Noel Ward, 59, of Ballymun, was sentenced at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for fraudulently claiming over €109,000 in social welfare benefits between May 2008 and August 2019. Ward pleaded guilty to two charges of using a false instrument, including a driving licence, and six counts of theft from the State. The court heard that Ward used the identity of his late friend, Patrick Rooney, to claim benefits such as Jobseekers' Allowance and Disability Benefit, while also working under Rooney's name to claim additional allowances in his own name. Judge Orla Crowe described the conduct as a deliberate and sophisticated fraud. Considering mitigating factors, including Ward's status as a sole carer and his repayment of all but €15,000 of the stolen funds, the judge set a headline sentence of five years. She imposed a term of three years, suspending the final 18 months. Ward is required to repay the remaining €15,000 to the State within four years. The matter was finalised with this custodial sentence and suspended portion.
Mary O'Sullivan, 52, pleaded guilty to one count of deception, four counts of using a false instrument and four counts of false accounting for taking €16,024 from Leargas, a non‑profit, between 2016 and 2019. She oversaw the petty cash process, kept incomplete records and falsified receipts. A 2019 review uncovered irregularities, altered receipts and incomplete accounts. O'Sullivan delayed reconciliation, handed over receipts and the petty cash book only after being asked, and during interviews blamed colleagues, claimed budget reasons and said receipts were in storage. Garda searches found no evidence. Her employment ended after the review. She has no prior convictions, was working and supporting her parents, and pleaded remorse. The case was adjourned to 2 December for finalisation.
A Dubliner, Noel Ward, 59, used the PPS number of a friend who had moved to Thailand to fraudulently claim €109,235 in social welfare benefits over a decade. Ward, who was homeless when the scheme began, claimed benefits such as Jobseekers' Benefit, Disability Benefit, Jobseekers' Allowance, Basic Supplementary Welfare Allowance and Rent Allowance, and transferred about €64,000 into his friend Patrick Rooney's AIB account. He pleaded guilty to two counts of using a false instrument, including a false driving licence, and six counts of theft from the State between May 2008 and August 2019. Ward has been repaying the State since 2017, including a €20,000 lump sum, and is expected to clear the remaining €15,000 debt within four years. The case was heard in the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, with the hearing adjourned for finalisation on November 20.
Robert Hanratty, 48, of Whiteacre Place, Ballymun, pleaded guilty to possession of zopiclone tablets at his home and a location in Ballymun for sale or supply on 6 January 2023. He held over €30,000 worth of sleeping tablets, claiming he did so to deter vandalism by local youths who had targeted his home. Hanratty, described as vulnerable and with a drink problem, had four minor prior convictions unrelated to drugs. Judge Orla Crowe noted the statutory minimum for the offence is 10 years but, citing his cooperation and lack of prior drug convictions, set a headline sentence of three years, reduced to two years and four months, and suspended the entire term. The court emphasized that a suspended sentence remains a real penalty and may be re‑entered if further issues arise. The case involved 15,680 tablets recovered, valued at €32,200, and a psychological report detailing Hanratty's mental health and alcohol use. No further convictions were reported.
At the Central Criminal Court, the jury heard that the family of Dean Caffrey became fearful when three men visited their parents' home in Achill, County Mayo, seeking information about the accused. Alan Caffrey, the defendant's brother, testified that he received a concerning phone call four days after drug dealer Sean McCarthy was last seen, with the caller asking if his brother had "answers to questions" and making reference to "dead bodies". Alarmed for his family's safety, Alan Caffrey resolved to locate his brother and bring him to gardaí. Dean Caffrey subsequently attended Ashbourne Garda Station in County Meath, where he informed officers that Mr McCarthy's body could be found in a wardrobe in his apartment. Mr Caffrey has pleaded not guilty to the murder of Sean McCarthy between 2 and 7 August 2022. The prosecution contends he discharged a firearm with intent to kill or cause serious injury. The trial continues before Mr Justice Paul McDermott and a jury.
A murder trial at the Central Criminal Court has heard evidence concerning the day after a man's death in a Drumcondra apartment. A work colleague testified that Dean Caffrey, who is accused of murdering Sean McCarthy on August 2, 2022, appeared to be in good form while working at Dublin Airport three days after the alleged incident. The witness said Caffrey chatted about sport and women during their shift and was frequently on his phone, mentioning plans for a holiday. Separately, Caffrey's ex-girlfriend told the court she had planned to visit his home that day but changed her mind after he said he had been napping. The trial heard that Caffrey later attended Gardaí voluntarily and directed officers to McCarthy's body, which was found wrapped in plastic inside a suitcase in a wardrobe. Caffrey, aged 38, of Beaucort, Achill Road, Drumcondra, has pleaded not guilty to murder. The prosecution alleges he intended to kill or cause serious injury. The trial continues before Mr Justice Paul McDermott and a jury.
In the Special Criminal Court, Thomas 'Nicky' McConnell, aged 38, pleaded not guilty to the murder of Gareth Hutch, 36, on 24 May 2016. Barrister Mark Lynam SC argued that McConnell does not match the description of the gunman given by witnesses. Key witness Mary McDonnell, who spent hours in the gunmen's apartment, could not identify McConnell from photographs and described the gunman as having a blonde hair‑lock from the forehead, whereas McConnell has closely cropped black or dark hair. Another witness also described the alleged gunman as blonde. CCTV footage cited by the prosecution, showing McConnell with the second gunman, Jonathan Keogh, was said by Lynam to depict a man of smaller build with different facial features. Lynam acknowledged that McConnell was involved in criminal activity before the shooting and was in possession of a BMW intended as a getaway vehicle, but he stressed that this does not prove McConnell was a shooter. Nicky' McConnell was acquitted.
In the Special Criminal Court, the prosecution presented DNA, CCTV and mobile phone evidence linking Thomas 'Nicky' McConnell to the 2016 murder of 36‑year‑old Gareth Hutch. Fiona Murphy SC argued that McConnell was involved in both planning and execution alongside Jonathan Keogh, who was already convicted. Evidence included CCTV of McConnell parking a BMW in front of Hutch's home, the car's use as a getaway vehicle, and a Skoda Octavia parked nearby. DNA from the BMW matched McConnell, and a Blackberry phone showed extensive contact with other suspects and instructions to flee to the UK. McConnell denied the charge, pleading not guilty. The court heard that McConnell's movements were misrepresented to Gardaí, and that he was "at least very similar" to the man identified by a witness. The case remains pending, with the defence scheduled to present its closing argument on Friday.
The Special Criminal Court trial of Thomas 'Nicky' McConnell, who denies murdering Gareth Hutch, resumed after a more than one‑year adjournment. McConnell, aged 38, is accused of shooting Hutch, 36, outside his home in 2016. The trial had been paused in June 2023 when a judge could not continue, and was further delayed by a year while awaiting a Supreme Court ruling on the admissibility of mobile‑phone data. On resumption, Judge Alex Owens rejected arguments that McConnell's arrest was unlawful and that the Gardaí had exceeded their authority in seizing mobile phones found beside his bed. McConnell has pleaded not guilty. The prosecution alleges he and Jonathan Keogh used an apartment opposite Hutch's home as a lookout, followed Hutch from his front door, and shot him dead. The final evidence will be heard tomorrow before the court's closing speech. The case follows earlier convictions of Regina Keogh, Jonathan Keogh and Thomas Fox for the same murder.
Robert Hanratty, 48, pleaded guilty in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to possession of 15,680 zopiclone tablets, valued at €32,200, found in his home and a location in Ballymun. He claimed he held the drugs to deter attacks by "juvenile delinquents" who had targeted his residence, and that he would receive a small payment. Hanratty has four prior minor convictions unrelated to drugs and does not use drugs, though he struggles with alcohol. Defence counsel Padraig Dwyer presented a psychological report detailing Hanratty's mental health issues, low mood, and heavy alcohol consumption, describing him as a "hapless" and "sad" man. The judge, Orla Crowe, deemed the case unusual and adjourned sentencing to 8 November to consider the circumstances.
The court heard that CCTV footage captured a man, Sean O'Neill, 22, lying injured on the ground in Dublin City Centre after an assault. The footage showed several people standing over him and stealing his belongings, including a watch valued at €9,000. O'Neill had previously pleaded guilty to violent disorder on 4 October 2023 and robbery on 19 September 2023. He was arrested the following day after a warrant was issued. During interrogation he claimed he could not remember the incident and said he was "strung out," but he identified himself on the footage. The court noted his 39 prior convictions, including drug offences, and his history of homelessness. The judge, Martin Nolan, accepted his guilty plea and admissions, and imposed a four‑year prison sentence, back‑dated to the time he entered custody, with the final year suspended for one year. The victim and the injured man declined to give victim impact statements.
The Central Criminal Court has heard evidence during the murder trial of Dean Caffrey, aged 38, of Beaucourt, Achill Road, Drumcondra, Dublin 9. Mr Caffrey has pleaded not guilty to the murder of Sean McCarthy between August 2 and 7, 2022. Garda Brian Davis confirmed to the defence that the deceased was known to gardaí as a drug dealer in the Ballymun area. According to the prosecution, Mr Caffrey presented himself at Ashbourne Garda Station two days after Mr McCarthy was reported missing and disclosed the location of a body in his apartment wardrobe. The accused has stated that Mr McCarthy was fatally shot during a struggle over a firearm after demanding €5,000. State Pathologist Dr SallyAnne Collis confirmed death resulted from a gunshot wound to the head. CCTV evidence charting the deceased's movements on August 2, 2022, was presented to the jury. The trial continues before Mr Justice Paul McDermott.
An 18-year-old man from Rathmullan, County Donegal, has been sentenced to four years imprisonment, with the final year suspended, at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court following a dangerous high-speed pursuit through the capital in November 2021. Aaron Donnelly pleaded guilty to two counts of endangerment and one count of unlawful use of a vehicle without consent. During the incident, Donnelly drove a stolen car at speeds exceeding 160km/h whilst evading gardaí, travelling the wrong way down Dame Street at 100km/h and through multiple red lights. The pursuit, which began after gardaí spotted three youths acting suspiciously, saw other road users forced to take evasive action to avoid collision. Judge Martin Nolan placed the offence in the "middle to high" range of endangerment, disqualifying Donnelly from driving for six years. The sentence was backdated to January, with the court noting Donnelly's age at the time of the offence, his cooperation with authorities, and positive progress in custody.
Raider Ian Byrne, 41, was sentenced to two and a half years in prison for an attempted robbery. The court heard that on November 15, 2022, Byrne allegedly attempted to rob John Brereton of Brereton's Jewellers on Capel Street while the victim, aged in his 70s, was opening the shop. Prosecutors stated Byrne was armed with a butcher's knife, but Mr. Brereton used a shutter pole to force him to back off. Byrne had previously pleaded guilty to one count of robbing a post office on Dorset Street, Dublin 7, and one count of possessing an imitation firearm on November 1, 2022. For those admitted offences, he was jailed for 21 months last December. In his defence, counsel Emmet Nolan BL described Byrne as a single man living with his mother who had an excellent work history until a knee injury led to drug addiction and debt. Judge Martin Nolan accepted Byrne was in desperate need of money but noted the seriousness of the offence involving a knife and an elderly victim. The judge handed down a sentence of two and a half years, to start from the date of sentencing.
A nursing home operator, Bartra Opco (Northwood NH) Limited, has initiated a High Court challenge against the State over what it describes as an insufficient funding increase under the 'Fair Deal scheme'. The applicant operates the Northwood Residential Home on Old Ballymun Road Santry, Dublin 9, and claims that the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) has not provided a fair or reasonable offer for the funding increase. The nursing home sought a 10% increase, amounting to an additional €127 per week per resident, but the NTPF's final offer was €1,320 per resident from January 1, 2024, to April 30, 2024, and €1,365 from May 1, 2024, to April 30, 2025. The applicant alleges that the offer is not fair, lacks proper reasoning, and is inconsistent with how the NTPF has handled similar requests from other nursing homes. The case was heard by Ms Justice Niamh Hyland, who granted the applicant permission to proceed on an ex-parte basis. The matter is adjourned and will return before the court next month.
James Maloney, 44, pleaded guilty to assault causing harm and attempted theft at an 80‑year‑old woman's home in Santry on 1 February 2023. He has 38 prior convictions. The Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, presided by Judge Elma Sheahan, found the private dwelling and victim's age aggravating, but noted Maloney's guilty plea, duress to pay a drug debt, remorse and apology as mitigating. He was sentenced to four years for the attempted burglary and two years and four months for the assault, both to run concurrently. The judge suspended the final six months of the sentence for six months. Maloney had been homeless and a drug user at the time, had admitted the offence, expressed remorse, and was engaged in a methadone programme. The victim suffered head, arm and hand injuries and had to wait over 12 hours in A&E. The court heard a victim impact statement and a letter of apology from Maloney.
A 52‑year‑old man, Jason Ward, was sentenced to five years in prison, with the final 12 months suspended on strict conditions, after he set fire to an upstairs office in a Drumcondra building. He claimed he was under the mistaken belief that his former partner was having an affair there. The fire caused over €110,000 in damage, including smoke damage to a downstairs apartment, and forced tenants to relocate for three months. Ward pleaded guilty to arson and endangerment on 1 June 2022 and had 14 prior convictions. He was found to have purchased petrol, used a balaclava, and employed an accelerant. The court noted his guilty plea, remorse, and efforts to address addiction as mitigating factors. The incident was described as deliberate, cold‑planned, and executed without regard for people or property.
Glen Duff, 36, of Doon Court, Poppintree, Dublin 11, was sentenced to six years' imprisonment for two robberies and an assault causing harm in Temple Bar. The first offence occurred on 17 April 2022 when Duff and an accomplice attacked a tourist, kicking and stomping on his head before taking a €300 wallet. The victim suffered concussion and ongoing memory problems. The second offence took place on 23 June 2023, when Duff and another man robbed an American tourist who had just arrived in Ireland, stealing his wallet, passport and driving licence and leaving him with a broken finger. Both incidents were captured on CCTV and led to charges in May 2023 and November 2023, respectively. Duff pleaded guilty to all charges.
Christopher Dunne, 39, of The Charter, Santry Cross, Dublin, was sentenced to seven years' imprisonment for a series of armed robberies committed between July and October 2022. He pleaded guilty to four counts of robbery from three different stores – Applegreen, Eurospar in Ballymun and Spar on Dorset Street Lower – and was also charged with attempted robbery. In July 2022 he robbed two tills, taking €720 from Applegreen and €400 from Eurospar, and €540 from Spar, all while armed with a knife. After being released on bail, he robbed a Tesco Express in Bolton Street with a realistic imitation revolver, demanding a cashier hand over €2,000 and ordering a security guard to kneel. He then attempted to rob a Gala shop, was sprayed with insect repellent and fled. Gardaí located him at his Santry address after a tip‑off; he was found hiding in a bathroom and was taken into custody.
Debbie Paget, 56, of Knowth Court, Ballymun, Dublin, was convicted in May 2024 for dishonestly inducing James Byrne to give her €10,000 by claiming his deceased father had instructed her to receive the money, and for a lesser charge of inducing Maria Byrne to give €200. The jury found her guilty on the first count and not guilty on the second. She was jailed for one year by Judge Pauline Codd on 10 July. In the appeal, counsel argued that the trial judge erred by not directing a not‑guilty verdict at the close of the prosecution case, citing alleged inconsistencies in witness statements. The Court of Appeal dismissed the appeal, affirming the jury's findings and the conviction. The case remains at the sentencing stage, with no further outcome reported in the article.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing on 12 January 2024, Aaron Costello, 24, pleaded guilty to assault causing harm to a male victim in Ballymun on 12 October 2022. The court noted that the victim, who had no animosity toward Costello, accepted the apology and expressed a "generous and spirited" attitude, stating he did not wish the defendant to be jailed. Judge Pauline Codd, after viewing CCTV footage showing Costello striking the victim from behind and kicking him twice while he was on the ground, found the assault unnecessary and placed the offence in the upper mid‑range of offending. Costello had no prior convictions and expressed genuine remorse, bringing €5,000 to court as a token of regret. The judge sentenced him to 18 months' imprisonment, suspended in full for two years, and imposed a lifetime criminal conviction.
Ian Byrne, 41, was sentenced to 21 months in prison for robbing a post office on Dorset Street, Dublin 7, and for possessing an imitation firearm on 1 November 2022. He also faced a count of attempting to rob a post office in Cabra two days later, which was considered but not charged. Byrne claimed he was coerced by a drugs gang after accruing a cocaine debt following a knee injury. He had previously worked as a forklift driver for Ikea for eight years and had no prior convictions. Byrne admitted to the robbery at a Ballymun Garda station, stating he was under pressure and threatened by the gang. The judge, Martin Nolan, noted Byrne's depression medication and the gang's threats, and said the 21‑month term was the lowest he could impose under the circumstances. Ian Byrne pleaded guilty.
Laurence Maguire, 47, pleaded guilty to two robberies and an assault at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. He had been on the run for seven years after a bench warrant was issued in 2016, during which time Gardaí could not locate him. In June 2023 he surrendered and has been in custody since. The first robbery occurred at Courtview, Rathbourne, where he forced a woman to drop her bags, stole a River Island handbag containing about €30, bank cards and a DKNY watch, and left her with a sore neck and a cut. The second robbery took place on Glasnevin Avenue, Ballymun, where he attempted to seize a woman's bag, injured her husband with cuts to his face and hand, and stole a Marks & Spencer handbag. Gardaí recovered the vehicle, bank cards, and evidence linking Maguire to the incidents. He admitted to possessing a knife and having a drug addiction, and has 17 prior convictions.
In November 2023 the Court of Appeal ruled that the quashing of Darren Thompson's gang‑rape conviction was not a miscarriage of justice. Thompson, 30, had been jailed for six years with two years suspended after a 2017 jury conviction for raping a 21‑year‑old nightclub patron. In 2020 the conviction was overturned when the Director of Public Prosecutions did not oppose his application, but no retrial was ordered. Thompson's lawyers sought a miscarriage‑of‑justice certificate under Section 9 of the Criminal Procedure Act, arguing that undisclosed Garda and Tusla documents – relating to unfounded child‑sexual‑abuse complaints made by the complainant – were a newly discovered fact. The three‑judge panel found the failure to disclose was a "human error", not bad faith, and that the material would not have been decisive. Consequently the court denied the certificate, stating the error did not amount to a fundamental defect in the administration of justice. Darren Thompson pleaded not guilty.
A jury will return to the Central Criminal Court tomorrow to consider their verdict in the trial of a man with obsessive compulsive disorder who stabbed his housemate to death because he believed he would go to hell if he did not. Sean Murphy (29) with an address at Bradóg Court, St Lawrence Road, Clontarf, Dublin 3, has pleaded not guilty to the murder of Michael Olohan (35) at the apartment they shared on St Lawrence Road on August 13, 2020. Mr Olohan is originally from Poppintree in Ballymun, north Dublin. The jury of six men and six women began their deliberations this morning, having begun hearing evidence last week. The trial heard that at the time of the stabbing the accused and deceased lived together at Bradóg Court in a "step-down independent living facility" run by St Vincent's Hospital Psychiatric Services. Sean Murphy was found not guilty by reason of insanity.
In the trial of Sean Murphy, 29, who stabbed his housemate Michael Olohan, 35, to death, the prosecution argues a not‑guilty‑by‑reason‑of‑insanity verdict, citing two psychiatrists who say Murphy was psychotic and unable to resist. The defence, however, maintains that Murphy has some criminal responsibility and should be found guilty of manslaughter due to diminished responsibility. Both sides agree Murphy suffered a severe mental illness, diagnosed as obsessive‑compulsive disorder with psychotic symptoms. The jury is instructed to consider whether Murphy's mental state negated all responsibility or merely reduced it. The case is set to be heard by a jury of twelve, with deliberations to begin the following day. The trial is ongoing and no verdict has yet been reached. Sean Murphy pleaded not guilty and was found not guilty by reason of insanity.
Karl Scully, 34, was sentenced at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for careless driving causing the death of Devin Shepherd, 7, at St Joseph's Way, Ballymun, on September 1, 2019. Scully pleaded guilty to the charge. Judge Pauline Codd imposed an 18-month prison sentence and disqualified him from driving for 10 years. During sentencing, Scully interjected to request a lifetime driving ban. The court noted that Scully, a road sweeper, failed to check his rear-view camera while reversing, striking the child. This conviction follows a prior six-month suspended sentence imposed in June 2023 for careless driving causing the death of Anthony Hanney, 61, in December 2018. In that earlier case, Scully entered a bus lane prematurely, leading to the fatal collision. The judge considered Scully's guilty plea, remorse, and personal circumstances in mitigation, while noting his prior conviction for causing death by careless driving as an aggravating factor. Victim impact statements from Devin's family highlighted their ongoing grief. Scully has 15 previous District Court convictions, including two for failing to display tax. The court emphasized the driver's duty of care in the presence of children.
Sean Murphy, 29, was found to have a severe obsessive‑compulsive disorder with psychotic features when he stabbed Michael Olohan, 35, to death on 13 August 2020. Dr Ronan Mullaney, a consultant psychiatrist, told the Central Criminal Court that Murphy was "acutely psychotic" and could not refrain from the killing because he believed he was saving himself and the world from great harm. He had a long psychiatric history, first diagnosed with OCD at 15, committed to a hospital at 16, and later discharged from St Vincent's psychiatric ward after nine months. In a letter to his treating team, Murphy admitted having thoughts of killing for about two years and described the act as a ritual driven by a fear of eternal torment. The jury was instructed that if they were not satisfied with an insanity verdict, Murphy would still be found guilty of manslaughter due to diminished responsibility. Sean Murphy pleaded not guilty.
Sean Murphy, 29, pleaded not guilty to the murder of Michael Olohan, 35, who died on 13 August 2020 after Murphy stabbed him in their shared apartment on St Lawrence Road. The case was heard at the Central Criminal Court, where the jury was informed that Murphy was 25 at the time of the killing. Both men lived in a step‑down independent living facility run by St Vincent's Hospital Psychiatric Services, where they received medication but were otherwise free to manage their own affairs. Prosecutor Ronan Kennedy SC argued that Murphy caused Olohan's death and that the jury must decide his mental capacity. Defence psychiatrist Professor Keith Rix testified that Murphy suffered from a "most severe" form of obsessive‑compulsive disorder (OCD) at the time of the killing. Rix explained that Murphy's OCD was so severe that he lacked insight, yet he was not convinced he could not have refrained from the act.
The Central Criminal Court heard the trial of Sean Murphy, 29, who stabbed his housemate Michael Olohan, 35, to death on 13 August 2020. Murphy had been released from a psychiatric ward to an independent living facility four months earlier. He pleaded not guilty to murder. The prosecution argued that Murphy had an active mental disorder and should be found not guilty by reason of insanity, while the defence contended that his responsibility was substantially diminished, seeking a verdict of manslaughter by reason of diminished responsibility. Witnesses included a prosecution expert who described severe obsessive‑compulsive disorder with psychotic symptoms, and a defence expert who agreed on OCD but denied a psychotic illness. The jury was instructed to consider Murphy's mental capacity at the time of the killing. The trial proceeded before Justice Mary Ellen Ring with a jury of twelve.
A jury was sworn in at the Central Criminal Court for the trial of Sean Murphy, 29, who is charged with the murder of Michael Olohan, 35, that occurred on 13 August 2020 on St Lawrence Road, Dublin. Murphy pleaded not guilty. The trial will start tomorrow before Justice Mary Ellen Ring and a jury of six men and six women and is expected to last up to five days.
Ross Thompson, 24, of Ballymun, was sentenced to four years in prison for his role in a violent group attack at Mountjoy Prison in December 2018. The incident, which took place in the recreation area around lunchtime, involved Thompson kicking and stamping on an injured inmate who was also stabbed up to seven times, though Thompson was not involved in the stabbing. The court described Thompson's conduct as "utterly reprehensible and lawless" and noted that the victim was stamped 15 or 16 times on the head. Judge Orla Crowe originally set a headline sentence of seven years but reduced it to four years, backdated to July 7, due to Thompson's young age and guilty plea. Thompson also faces a three‑year driving disqualification for a May 2021 incident involving a scrambler bike and a mobile patrol.
In a Mountjoy Prison group attack on 18 December 2018, Ross Thompson, 24, was found by the court to have kicked and stamped on an inmate in the recreation area, while the victim was stabbed up to seven times by around six individuals, including Thompson. CCTV footage showed Thompson's kicking and stamping; he was not involved in the stabbing and investigators found no evidence he knew a weapon would be used. Thompson pleaded guilty to violent disorder and to separate charges of dangerous driving, driving without a licence and driving without insurance on 18 May 2021. He has 61 prior convictions, including assault, threats to kill, drug possession and road‑traffic offences, and is currently serving a three‑year, three‑month sentence for reckless firearm discharge. The court noted that Thompson accepted his role in the prison disciplinary process, lost privileges, and that the case was delayed until this year.
Francis Fennell, Christopher Mellon, Alan Fagan, Paul Fagan, and Aaron King were sentenced at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for their roles in an international cocaine smuggling ring. All five defendants pleaded guilty to various charges, including conspiracy to commit serious offences, money laundering, and conspiracy to bring proceeds of criminal conduct into the state between 2012 and 2016. Judge Pauline Codd described the enterprise as a "get rich quick scheme" exploiting price disparities in Australia and New Zealand. Fennell, identified as the mastermind, received a ten-year sentence with the final two years suspended on strict conditions. Mellon, a first-time offender, had his three-and-a-half-year sentence suspended in full and was ordered to pay €10,000 to the Anna Livia project. Alan Fagan, described as a trusted lieutenant, was sentenced to six years with the final four and a half years suspended. Paul Fagan received a six-year sentence with the final three and a half years suspended on conditions. Aaron King, the youngest defendant, was sentenced to four and a half years with the final 18 months suspended on conditions. The judge noted mitigating factors such as guilty pleas, remorse, and evidence of rehabilitation for all defendants.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, Stacey Harcourt, 41, pleaded guilty to unlawful cultivation of cannabis at her home. The court found that she had grown the plant from seed, clipped the leaves, and used about five grams each evening for pain relief after her skin cancer diagnosis in 2010 and subsequent chemotherapy failure. Gardaí seized 448 grams of cannabis herb, valued at €8,966. Harcourt, who had eight neck operations and 15 malignant melanoma operations, claimed she never sold the plant. Judge Martina Baxter, after a Probation Service assessment, imposed 240 hours of community service in lieu of a two‑year prison term, citing Harcourt's remorse, rehabilitation efforts, and cancer‑free status. The sentence also noted her prior convictions for traffic offences and a 2005 incident involving a post officer raider. Harcourt expressed gratitude to the judge and stated she would try to reduce her use but could not stop entirely.
Debbie Paget, 55, of Knowth Court, Ballymun, was convicted by a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court jury in May 2023 of dishonestly inducing by deception James Byrne to give her €10,000 after claiming his deceased father told her to ask for the money and that the devil would take his soul if he did not. She was also charged with inducing Byrne's sister, Maria, to give her €200, but the jury returned a not guilty verdict on that count. Paget pleaded not guilty to both charges. The judge described her as an "old‑fashioned confidence trickster" and sentenced her to 18 months' imprisonment, suspending the final six months on strict conditions. The case was heard in Dublin, with the judge noting that Byrne was a vulnerable person who believed the supernatural threat. No evidence was presented as to where the money was spent.
The trial of Thomas McConnell, accused of the murder of Gareth Hutch, has been adjourned and must restart due to the illness of Judge David McHugh. At the Special Criminal Court, presiding judge Mr Justice Alex Owens informed the parties that the trial, which began on June 8, would be re-constituted with District Court Judge Grainne Malone replacing Judge McHugh. Both the prosecution and defense agreed to restart proceedings the following morning. Mr McConnell, 37, of Ballymun, Dublin 11, pleaded not guilty to the alleged murder of Mr Hutch, 36, which occurred on May 24, 2016, at Avondale House, North Cumberland Street, Dublin 1. The prosecution alleges that Mr McConnell and Jonathan Keogh used Mary McDonnell's nearby apartment to surveil the victim, subsequently following and shooting him. Mr McConnell is the fourth person to face trial for this offense; Regina Keogh, Jonathan Keogh, and Thomas Fox were previously found guilty by the court in November 2018. Following the adjournment, opening speeches will be delivered again, and Mr McConnell will be re-arraigned. The defense counsel, Patrick McGrath SC, stated his client preferred restarting immediately rather than waiting for Judge McHugh's availability. The trial is expected to conclude by July 31, the end of the current legal term.
Mary McDonnell, a key witness in the Special Criminal Court trial of Thomas McConnell for the murder of Gareth Hutch, told the court that she is only "half and half" on identifying one of the gunmen. She confirmed she could identify Jonathan Keogh, whom she had known for many years, but she could not identify the second man who was in her flat on the day of the murder. McDonnell agreed that CCTV footage from a shop showed Keogh with Thomas McConnell on the day of the shooting, and she said the second person "could be" the man she saw in her apartment with Keogh as they waited to ambush Hutch. She stated that when pressured by Gardaí, she admitted she was not "one hundred per cent" certain and was "half and half" in her identification. Thomas McConnell pleaded not guilty.
Mary McDonnell, a mother of two, testified at the Special Criminal Court that two men, including Jonathan Keogh, barged into her apartment on the morning of Gareth Hutch's murder. She said they used her flat as a lookout, watched Hutch's apartment from a window, and signalled to Keogh that they were ready. McDonnell described how Keogh and an unnamed second man, who she described as "blocky" and wearing a hoodie, entered her home, put on gloves left by Regina Keogh, and monitored a black car parked outside. She reported hearing three bangs and later learning that Keogh had shot Hutch. McDonnell's testimony, which will continue the following day, is part of the trial of Thomas McConnell, who has pleaded not guilty to the murder of Hutch. The trial is presided over by Mr Justice Alex Owens, Judge Elma Sheahan and Judge David McHugh.
In a Special Criminal Court hearing on 16 June 2023, it was revealed that Mary McDonnell, a "vulnerable" witness who gave evidence in the gangland murder trial of three men, has no formal security arrangement with the State. McDonnell received immunity for her testimony but was deemed unsuitable for the Witness Protection Programme. Garda liaison officer Sergeant Fergal Finnegan confirmed that the arrangement with McDonnell is informal, with no written protocols or guarantees for her future security or finances. Former liaison officer Sgt Aoife Reilly acknowledged McDonnell's vulnerability but denied that her protection depends on her giving evidence, stating that any protection is based on a risk assessment and that her entitlements will revert to normal social welfare once the Garda arrangement ends. The trial of Thomas McConnell, who denies the murder of Gareth Hutch, continues under the same conditions. Thomas McConnell pleaded not guilty.
The Special Criminal Court is hearing the trial of Thomas McConnell, 37, who has pleaded not guilty to the murder of Gareth Hutch, 36, on May 24, 2016, at Avondale House, North Cumberland Street, Dublin 1. Prosecution alleges McConnell and Jonathan Keogh planned the killing and used protected witness Mary McDonnell's apartment to surveil the victim. Defence counsel Pat McGrath SC challenged McDonnell's identification of McConnell, noting she told gardai she was "not really one hundred per cent" sure, describing her certainty as "half and half." She identified a second man in CCTV footage as the shooter based on his "square face" but did not know his name. The court is now examining the procedures used by gardai to obtain her statement. In a related November 2018 finding, the Special Criminal Court convicted Regina Keogh, Jonathan Keogh, and Thomas Fox of the murder. Fox was also convicted of unlawfully possessing a Makarov 9 mm handgun on May 23, 2016. The trial continues before Mr Justice Alex Owens, Judge Elma Sheahan, and Judge David McHugh.
In a Special Criminal Court hearing on 12 June 2023, witnesses described the moment Ross Hutch, a cousin of Gareth Hutch, discovered his nephew's body at Avondale House after a shooting. Ross was seen clutching his head, roaring, and screaming "oh, no, no, no" as he approached the body lying between two cars. Video showed the shooting, with two gunmen firing at Gareth before fleeing. Ross chased the men through a pedestrian exit. Gardaí reported a volatile scene with up to 50 people shouting abuse. Ross told officers "do your job" and later said "It's the f**king feud." Thomas McConnell, 37, pleaded not guilty to the murder of Gareth Hutch, 36, which occurred on 24 May 2016. The court heard evidence of the shooting, the weapons used, and the post‑mortem report indicating four gunshot wounds. The trial was set to continue the following day.
In a Special Criminal Court hearing on 8 June 2023, Thomas McConnell, aged 37, pleaded not guilty to the murder of Gareth Hutch, aged 36, which occurred on 24 May 2016 outside Avondale House, North Cumberland Street, Dublin 1. Prosecutor Fiona Murphy SC presented evidence that McConnell, along with Jonathan Keogh, Regina Keogh, and Thomas Fox, were part of a pre‑planned ambush. The prosecution alleged that a black BMW and a Skoda Octavia were used as getaway vehicles, that McConnell was seen walking to the Skoda before the shooting, and that he and Keogh carried handguns to the scene. Witness Mary McDonell, who had provided a flat for the shooters, was granted immunity and is a key witness. The court heard that McConnell was involved in the careful planning and execution of the murder, which was described as pre‑meditated and brutal. The trial continues before Judges Alex Owens, Elma Sheahan and David McHugh.
Valerie McGovern, 57, of Ballymun, pleaded guilty to two separate violent assaults. In October 2018 she head‑butted and bit Patricia Nolan, pulling her to the ground and causing cuts and a bite mark. Nolan declined hospital treatment and later moved away. In August 2020 McGovern attacked Aishling Groves, waving a kitchen knife, attempting to slice her face and stabbing her on the neck. Groves was hospitalized for 12 days, including intensive care, and received 20 stitches. McGovern had eight prior convictions. Judge Elma Sheahan sentenced her to four years and four months, suspending the final eight months on strict conditions. The sentence includes a two‑year term for the 2018 assault and a two‑year‑four‑month term for the 2020 assault, to run consecutively, with the suspended portion subject to probation supervision. The judge noted McGovern's guilty pleas, efforts to address alcohol addiction, and the serious escalation of her offences.
Debbie Paget, 56, of Knowth Court, Ballymun, Dublin, was found guilty by a jury of dishonestly inducing by deception James Byrne to give her €10,000, after she claimed her deceased father had instructed him to do so. The jury returned a not guilty verdict on a second charge of inducing Maria Byrne to give her €200. Paget pleaded not guilty to both offences. The trial, held at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, lasted a little over four hours. Judge Pauline Codd remanded Paget on continuing bail until July 10 for a sentence hearing. Paget thanked the jury and described the case as highly unusual, noting her long‑standing reputation as a psychic medium. She denied ever charging for readings or receiving money from the complainants. The case highlighted the use of alleged supernatural claims to obtain funds.
A jury at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court has begun deliberations in the trial of a woman accused of defrauding two siblings of €10,200 through representations involving spiritual communications. Debbie Paget, of Knowth Court, Ballymun, Dublin, has pleaded not guilty to two counts of dishonestly obtaining money by deception from James Byrne and Maria Byrne. The prosecution alleges that Ms Paget, who worked as a home carer, conducted purported readings during which she claimed their deceased father had instructed them to provide her with cash totals. Mr Byrne testified he withdrew €10,000 from his bank account and gave it to the accused following such a session. His sister stated she provided €200 after similar representations. Ms Paget denied conducting readings for the complainants or receiving any money from them, maintaining she has offered psychic services free of charge for four decades. Judge Pauline Codd completed her legal directions to the jury, which commenced deliberations on the afternoon of 15 May 2023 and will resume the following day.
Debbie Paget, a self-described psychic medium, is on trial at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, where she has pleaded not guilty to two counts of dishonestly by deception. The prosecution alleges she induced James Byrne and Maria Byrne to provide two sums of cash totalling €10,200 by claiming their deceased father instructed them to do so. Complainant James Byrne testified that during a reading, Paget told him his father said to give her €10,000, adding that failure to comply would be a sin. He stated he felt pressured and subsequently handed her the money in an envelope. His sister, Maria Byrne, testified that she gave Paget €200 after being told her deceased father communicated with the accused. Paget denied all allegations, telling gardai she had never charged for her services and did not conduct readings for the Byrnes. She claimed the siblings were attempting to destroy her life and noted that Mr Byrne had previously gifted her a television and a freezer. Under cross-examination, Mr Byrne acknowledged a 2000 conviction for sexual offences but argued his past was irrelevant. The matter is currently at the trial stage before Judge Pauline Codd and a jury, and the proceedings continue.
At the Special Criminal Court, Paul Murphy (61) and Jason Bonney (52) were sentenced for participating in the 2016 murder of David Byrne by providing getaway vehicles. The three-judge panel found both men guilty of contributing to the killing by facilitating the removal of two gunmen from the scene. Ms Justice Tara Burns, sitting with Judges Sarah Berkeley and Grainne Malone, described their assistance as intentional and organised, noting they acted in concert with four other vehicles in a planned operation. The court rejected defence arguments that their role was minor, finding they knew a serious criminal event was planned. Murphy, who has 67 previous convictions, received a nine-year sentence backdated to March 17. Bonney, who has no prior record, was sentenced to eight and a half years, backdated to April 14. The judge set a headline sentence of ten years for both, reducing it based on personal circumstances. Separately, Gerard "The Monk" Hutch was acquitted of the murder charge in the same case. The court found it could not rely on the unsupported evidence of a witness to convict him. These sentences conclude the sentencing phase for the convicted defendants, while Hutch remains free following his acquittal.
Gerard Hutch, who was acquitted last month by the Special Criminal Court of murdering Kinahan Cartel member David Byrne at the Regency Hotel, has applied to recover his legal costs from the State. The State has indicated it will oppose the application, which is scheduled to be heard on Friday. The hearing will occur alongside the sentencing of Paul Murphy and Jason Bonney, both convicted of acting as getaway drivers during the February 2016 hotel attack. Murphy, a taxi driver from Swords, and Bonney, a builder from Portmarnock, were each found guilty of participating in or contributing to Byrne's murder by providing access to motor vehicles. During sentencing submissions at the Special Criminal Court, defence counsel emphasised Murphy's long involvement in the taxi business and advanced age, and highlighted Bonney's previously unblemished record, community contributions, and voluntary work with boxing clubs. Ms Justice Tara Burns, presiding with two other judges, adjourned sentencing to Friday at ten o'clock.
A 38‑year‑old man, Brian McHugh, has been charged with the murder of 52‑year‑old youth worker Lisa Thompson, who was found dead with multiple stab wounds in her Dublin home on 10 May 2022. A co‑accused, Deirdre Arnold, 40, faces a charge of impeding the prosecution or apprehension of the alleged murderer between 9 May and 11 July 2022. Mr Justice Paul McDermott set a trial date for 26 February 2024, with case management to finish by 21 July 2023, and the trial is expected to last four weeks.