy was released from in-patient psychiatric care in October 2025 but quickly resumed contacting the barrister. His defense argued that Peavoy requires treatment at the Central Mental Hospital, but no beds are available. The court was asked to adjourn the case for further reports on Peavoy's mental health and potential support in custody. Judge Martin Nolan noted the risk of re-offending but agreed to the adjournment. Peavoy's behavior included sending hundreds of emails and letters, some with sexual content, and posting letters to the victim's workplace. The victim did not wish to make a victim impact statement and wanted to move on from the incident. The court considered Peavoy's mental health and the need for ongoing support to prevent re-offending.
A man who injured a garda by bending his finger backwards while resisting arrest five years ago has been directed to complete 240 hours of community service. Keith Daly pleaded guilty to assaulting a peace officer and possessing cannabis for sale or supply. During the incident, Daly injured a garda's finger while resisting arrest. A total of 9.6g of cannabis, valued at €192, was also found. Daly has 55 previous convictions, including for assaulting members of An Garda Siochana and drugs offences. Judge Orla Crowe noted that Daly had made considerable progress since the incident and had turned his life around. She directed Daly to complete 240 hours of community service in lieu of a two-year prison sentence. Garda Natasha McAleese testified that Daly was agitated during the incident and attempted to evade arrest. Sgt Kenny was injured during the struggle and later treated in hospital. Daly was identified through a print found on a bag of drugs. His counsel expressed remorse and apologized to Sgt Kenny for Daly's actions.
A teenager, Steadfast Akhigne, who was under the influence of a more criminally involved man, has received a suspended sentence for her role in laundering over €100,000 through invoice redirect fraud. Akhigne, 24, pleaded guilty to two charges of money laundering after allowing her bank account to be used. The fraud involved fake emails from suppliers, leading to payments being made into her account. She admitted to providing her bank card and PIN to the man, who used her account to withdraw cash and purchase high-end phones. The court acknowledged her lack of prior convictions and her remorse, noting she was under the influence of the other man. Judge Orla Crowe imposed a 12-month suspended sentence, emphasizing that Akhigne was not the mastermind but played an active role in some aspects of the fraud.
Roy Hicks (73), an accountant who stole over €90,000 from St George's National School in Balbriggan, received a fully suspended sentence of two years and five months. Hicks admitted to 22 counts of theft between 2019 and 2021, using the stolen funds to keep his accountancy business in Wales afloat. He was arrested in 2023 and suffered a stroke shortly after. The court heard that Hicks had no previous convictions and expressed remorse for his actions. Judge Orla Crowe acknowledged the breach of trust but considered his health issues and the likelihood of him not reoffending. The sentence was suspended on strict conditions, and Hicks was not required to compensate the school due to his inability to do so. Roy Hicks pleaded guilty.
Josh Tierney, a 22-year-old soccer coach from Balbriggan, was sentenced at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court after pleading guilty to possession of drugs for sale or supply at an address in north Balbriggan on May 31, 2024. The prosecution alleged that gardai seized several bags of suspected cannabis, valued at €17,673, during a search warrant execution. Tierney admitted to possessing the drugs to pay a debt owed to a relative. Judge Jonathan Dumphy noted that while the case reached the custodial sentence threshold, exceptional circumstances allowed for a departure from the mandatory ten-year minimum. The judge considered aggravating factors, including the seriousness of the charge, Tierney's previous convictions, and a moderate risk of reoffending, alongside mitigating factors such as his early guilty plea and admissions. Testimonials described Tierney as a valuable member of Balbriggan Football Club. The court sentenced Tierney to two years and nine months in prison, suspending the final eighteen months for two years. Consequently, he will serve fifteen months in custody. Additionally, Tierney was placed under the supervision of probation services for two years post-release.
A judge has given a suspended sentence to a young man who was found guilty of being a money mule in a scam that involved over €20,000 in stolen funds. Judge Martin Nolan told the defendant, Ryan Odusanya (20), that 'stupidity can only get you so far' and warned him that this was his future unless he 'wises up'. Odusanya pleaded guilty to holding €20,000 in criminal proceeds in his bank account on September 5, 2023. He was not involved in setting up or operating the scam, which affected an elderly couple from Kerry and a business owner from Galway. Judge Nolan expressed frustration with young people who commit money laundering offences, saying he was 'getting fed up' with them claiming they were 'young and stupid'. He sentenced Odusanya to 20 months in prison, which was suspended in full. The court heard that Odusanya had responded to an advert on Snapchat offering a small cash reward for the use of a bank account.
Judge Martin Nolan has expressed frustration with young people who plead 'young and stupid' when convicted of money mule offences. Ryan Odusanya (20) pleaded guilty to holding over €20,000 in criminal proceeds in his bank account, which was used in an online banking scam targeting an elderly couple from Kerry and a business owner from Galway. Odusanya was not involved in the scam but was lured by an advert on Snapchat offering a small cash reward for using his bank account. His defence highlighted his good family background and academic achievements. Judge Nolan noted the increasing number of such cases and criticized the defendants for knowing that their actions would harm others. He adjourned the sentence and remanded Odusanya into custody until the next hearing.
A 24-year-old man with a long criminal history was jailed for two years and six months after pleading guilty to money laundering. Eoin Wiley had €41,920 pass through his bank account despite only receiving €120 per week in social welfare. He had 155 previous convictions for various offences, including assault and driving violations. Detective Garda Keith Colman described Wiley as a recidivist offender known to gardai. His bank records showed multiple deposits from unknown third parties, and cash was withdrawn from ATMs. The Department of Social Protection confirmed Wiley received Jobseeker's Allowance and was not employed. Although arrested for money laundering, no evidence emerged during his interview. He was charged and entered a signed plea. His defence highlighted his ADHD diagnosis, drug issues, and family responsibilities. Judge Orla Crowe suspended the final three months of his sentence.
An offender who was on temporary release when he took part in an assault that left the victim with a serious brain injury has been jailed for five years. John Connors (28) of Upper Rathmines Road, Rathmines Co Dublin, pleaded guilty on a trial date to assault causing serious harm to Christopher McDonagh on January 24, 2021. His co-accused, Michael Joyce (28), was previously sentenced to seven and a half years in May 2022. The court heard that gardai arrived at an apartment complex and found Joyce and Connors heading upstairs with blood on Joyce's hands and a cut to his forehead. Inside the apartment, two fire extinguishers and bloodstains were found. Mr McDonagh was discovered in the back garden with a serious head injury and lost 11 teeth. Connors was arrested but initially deemed unfit for interview due to intoxication. He was eventually interviewed four times and commented that the video footage of the assault was 'disgusting'.
Adeleke Adelani, 27, of Riverside View, Lower Main Street, Letterkenny, Co Donegal, has been sentenced to a consecutive 21-month prison term for laundering €100,397 in criminal cash in November 2019 and in January 2020, and for laundering the proceeds of crime on dates between October 2018 and February 2021. Adelani pleaded guilty to these charges. The court heard that €124,000 passed through his bank accounts, with only €3,500 accounted for, primarily from social welfare payments. The State's case is that Adelani was not involved in setting up the invoice redirection scams but was a recruiter for money mule bank accounts to facilitate the thefts. The court heard that the money ended up in the bank account of a 41-year-old Dublin woman who received a suspended prison sentence in March 2022. Adelani admitted to withdrawing cash and purchasing high-value items. Gardai found 50 images of other people's bank accounts on his phone. Adelani has previous convictions for assault, false imprisonment, burglary, and production of an article. He is currently serving a partially suspended seven-year sentence with a release date in November 2029. The judge stated that Adelani was 'up to his neck in money laundering' and that he was procuring bank accounts for substantial rewards. The 21-month sentence will run consecutive to his existing sentence.
Darragh Carroll, 27, was jailed for stealing a Renault Fluence and reckless endangerment after a drunken garda pursuit in Balbriggan. Carroll, who had no driving licence and was disqualified from driving, ran red lights, overtook a stopped vehicle, drove through stop signs, onto a footpath and in the wrong direction on busy residential streets. He swerved past a pedestrian and crashed into a wooden pillar, then fled the scene, jumping over a house wall before being arrested. Carroll pleaded guilty to the theft, endangerment, two criminal damage charges and driving without a licence. The judge set a headline sentence of seven and a half years, reduced to three years, with concurrent two‑year terms for theft and criminal damage. The final 18 months were suspended on probation, and Carroll was disqualified from driving for five years. He is engaged in rehabilitation in custody. Darragh Carroll was convicted.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, Jake Emmet, aged 23, was sentenced to five and a half years in prison for a series of violent offences. Emmet pleaded guilty to demanding money with menace on 15 September 2024, assault causing harm on 25 September 2024, and three counts of producing a knife in a manner likely to intimidate. He threatened a woman with a knife, sent her WhatsApp messages, and, with accomplices, attacked her partner with a knife while shouting "kill him, finish him." The court noted that Emmet's threats were ignored and that the victim had called Gardaí. Judge Nolan, citing the intent to seriously harm the victim and Emmet's prior blackmail conviction, imposed the custodial sentence, backdating it to January. The case involved no further appeals or subsequent proceedings as reported.
Terry Maughan, 47, of Balbriggan, Dublin, had a seven‑month jail term for stealing nearly €9,000 of electrical cable and a six‑month concurrent sentence for burglary at Skerries Sailing Club overturned on appeal. The District Court Appeals Court replaced both sentences with a fully suspended sentence for 12 months, conditional on compliance with probation. Maughan was identified on CCTV stealing €8,982 worth of cable from an industrial estate in Santry and later admitted the theft, selling the cable for €535. He was also caught on CCTV removing a €300 barbecue from a concrete shed at the sailing club, which he returned. He has 133 prior convictions, including 15 thefts, and was described by Garda Jake Digney as "massively cooperative" and "deeply sorry.".
In February 2024, Jason Cerfas, aged 23, was removed from Swords Courthouse after verbally abusing another man, leading to charges of threatening, abusive or insulting behaviour and failing to comply with a garda's direction under the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act 1994. He was convicted on both counts and sentenced to two months and five months in custody, to be served concurrently. Cerfas appealed, arguing the sentence was too severe. The District Court Appeals Court, hearing the appeal, noted that Cerfas had been directed to leave the courthouse multiple times and that his conduct had "no difficulty tearing down the court system." Judge Jonathan Dunphy, after considering the appeal, suspended the five‑month custodial sentence for two years, provided Cerfas keeps the peace and avoids further garda attention. The appeal did not alter the conviction or the concurrent nature of the sentences. The case remains at the appeal stage, with the suspended sentence in effect. Jason Cerfas pleaded not guilty.
Olesja Hertova, 49, of Balbriggan, pleaded guilty to the unlawful killing of her partner James Ryan, 69, after she forcefully pushed him on 11 August 2024. The incident occurred after a dispute at their home following a night out. Hertova claimed she was trying to stop him from driving. CCTV footage showed her returning to the house and staying with Ryan until emergency services arrived. Ryan suffered a blunt‑force head injury, was transferred to Beaumont Hospital, and died the next day. Hertova had no prior convictions and expressed remorse during her interview. The court, considering her early guilty plea and lack of previous offences, imposed a headline sentence of five years, reduced to two years and nine months, back‑dated to her August 2024 arrest. The sentence was based on the single push that caused Ryan's death.
A 48‑year‑old woman, Olesja Hertova of Hastings Lawn, Balbriggan, admitted to unlawfully killing her partner, James Ryan, in North County Dublin last year. She pleaded guilty to manslaughter on 11 August 2024 and was arraigned today at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. She began crying when the charge was read and pleaded guilty. Her barrister, Bernard Condon SC, requested the earliest sentencing date. Judge Orla Crowe remanded her in custody for sentencing on 3 July 2025.
Dean McAuley, 34, a repeat offender with 17 prior convictions, pleaded guilty in the District Court to using threatening and abusive language and being intoxicated in a public place contrary to the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act, 1994, after drunkenly threatening and abusing staff at a Dublin Macari's chipper on 13 July 2024. He was sentenced to two months in custody, with the last month suspended. On appeal, Judge James O'Donohoe fully suspended the custodial sentence, leaving McAuley free while the suspended portion remains in effect.
During sentencing of Keith Daly, 31, at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, Garda Sergeant Wes Kenny read a victim impact statement. Kenny, injured when Daly resisted arrest on Killakee Road, described his finger as forcibly bent and injured, noting a heightened fear and psychological toll. The incident began when Garda Natasha McAleese and Kenny stopped a car at 11.10pm; Daly, a passenger, became agitated, opened the door aggressively, and shouted. A struggle ensued, Kenny was thrown to the ground, and Daly fled. Kenny seized a bag of 9.6g cannabis, valued at €192, and two smaller bags with €3,445 cash. Kenny was treated for his finger injury. Defence counsel apologized, noting 33 of Daly's 55 convictions were juvenile. Judge Orla Crowe called the case unusual, directed a probation report, and acknowledged Daly's efforts to turn his life around. The unnamed man pleaded guilty.
Daniel Mofiyinfoluwa Kotun-Akinbode, a 24-year-old from Balbriggan, Co Dublin, appeared before the District Court Appeals Court to challenge a one-year driving disqualification. He had been convicted in his absence at Balbriggan District Court for holding a phone while driving, contrary to section 3(1) of the Road Traffic Act 2006, and was sentenced to a one-year ban and a €300 fine. The appeal arose after Kotun-Akinbode was stopped by Garda Cian O'Connor in Balbriggan on April 13, 2024, for an unrelated matter. While the vehicle was parked with the engine running, the appellant allegedly took out his phone to record the interaction. Garda O'Connor stated he informed the driver twice that using a phone was an offence even if the car was not in motion. Defence counsel Richard Brady BL accepted that the vehicle did not need to be in motion for the law to be breached but appealed on the severity of the sentence alone, arguing the punishment was disproportionate. Judge Fiona O'Sullivan affirmed the District Court's conviction and the €300 fine but lifted the one-year disqualification from driving.
A Nigerian woman has been sentenced to three years' imprisonment at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court after pleading guilty to making false statements to gardaí. The 34-year-old woman arrived at Store Street Garda Station in October 2019 claiming she had been trafficked to Ireland and forced into prostitution. Over subsequent months, she provided five statements detailing her alleged captivity in Balbriggan. Gardaí conducted an extensive investigation spanning hundreds of hours, including searches of the area and CCTV analysis. Investigation ultimately revealed the account was fabricated. Handwriting experts linked documentation found in her hostel accommodation and a discovered diary to the woman. Evidence from bank records and CCTV footage contradicted her narrative. The woman, previously resident in Carrickmacross, Monaghan, pleaded guilty to three counts of knowingly making false statements between October 2019 and December 2020. Judge Ronan Munro described her actions as premeditated and calculated, noting they diverted resources from genuine victims and undermined legitimate trafficking complaints.
A 43‑year‑old learner driver, Jijo George, was found guilty of dangerous driving after he ran a stop sign on Drogheda Street, Balbriggan, on 29 January 2023. Garda Joanne McGinn, who was on patrol at the time, observed the vehicle fail to stop, nearly colliding with her patrol car and a child on a bicycle. She noted a strong smell of alcohol and performed a breath test that returned clear. George was driving on a learner's permit without L plates or an accompanying driver. He was charged under Section 53 of the Road Traffic Act 1961 and Section 69 for failure to produce insurance. The court upheld the conviction, imposing a two‑year disqualification and a €250 fine. The judge accepted all evidence presented by the Garda. Jijo George pleaded not guilty.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing on 2 April 2025, the court considered the case of a 17‑year‑old driver, Aleksandrs Garkovskis, who struck a cyclist on 13 June 2021 at Sheriff Street Upper, Dublin 1, after running a red light. The collision threw the cyclist higher than a double‑decker bus, causing catastrophic brain injuries, fractures and ongoing health problems. The cyclist has no memory of the incident, suffers slurred speech and receives rehabilitative treatment in assisted accommodation. Garkovskis pleaded guilty to dangerous driving causing serious bodily harm and was sentenced to two and a half years, deferred until 11 April to allow him to complete college exams. The judge noted the aggravating factors of the red‑light violation and the driver's failure to remain at the scene, but reduced the sentence due to his young age. The court also heard evidence of prior payment frauds and the driver's admission of guilt after CCTV was presented.
Rachel Redmond, 34, was found guilty by a jury of impeding the Garda investigation into the murder of drug dealer Jordan 'Jordo' Davis. The jury heard that Redmond collected the shooter, Wayne Cooney, from a bus stop minutes after he killed Davis and later checked him into the Clayton Hotel near Dublin Airport. Redmond denied knowing Cooney had committed murder, claiming she was unaware of his criminality and that she had only helped him because she loved him. The prosecution described her testimony as "risible" and argued that she knowingly obstructed the investigation. The judge remanded Redmond in custody pending a sentencing hearing on 12 May. No other charges or outcomes were reported in this article.
Kevin Braney, aged 49, is appealing his conviction for the murder of Peter Butterly at the Special Criminal Court. The appeal, heard before a three-judge panel, centres on two main issues: the lawfulness of surveillance authorisation and the admissibility of evidence from an accomplice-turned-State's witness. Braney's counsel argues that gardai breached his privacy rights by deploying a listening device at a KFC restaurant in Charlestown Shopping Centre, Finglas without proper district court authorisation. The defence contends a superintendent in County Meath could have sought judicial approval at nearby Balbriggan District Court rather than relying on emergency powers under the Criminal Law (Surveillance) Act 2009. The Director of Public Prosecutions argues the superintendent acted appropriately given time constraints when the criminal meeting emerged. The prosecution also disputes whether private conversation expectations apply in a public restaurant setting. Additionally, Braney's legal team challenges the trial court's reliance on evidence from David Cullen, who pleaded guilty to firearms offences and entered witness protection. The defence characterises Cullen as unreliable and willing to lie in his interests.
The Court of Appeal is hearing an appeal by Kevin Braney, who was convicted by the Special Criminal Court of the 2013 murder of Peter Butterly. Counsel for Braney argued that the conviction should be overturned because the trial relied on the evidence of David Cullen, a State's witness described as a perjurer and accomplice. Cullen had previously pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of a semi-automatic pistol, receiving a seven-year sentence with half suspended, in exchange for dropping a murder charge. The defence contended that Cullen's credibility was undermined by his admitted dishonesty and personal animus toward Braney. The Director of Public Prosecutions countered that the circumstantial evidence, including observed movements of gang members, was compelling and supported Cullen's testimony that Braney instructed the killing. Braney, who was previously sentenced in 2018 to four years and six months for IRA membership, was found guilty of premeditated murder in February 2019. Co-defendants Edward McGrath, Sharif Kelly, and Dean Evans also received life sentences for the murder, with Evans identified as the shooter. The three-judge Court of Appeal will hear further submissions from both parties before making a decision.
The Central Criminal Court trial of Rachel Redmond, 34, continues before Mr Justice Paul Burns. Ms Redmond, from Coolock, has pleaded not guilty to two counts of assisting Wayne Cooney to evade prosecution for the murder of Jordan Davis on May 22, 2019. The prosecution alleges she drove Cooney from the scene and checked him into the Clayton Hotel near Dublin Airport. Evidence presented includes testimony from Ashling McNally, former partner of Robert Redmond, who stated she collected Robert from Belcamp Lane at 4:13 pm, minutes after the shooting. Robert Redmond, Ms Redmond's brother, previously pleaded guilty in May 2013 to possessing heroin worth almost €37,000 and was sentenced to five years in prison. Detective Garda Shane Kelly identified Cooney in CCTV footage, while hotel staff confirmed a booking under Ms Redmond's name. The jury is tasked with determining if Ms Redmond knew or believed Cooney committed the murder. The trial was adjourned and is scheduled to continue on Tuesday.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, Harry Smyth, 26, pleaded guilty to careless driving causing serious bodily harm after failing to see a stop sign on a rural road near Nevitt, Balbriggan. While driving a Ford Fiesta, he collided with a black Toyota Yaris whose driver suffered severe back and neck injuries, requiring surgery, while the passenger daughter was unharmed. Smyth admitted he had mistakenly gone through the stop sign, which he only noticed after the crash. He remained at the scene, cooperated with Gardaí, and later apologized to the victim, who described the accident as life‑changing and devastating to his family. The court noted no aggravating factors such as speed or intoxication and imposed a nine‑month prison sentence suspended on strict conditions, with no driving disqualification requested by the defence. The case also involves a civil claim.
David Nally, 43, of Balbriggan, pleaded guilty in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to six charges for scamming two men out of over €900,000 through a fictitious cattle and machinery scheme between 2014 and 2016. He promised to buy livestock from a bank after farm repossessions and sell them at a profit. The victims invested more than €700,000 and €218,000 respectively. Nally returned some money, but the first victim remains owed about €390,000 and the second has lost €175,000. Gardaí found he never purchased cattle from a bank; the maximum he bought was 230 animals, not the claimed 3,000. Judge Martin Nolan imposed a six‑year custodial sentence, suspended the final 18 months, and ordered Nally to hand over €300,000 to be distributed to the victims within three months. The case is now before the High Court.
In a murder trial in County Meath, the State presented a case that Daniel Blanaru, 37, stabbed his partner Larisa Serban, 26, to death on 12 August 2022. Prosecutor Eilis Brennan described the relationship as turbulent, jealous and controlling, citing a violent incident on 31 July 2022 at a house in Balbriggan where Serban called emergency services. Brennan said Serban was found early that morning with heavy bleeding from a chest laceration and that a stab wound caused fatal injury to her heart, lung and aorta. She noted that Blanaru's Gardaí interview was confusing and that blood at the scene could link to him. The trial will continue before Justice Eileen Creedon and an enlarged jury. The prosecution maintains that Blanaru intended to kill or seriously injure Serban. Daniel Blanaru pleaded not guilty.
Ganson Building and Civil Engineering Contractors, based in Balbriggan, pleaded guilty to two counts relating to the fatal June 2019 accident at St Oliver Plunkett National School, Malahide, where worker John Joe McAfee was crushed by a falling steel structure. The company admitted failure to protect employees from risk and to coordinate safe‑working procedures. The court noted that McAfee's steel frames were unstable and unanchored, and a site engineer had left early despite a contract to supervise. Ganson subcontracted the work, and the chain of subcontractors ultimately placed McAfee on a mobile platform that collapsed. The judge, considering guilty pleas and cooperation with the Health and Safety Authority, fined Ganson €250,000, payable within six months, and expressed deep sympathy for McAfee's family, who suffered ongoing grief and financial hardship after his death.