A bench warrant has been issued for Barry Moore, the alleged victim in the trial of four men accused of assaulting and falsely imprisoning him in a Dublin house. The men, including Jason Hennessy Jr, Brandon Hennessy, Kenneth Fitzsimons, and Dean Fitzsimons, are charged with false imprisonment, causing serious harm, and participating in a criminal organization. The prosecution case relies heavily on Moore's testimony, which has not been presented in court. The Special Criminal Court granted the application for a bench warrant after Moore failed to appear. The trial has been advanced quickly, and the court is concerned about the lack of progress without Moore's attendance. The court has adjourned the matter for a week to allow for further preparation. The case involves the production of a branding stamp, an axe, and a steel bar during the assault. The court emphasized the importance of proceeding with the trial and avoiding unnecessary delays.
In the Court of Appeal, Mr Justice Peter Charleton dismissed Feliks Andrianov's appeal against his conviction for assault causing harm. Andrianov, who represented himself, had argued that subsidised jury lunches created bias, but the judge found no rational basis for such a claim. He also rejected Andrianov's allegations of judicial bias, claims that the judge had created a "psychological relation" with the jury, and that the judge had allowed the court to view videos of the assault. The judge noted that the evidence from body‑cam and CCTV was admissible and that Andrianov's statements about the judge and his own actions were unfounded. The appeal was rejected, and the original sentence of 18 months suspended for 18 months was upheld. The case remains at the trial stage, with no further review of the sentence requested.
Sarah Jane Byrne, 37, and Jamie Moss, 22, were remanded in custody by the Special Criminal Court until 1 December after pleading guilty to firearms offences. Byrne admitted possession of a 9mm Makarov pistol, 27 rounds of 9mm Luger ammunition, a 12‑gauge sawn‑off Beretta shotgun and a Tokarev submachine gun, all found during a Garda operation on 16 February 2024 at Old Navan Road, Blanchardstown. Moss admitted possession of a 9mm Makarov pistol and a 9mm Makarov Sellier and Bellot round of ammunition, also seized on the same day. Byrne's counsel described her as a vulnerable woman with mental health and addiction problems, who stored firearms to pay a debt to drug dealers and had recently overcome addiction but relapsed after a cancer diagnosis. Moss's counsel highlighted his recent completion of a carpentry apprenticeship and community respect. Both defendants had no prior convictions and were considered low risk of reoffending.
Space commentator David Moore was found personally liable for breaches of employment rights against former Astronomy Ireland manager Sonya Martin, who claimed constructive dismissal and a toxic workplace. After four hearings over 11 months, the Workplace Relations Commission ordered Moore, the club and three other committee members to pay €10,784.60 to Martin. The tribunal awarded her €3,076.92 for constructive dismissal and €7,707 for unpaid statutory leave and lack of a written statement. Martin's case alleged bullying, harassment, financial irregularities, and that the club had no board, making her State grant applications invalid. Moore repeatedly objected to being named in the claim, citing libel, and left hearings in protest. The decision was issued within 42 days of the ruling.
In a case heard on 23 October 2025, Nafisa Xussein, aged 57, was sentenced to a nine‑month term of imprisonment for careless driving causing serious bodily harm after she collided with a motorbike on the M50 northbound at junction 6, Blanchardstown. The collision left the motorcyclist with a broken wrist, fractures to his collarbone, ribs and pelvis, and bruising to his right lung and pelvis area. The victim, a semi‑retired diving instructor, described the injuries as having "irrevocably changed" his life, requiring four weeks in hospital, three surgeries and extensive physiotherapy. Xussein pleaded guilty to the single count of careless driving, had no prior convictions, and cooperated fully with Gardaí. The judge, Jonathan Dunphy, accepted her apology and mitigating circumstances, including her role as a single mother, and imposed a nine‑month sentence suspended for 12 months, with no driving disqualification. The sentence was delivered in the presence of the victim's impact statement.
A 55‑year‑old taxi driver, Feliks Andrianov, appealed his conviction for assaulting a security guard at a McDonald's restaurant near Dublin Airport. He argued that the jury's subsidised lunch created a "psychological relation" with the State, biasing the verdict, and that the trial judge was biased by questioning the jury about their meal. Andrianov claimed his defence team failed to present a legitimate defence, that CCTV footage was admitted without verification, and that he was denied the right to finish his testimony. He also alleged misdirection regarding the offence under the Non‑Fatal Offences Act and that his counsel had not followed his instructions. The Director of Public Prosecutions countered that the judge's rulings were justified and that the evidence was admissible. The court will reserve judgment on the appeal.
Dublin Circuit Criminal Court sentenced Michael Tuite and Patrick Morgan for their roles in the burglary of six commercial units at Premier Business Park, Ballycoolin, and a subsequent high-speed chase. Both men entered signed guilty pleas to six counts of burglary and possession of an implement with intent. Tuite additionally pleaded guilty to endangerment, unauthorised taking of a vehicle, and unlawful escape from custody, while Morgan pleaded guilty to assault causing harm and allowing himself to be carried in a vehicle without consent. Judge Martin Nolan sentenced Tuite to six years' imprisonment and disqualified him from driving for six years. The judge noted Morgan was less culpable and imposed a five-year sentence. Both defendants were directed to receive credit for time spent in custody. The court heard that Tuite escaped custody by climbing a wall at Blanchardstown District Court, dropping 15ft, before being apprehended nearby. Morgan's detention was suspended due to his level of intoxication. The judge described Tuite's driving as "pretty disgraceful" and noted both men were aggressive during arrest. Mitigation included their guilty pleas, expressions of remorse, and efforts to address addiction issues.
Mihail Trofim, 27, was sentenced to six months' imprisonment after failing to attend his original sentencing hearing for careless driving causing serious bodily harm. The offence occurred on 8 June 2022 when his Mercedes struck a pedestrian on Old Navan Road, Blanchardstown, at 83–88 km/h in a 60 km/h zone. The victim, a 32‑year‑old musician, sustained catastrophic injuries, including brain damage, broken limbs and ribs, and now requires a wheelchair and constant care. Trofim pleaded guilty to the charge and to having no insurance, which he had purchased from a fraudulent broker. Judge Martin Nolan noted Trofim's lack of courage to appear, his failure to arrange a timely court appearance, and the aggravating impact on the victim's family. He was also disqualified from driving for five years. The court adjourned the case to allow for sentencing, which was carried out today.
Pedro Cifali, 37, a Brazilian, will be sentenced on 9 February 2025 for attempting to murder his former partner, Lucia Nezbalova, 43, in Dublin. He electronically tracked her car, disguised himself, and stabbed her at her home in Garnish Square, causing severe injuries that required surgery. Nezbalova suffered life‑threatening wounds and now endures PTSD, anxiety and depression. Cifali pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity and has no prior record. He has been in custody since the incident and has shown progress. The court adjourned sentencing to 9 February, with the prosecution seeking a headline sentence of 15 to 20 years, citing the extreme violence, premeditation and domestic abuse context. The case remains at the sentencing stage, with no further outcomes reported.
Two men, Robert Burns (59) and Lorenzo Cantaragiu (22), were sentenced by Mr Justice Tony Hunt at the Central Criminal Court for aiding the murder of Mahamud Ilyas (22). Burns provided a house for drug dealing and allowed the killers to use it; he also cleaned blood from the premises. Cantaragiu drove the killers from the scene to Belgree Lane in Co Meath, where Ilyas was left to die, and later cleaned the car. Both were given four‑year prison terms with the entirety suspended, meaning they walk free today but must remain of good behaviour for four years or risk serving the term. They also face a one‑year probation bond and must attend programmes recommended by the probation service. The judge warned them to avoid further criminal activity and to address Burns' cannabis use, which he said had drawn the killers into his life. Lorenzo Cantaragiu was convicted.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing, 37‑year‑old Pedro Cifali, a Brazilian, was charged with attempting to murder his former partner, Lucia Nezbalova, 43. After their breakup in April 2024, Cifali placed an electronic tag on Nezbalova's car, enabling him to track her movements. On the day of the attack, CCTV captured him arriving at a Blanchardstown garage, disguising himself with a baseball cap, blonde wig, and lighter beard, and then following Nezbalova to a McDonald's. He approached her at her home in Garnish Square, claiming to "just want to talk," before pulling a knife and stabbing her in the neck, back of the head, abdomen, and arms. The abdominal wound exposed organs; doctors at the scene and in hospital saved her life. Nezbalova suffered life‑threatening injuries, ongoing treatment, and permanent scars. Cifali surrendered the next day and admitted the assault. Pedro Cifali pleaded guilty.
Devon Hennessy, aged 29, pleaded guilty before the Special Criminal Court to false imprisonment and assault causing serious harm against Barry Moore at a Dublin 15 house on 12 February 2025. He admitted that the assault was part of a joint enterprise to enhance a criminal organisation's ability to commit serious offences. Hennessy was remanded in custody until 7 October for sentencing. Four co‑accused—Jason Hennessy Jr (28), Brandon Hennessy (22), Kenneth Fitzsimons (45) and Dean Fitzsimons—remain awaiting trial. They face charges of false imprisonment, serious harm, and participation in a criminal organisation, with additional allegations of intimidation, threat of property damage, and use of a steel breaker bar and branding stamp. The court will consider these charges in the upcoming term.
A seventeen‑year‑old, who was fifteen when the offences occurred, pleaded guilty to false imprisonment, theft of a €1,300 iPhone, and threatening to kill the victim's family dog. The court heard that the teenager followed a nineteen‑year‑old bus passenger in Clonsilla, forced him to withdraw €50, and later took his phone and driver's licence. He then brought the victim to an apartment, produced knives, threatened to slice him, and demanded the victim remove his clothes. The teenager later entered the victim's home, stole a Nike tracksuit, an Under Armour top, Nike runners, a PlayStation, and a jacket worth €1,751, and forced the victim to transfer €500 from his Revolut account. No money or items were recovered. The defendant was on bail at the time of the offence and had ten prior convictions, including seven for theft. The case was adjourned for sentencing.
The Special Criminal Court will hear the trials of five men charged with false imprisonment, assault and the production of weapons used in the assault of a man in Dublin on 12 February 2025. The accused are Jason Hennessy Jr (28), Brandon Hennessy (22) and Devon Hennessy (29) from Blanchardstown, and Kenneth Fitzsimons (45) and his 26‑year‑old son Dean Fitzsimons from Mulhuddart. All five are charged with assaulting the victim to aid a criminal organisation, causing serious harm, and false imprisonment. Jason Hennessy Jr is additionally charged with threatening property damage and producing a branding stamp to intimidate. Brandon Hennessy is charged with producing a steel breaker bar. Devon Hennessy is charged with producing a metal branding stamp. Dean Fitzsimons is charged with threatening to kill or cause serious harm, producing a metal branding stamp and a steel breaker bar. Kenneth Fitzsimons is charged with producing a steel breaker bar and an axe.
Jamie Moss, 22, of Ballyfermot, pleaded guilty at the Special Criminal Court to two offences of possessing a 9mm Makarov semi-automatic pistol and one round of ammunition without lawful purpose. The charges relate to an incident on February 16, 2024, at Old Navan Road, Blanchardstown. Moss's co-accused, Sarah Jane Byrne, 27, previously pleaded guilty in June to five offences. These included possession of the same 9mm Makarov pistol and ammunition, as well as 27 rounds of Luger 9mm ammunition, a 12-gauge sawn-off Beretta shotgun, and a Tokarev submachine gun, all allegedly held without lawful purpose at the same location on February 16, 2024. The State requested that the cases be joined, noting Byrne's sentencing hearing is listed for October 20. Defence counsel Carol Doherty BL requested a probation report for Moss, highlighting his recent completion of education. Ms Justice Karen O'Connor directed the preparation of the probation report and remanded Moss on continuing bail. The matter was adjourned to October 20 for sentencing, with the court indicating the proceedings for both accused would be joined at that stage.
An 18‑year‑old Dubliner, who was a minor when he first appeared before the courts, was sentenced by the Special Criminal Court to an additional three years and eight months in prison for burying a sawn‑off shotgun, ammunition and drugs worth more than €55,000 for the Hennessy crime gang. He had previously pleaded guilty to possession of a side‑by‑side shotgun, cannabis, diamorphine and Phenacetin, and to possession of 15 rounds of 9 × 18 mm Makarov ammunition and ten 12‑Gauge ELEY cartridges. The judge imposed a headline sentence of seven and a half years for the shotgun offence, but, after suspending one year and four months, the final term was three years and eight months, to run consecutively with his existing 28‑month sentence for violent disorder at Browne's Steakhouse. Additional concurrent sentences of 20 months for Phenacetin, 18 months for cannabis and three years and four months for diamorphine were also imposed.
Mr Justice Tony Hunt adjourned the sentencing of Lorenzo Cantaragiu and Robert Burns to July 30 for finalisation. Both men were convicted of impeding the prosecution or apprehension of Mahamud Ilyas's murderers, Viorel Doroscan and Otniel Richardo Clejan, who were sentenced to life imprisonment on June 23 for the murder of Mr Ilyas on December 9, 2022. Cantaragiu, who pleaded not guilty but was unanimously convicted by a jury in May, is alleged to have driven the perpetrators to a remote area in Co Meath. His defence counsel, Michael Lynn SC, highlighted that Cantaragiu has been attacked in prison, labelled a "rat," and placed in 23-hour protective custody. Counsel argued that Cantaragiu, who was 19 at the time, provided assistance to gardaí and abandoned the perpetrators. Burns, who pleaded guilty during the trial to cleaning blood from the crime scene, was represented by Lorcan Staines SC, who requested a non-custodial sentence, citing Burns' fear, age, and role as a primary carer. The court heard that Burns had previous convictions and a medium risk of generic reoffending due to cannabis use. The matter remains adjourned pending finalisation.
John O'Brien, a field sales rep for PrePayPower, claimed constructive dismissal after facing escalating abuse from customers amid record energy price inflation. He said he was forced to quit in late 2022 and early 2023 after encountering abusive, intoxicated, and physically threatening customers in Dublin. O'Brien reported incidents to his managers, who he said responded indifferently or hostilely, and that he was told to stop contacting them about minor incidents. He resigned in March 2023, citing mental health and loss of faith in the company. The Workplace Relations Commission rejected his claim, finding that while his managers' behaviour was unreasonable, it did not justify immediate resignation. The commission upheld a separate complaint under the Terms of Employment (Information) Act, ordering PrePayPower to pay €1,000 for breach of contract.
Sumod George Sam, 45, pleaded guilty at Tallaght District Court to being in charge of a vehicle while exceeding the legal breath alcohol limit. The court heard that on August 9, 2023, Garda Dylan O'Malley found Sam asleep at the wheel of a white Honda Insight on Greenhills Road, Dublin 12, with the engine running and an empty vodka bottle in the passenger seat. A subsequent breath analysis recorded 99 micrograms of alcohol per 100ml of breath. Sam, who resides in Terenure, Dublin 6, had a previous drink-driving conviction and was already serving a three-year disqualification imposed in May 2024. Defence counsel Lauren Flanagan BL described the incident as an act of "stupidity" while Sam was "partying with friends," noting his remorse and willingness to undertake a driver awareness course. Judge Patricia McNamara described the alcohol level as "extremely dangerous." The court convicted Sam and imposed a five-year driving disqualification, effectively extending his existing ban by three years. Additionally, a four-month prison sentence was imposed, suspended for two years on Sam's own bond of €400. Conditions require him not to drive or be in control of a vehicle and to remain of sober habits. Sam had already surrendered his licence to Blanchardstown Garda Station.
Myles Smith, 22, had his dangerous driving conviction overturned at the District Court Appeals Court after Judge Jonathan Dunphy viewed a Snapchat video allegedly proving Smith was in the passenger seat during a Garda pursuit. Smith, of Clonsilla, Dublin 15, had previously pleaded not guilty to dangerous driving, driving without insurance, driving without a licence, and two counts of failure to produce documents. In the District Court, he was disqualified from driving for two years and fined €450 for dangerous driving, fined €400 for no insurance, and fined €300 for no licence. Defence counsel Aoife McNickle BL presented video evidence showing Smith in the passenger seat while Garda lights were visible. The State, represented by Clare Barry, argued the footage was edited and that Smith was the driver. Judge Dunphy stated that after numerous viewings, he had doubt over who was driving and found no satisfactory evidence Smith was the driver. He allowed the appeal, quashing the conviction. The report does not specify the finalisation status of the other charges or any adjournments for them.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing, 39‑year‑old Ryan Kearney pleaded not guilty to the murder of 50‑year‑old Jeffrey Jackson. Kearney told Gardaí that he had stabbed Jackson in the neck but did not kill him, claiming the victim was a friend. He was arrested on suspicion of murder on 8 February 2024 after arriving at The Lamps in Kilcock. Garda Detective Sergeant Gerard Moore testified that Kearney had tried to stop a neck wound and was unaware of a severe abdominal stab. Kearney was found intoxicated, with slurred speech and an alcohol odor, and was deemed unfit for questioning for six hours. The prosecution presented evidence of 16 knife wounds, describing the attack as ferocious, which contradicted Kearney's self‑defence claim. The trial proceeded before Mr Justice Paul Burns and a jury.
Two drug dealers, Viorel Doroscan (23) and Otniel Richardo Clejan (24), were sentenced to life imprisonment at the Central Criminal Court for the murder of 22‑year‑old footballer Mahamud Ilyas. The court heard that the pair beat Ilyas in an apartment in Blanchardstown, stamped on him, kicked him, and struck his head with a hammer. They tied his hands and feet, wrapped him in a duvet and drove him to a wooded area at Belgree Lane, Co. Meath, where they left him to die. The judge described the killers' conduct as "massive loss of control" and "callous". Ilyas's mother, Muna Ali, spoke of her son's promise and the pain of his death. The sentencing followed a unanimous jury conviction of murder. The case also involved co‑accused Robert Burns and Lorenzo Cantaragiu, who pleaded guilty to impeding the arrest or prosecution of the killers.
Eamon Moran, 51, a retired detective garda, had an eight‑month custodial sentence for harassment of a woman—sending unwanted texts and calls between 2021 and 2023—fully suspended for two years on appeal. The suspension required him to avoid contact with the victim and her family, stay one kilometre from her home, continue medical rehabilitation, and attend Alcoholics Anonymous meetings. In October 2024, Judge David McHugh reactivated the sentence after Moran emailed and called the victim in September 2024, breaching the conditions. The victim reported the breaches, citing anxiety and stress. Moran did not contest the breach. Counsel Niamh Ní Aonghusa argued that Moran misinterpreted the non‑relationship and expressed remorse, noting his deteriorating health following a 2012 attack. Judge Sinéad McMullan, considering his health, fully suspended the eight‑month sentence again for two years, reaffirming the conditions of no further contact, distance from the victim's home, ongoing medical care, and AA attendance. The unnamed woman pleaded guilty and was convicted.
An 18-year-old defendant, previously convicted of violent disorder during the fatal assault on Tristan Sherry at Browne's Steakhouse, pleaded guilty to multiple offences at the Special Criminal Court. The charges relate to incidents at Tolka Valley Park, Blanchardstown, on May 7/8, 2024, including the possession of a side-by-side shotgun, 15 rounds of 9mm Makarov ammunition, and ten 12 Gauge shotgun cartridges. He also faced charges for possessing controlled drugs, including cannabis, diamorphine, cocaine, ketamine, and Phenacetin, allegedly for supply. Garda evidence indicated the defendant was burying these items for the Hennessy criminal gang. The court heard that the defendant is currently serving a sentence of two years and four months for the earlier violent disorder conviction, with the final year suspended. Defence counsel argued the defendant acted under the direction of others and cited his difficult background. Judge Karen O'Connor, presiding, adjourned the matter to July 7 for sentencing. The defendant was 17 at the time of the park offences but has since turned 18. The court noted the separate conviction for violent disorder arising from the Christmas Eve 2023 incident where Sherry was beaten to death.
Alexandru Enacke, 32, of Hazelgrove Estate, Tallaght, appeared before Tallaght District Court after a Garda stop at Killinarden on 5 December 2023. He was found driving a Mercedes with a fake AXA insurance disc and a false NCT disc, while the vehicle was uninsured, had no valid NCT, and Enacke held no valid Irish driving licence. He pleaded guilty to driving without insurance, driving without a valid licence, and using false insurance and NCT discs with intent to mislead. Enacke had eight prior convictions, including two for driving without insurance, and had been disqualified for two years in February 2024. The court, hearing his defence that a policy had lapsed due to a typo, rejected his explanation. Judge Patricia McNamara sentenced him to eight months in prison, suspended for two years, a five‑year driving disqualification, a €650 fine, and required him to sign a bond and comply with existing disqualifications.
Sarah Jane Byrne, a 27‑year‑old mother from Drimnagh, appeared before the Special Criminal Court and pleaded guilty to five offences involving firearms. She admitted possession of a 9mm Makarov pistol and ammunition, 27 rounds of Luger 9mm ammo, a sawn‑off Beretta shotgun, and a Tokarev submachine gun, with the items located at Old Navan Road and her home. Byrne, who has been attending a rehabilitation programme for addiction, was released on continuing bail. The court set a sentencing hearing for 20 October and ordered a probation report.
An eBay customer‑support agent, Eanna Donoghue, who had worked for the company for almost seven years, resigned on 5 March 2024 after receiving a written warning for "work avoidance" following a four‑minute period of inactivity on his computer. Donoghue claimed that personal tragedies, including a friend's death in Navan, had affected him and that the warning was unfair. He also alleged that the warning was linked to earlier grievances he had filed against managers. The Workplace Relations Commission tribunal rejected his constructive dismissal claim under the Unfair Dismissals Act 1977. The tribunal found that the warning was justified, noting that any period over 60 seconds of inactivity was considered work avoidance, and that Donoghue had not raised a grievance before resigning. The decision upheld the written warning and dismissed the claim.
The Special Criminal Court has sentenced three defendants convicted of murder and three others for violent disorder arising from the Christmas Eve 2023 killing of Tristan Sherry at Browne's Steakhouse in Blanchardstown. Mr Justice Kerida Naidoo sentenced David Amah (19) and an unnamed 18-year-old accomplice to 12 years' imprisonment, with the final three years suspended. Both were 17 at the time of the offence, meaning they were not subject to the mandatory life sentence, a position supported by recent Supreme Court rulings. Michael Andrecut (23), who was an adult at the time, was previously sentenced to the mandatory life term. For the violent disorder convictions, Brandon Hennessy (22) received four-and-a-half years, with the final six months suspended for one year. Jonas Kabangu (19) was sentenced to four years, with the final 12 months suspended for two years. An unnamed 18-year-old received two years and four months, with the final year suspended for two years. The judge noted the lack of premeditation and that the victims were disarmed when attacked, while emphasizing the need to deter unlawful violence.
The Central Criminal Court has convicted four men of offences arising from the murder of Mahamud Ilyas. Viorel Doroscan and Otniel Richardo Clejan, who pleaded not guilty, were unanimously convicted of murder and remanded in custody. They face a mandatory term of life imprisonment at a sentencing hearing scheduled for June 23. Lorenzo Cantaragiu, who also pleaded not guilty, was convicted of impeding the prosecution or apprehension of Doroscan and Clejan and cleaning his car to impede the prosecution. The jury rejected his defence that he acted under intimidation. Cantaragiu was remanded in custody until June 23, with a probation report directed. Robert Burns, who pleaded guilty to one count of cleaning the apartment where the assault occurred, had his remaining charges indicated for dismissal at a later hearing. The court described the disposal of the victim as grotesquely inhumane. The matter for all defendants is adjourned to June 23 for sentencing or further proceedings.
Two men, Viorel Doroscan (23) and Otniel Richardo Clejan (24), were found guilty of murdering 22‑year‑old Mahamud Ilyas after a dispute over a stolen bag of cannabis. The jury, after seven hours and 52 minutes of deliberation over four days, returned a unanimous verdict rejecting the defence's claim of self‑defence. The prosecution presented evidence that Doroscan and Clejan beat Ilyas to death, using a hammer and a fruit knife, and then disposed of his body in a wooded area on Belgree Lane, County Meath. Witnesses described Ilyas as bound, bleeding from the nose, and in pain while the accused shouted for the stolen drugs. The trial also considered the role of co‑accused Lorenzo Cantaragiu (21), who faced charges of impeding the prosecution and was found to have driven the accused and the deceased to the site. Viorel Doroscan pleaded not guilty. Otniel Richardo Clejan pleaded not guilty.
In the Central Criminal Court, jurors are deliberating a murder case involving Viorel Doroscan (23) and Otniel Richardo Clejan (24), who deny killing 22‑year‑old Mahamud Ilyas on 9 December 2022. The State alleges the men sold drugs and beat Ilyas after a dispute over a stolen cannabis bag, while the accused claim self‑defence after Ilyas entered an apartment with a weapon. Ilyas's body, found at Belgree Lane, Co Meath, shows blunt‑force head trauma typical of hammer blows. The jury, consisting of seven men and five women, has spent five hours and 35 minutes over three days and will resume on Tuesday. The judge explained that a verdict of murder requires proof of a joint enterprise to cause serious harm, while manslaughter could result if the death was due to unlawful assault without intent. The case also involves co‑accused Lorenzo Cantaragiu, who faces charges of impeding the prosecution and has pleaded not guilty.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing, Mr Justice Tony Hunt explained that two men, Viorel Doroscan (23) and Otniel Richardo Clejan (24), could be found guilty of murder if they were part of a joint enterprise that intended to kill or cause serious harm, and if one of them used a weapon to fatally wound 22‑year‑old Muhamud Ilyas during a dispute over a stolen cannabis bag. The judge noted that if one participant exceeded the agreed plan, only that person would be guilty of murder. He also clarified that a verdict of manslaughter could be reached if the jury found no intent to kill, or if the death resulted from an unlawful assault without intent. The judge further addressed the case of Lorenzo Cantaragiu, who faced charges of impeding the arrest of Doroscan and Clejan, and explained the evidential requirements for conviction. Viorel Doroscan pleaded not guilty. Otniel Richardo Clejan pleaded not guilty.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing, Lorenzo Cantaragiu, 21, was defended by Michael Lynn SC who argued that Cantaragiu was terrified when he drove alleged murderers Viorel Doroscan (23) and Otniel Richardo Clejan (24) from west Dublin to an isolated area where the victim, Muhamud Ilyas, was later found dead. Lynn said Cantaragiu believed he was at risk, had been threatened by the co‑accused, and had no way to escape. He claimed Cantaragiu told Gardaí he was shaking, had been beaten before, and feared for his family. Cantaragiu faces four charges of impeding prosecution or apprehension, having pleaded not guilty. The prosecution alleges the two men fatally assaulted Ilyas after a dispute over a stolen cannabis bag on 9 December 2022. Ilyas died from blunt‑force head trauma. The case is set for jury deliberation tomorrow.
An 18‑year‑old Dubliner, who was a minor when he appeared before the courts, was convicted of violent disorder in the melee that led to the death of steakhouse assassin Tristan Sherry. He has now pleaded guilty to a drugs offence, admitting possession of diamorphine for sale or supply on 8 May 2024 at Tolka Valley Park, Dublin 15. He had previously pleaded guilty to possession of a side‑by‑side shotgun, cannabis and 630 g of phenacetin, offences that were linked to drug trafficking on 7 May 2024. Fiona Murphy SC, for the Director of Public Prosecutions, said one of the 15 charges would be dropped at a later hearing and asked the court to consider the remainder when sentencing. Justice Karen O'Connor ordered a probation report and adjourned the sentencing to 18 June. The teenager remains awaiting sentence for the violent disorder offence that occurred at Browne's Steakhouse in Blanchardstown on Christmas Eve 2023.
Two men, Viorel Doroscan (23) and Otniel Richardo Clejan (24), are accused of murdering 22‑year‑old Mahamud Ilyas. Defence lawyers argue the accused acted in self‑defence, claiming Ilyas was the aggressor and the "prime mover". They present evidence that Ilyas was beaten and tied, with a hammer used by Clejan and a fruit knife by Doroscan. The prosecution alleges the men were drug dealers who lured Ilyas to a field where he was left in the cold. The defence maintains that the accused were not planning a murder and that Ilyas threatened them with a weapon. The trial continues with counsel for Lorenzo Cantaragiu giving his closing speech. The case is heard before Mr Justice Tony Hunt and a jury. Viorel Doroscan pleaded not guilty. Otniel Richardo Clejan pleaded not guilty.
Space commentator David Moore abandoned a Workplace Relations Commission hearing into claims that a former manager at Astronomy Ireland breached workplace rights by "pocketing" money meant for the society. The tribunal had adjourned the case repeatedly since June 2024, and an adjudicator had criticised Moore's approach as "delay, delay, delay" and said the matter would "never be heard". Moore and a solicitor for Astronomy Ireland walked out of the hearing room after the adjudicator said he would press on, despite objections from the respondents. The claimant, Sonya Martin, had worked at the society's Ballycoolin office from 2021 to July 2023, resigned under stress, and filed complaints under the Unfair Dismissals Act 1977, the Organisation of Working Time Act 1997 and the Terms of Employment (Information) Act 1995. Martin alleged that Moore and other committee members were personally attached to the case and that he had taken speaking‑fee revenue for himself.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing, the jury heard that Viorel Doroscan (23) and Otniel Richardo Clejan (24) were accused of murdering 22‑year‑old Mahamud Ilyas on 9 December 2022. Counsel for the Director of Public Prosecutions, Eoin Lawlor SC, described the use of a hammer as the accused's "modus operandi for conflict resolution" and said the body was disposed of in a field in bleak midwinter. Lawlor said the accused were drug dealers who had a joint enterprise to cause serious harm to Ilyas after he stole their drugs. He alleged that Clejan held a hammer and Doroscan held a knife while beating Ilyas, and that the body was wrapped and carried by the accused to a remote location. The trial continues tomorrow before Mr Justice Tony Hunt and a jury of five women and seven men. Viorel Doroscan pleaded not guilty. Otniel Richardo Clejan pleaded not guilty.
Jordan Ryan, 28, sold a financed car for €13,700 to a buyer who was unaware of the outstanding debt. Ryan had missed two repayments and had tried unsuccessfully to arrange a payment plan. After the buyer discovered the debt, Ryan paid €2,500 and later an additional €10,000 to the buyer. He pleaded guilty to deception on 9 February 2023. The court noted his addiction, gambling, mental health issues and a personal tragedy but said these did not excuse his conduct. Judge Elva Duffy imposed an 18‑month sentence, suspended in full on strict conditions, and ordered Ryan to pay €2,000 to the buyer within six months. The buyer remains €1,200 short of the original purchase price. The case was heard in the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
The Central Criminal Court trial of Viorel Doroscan and Otniel Ricardo Clejan, both accused of the murder of Mahamud Ilyas on December 9, 2022, continued before Mr Justice Tony Hunt. Both men have pleaded not guilty to the charge. The jury heard evidence that Mr Ilyas died from blunt force trauma to the head, with pathologist Dr Margaret Bolster describing depressed fractures typical of hammer blows. The State alleges the accused beat Mr Ilyas to death following a dispute over a stolen bag of cannabis. In contrast, the accused told gardaí they acted in self-defense after Mr Ilyas entered an apartment armed with a crowbar and threatening to kill them. Doroscan claimed Clejan struck Mr Ilyas with a hammer, while Clejan stated he only pushed Mr Ilyas away. Co-accused Lorenzo Cantaragiu, who has pleaded not guilty to charges of impeding the prosecution, told gardaí he drove the men to a field in Hollystown where he left Mr Ilyas alive in a ditch. The trial continues tomorrow.
Jamie Birmingham, 34, of Drumfinn Road, Ballyfermot, Dublin 10, was fined €1,300 by Tallaght District Court after a hearing that found he was driving a van on the N81 on 4 April 2020 without a licence, tax or insurance. Garda Michael Gleeson reported that Birmingham was stopped at 3.30am, failed to produce the required documents at a nominated Garda station, and had 39 prior convictions, including three for driving without insurance, violent behaviour at a Garda station and failure to comply with Garda direction. Earlier this year he received a four‑month suspended sentence and a four‑year driving ban for driving drunk and without insurance, and was convicted of three counts of no insurance at Blanchardstown District Court.
The trial of Viorel Doroscan and Otniel Richardo Clejan, both accused of the murder of Mahamud Ilyas on December 9, 2022, continued at the Central Criminal Court before Mr Justice Tony Hunt. Both defendants have pleaded not guilty to all charges. The jury viewed a Snapchat video allegedly showing the victim lying bloodied on the ground. Detective Inspector Liam Donoghue testified that the clip, posted as a 'Memory' from Mr Doroscan's account, was taken at 2.51pm on the day of the alleged incident in the Verdemont estate. He presented a visual match between the shoe in the video and CCTV footage of Mr Doroscan. Assistant State pathologist Dr Margaret Bolster previously attributed the death to blunt force trauma to the head, consistent with hammer blows. Witness Vlady Ndosimau testified to seeing the victim tied up and beaten while Mr Doroscan held a knife and Mr Clejan held a hammer. Co-accused Lorenzo Cantaragiu, who faces charges of impeding the prosecution, has also pleaded not guilty. The matter was adjourned and continues tomorrow.
At the Central Criminal Court, Michael Andrecut (23) of Sheephill Avenue, Blanchardstown, was sentenced to a mandatory life term for the murder of Tristan Sherry. David Amah (19) of Hazel Grove, Donabate, and a third man from Blanchardstown, who was 17 when charged, were also convicted of murder but are not subject to the mandatory sentence; their sentences are due to be finalised at a later stage. Separately, the Workplace Relations Commission ruled that San Siro Ltd, the operating company of Browne's Steakhouse, breached employment laws by failing to pay statutory redundancy to six former employees when the restaurant closed on Christmas Eve 2023. Adjudicator Catherine Byrne upheld complaints from general manager Vjola Ajredini, waitress Adisa Ajredini, and assistant manager Amanda Ajredini, awarding them sums between €1,032 and €6,154 for unpaid notice and compensation for working time breaches. The WRC also confirmed redundancy entitlements for kitchen porter Gedeminas Urbasius and head chef Ruslan Pazuschin. In total, the orders secure over €100,000 in payouts for employment rights breaches, including redundancy lump sums exceeding €86,000.
The Special Criminal Court adjourned sentencing for three men convicted of the murder of Tristan Sherry, who was fatally beaten after shooting Jason Hennessy Senior at Browne's Steakhouse on Christmas Eve 2023. Michael Andrecut (23) was sentenced to mandatory life imprisonment. David Amah (19) and an unnamed 18-year-old, both 17 at the time of the offence, were also convicted of murder but are not subject to the mandatory life sentence; their sentencing was adjourned to May. Brandon Hennessy (21) and Jonas Kabangu (19) were convicted of violent disorder arising from the incident, with their sentencing also adjourned. Separately, Jaures Kumbu (19) pleaded guilty to a firearms offence for removing the sub-machine gun used in the shooting. He was sentenced to three years in prison, with the final year suspended for two years. The court noted Kumbu had no prior convictions and acted under exceptional circumstances, though the weapon was never retrieved. The hearing included victim impact statements from Sherry's mother and sister, who described their ongoing fear and trauma. Counsel for the defendants highlighted their youth, lack of weapons, and brief involvement in the disorder. The matter was adjourned and not concluded.
A 22‑year‑old man, Mahamud Ilyas, was found dead in a field on 10 December 2022 after a fight over a stolen bag of cannabis. Assistant State Pathologist Dr Margaret Bolster testified that Ilyas sustained depressed skull fractures typical of hammer blows, along with multiple lacerations, bruises and scratches consistent with blunt‑force trauma. She noted extensive bruising to the face and body, and that the body was likely dragged after death. No evidence of sharp injuries or intoxication was found. The cause of death was blunt‑force trauma to the head. The accused, Viorel Doroscan (23) and Otniel Richardo Clejan (24), plead not guilty to the murder charge. The trial, held in the Central Criminal Court, continues before Mr Justice Tony Hunt and a jury. Lorenzo Cantaragiu (21) faces separate charges and also pleads not guilty.
Muhammad Butt, a 44-year-old taxi driver from Blanchardstown, Dublin 12, has lost his appeal against a conviction for careless driving under section 52 of the Road Traffic Act, 1961. Butt had pleaded not guilty to the charge, which alleged he struck a pregnant woman on Queen Street, Smithfield, on August 19, 2023. The District Court Appeals Court heard that the injured party, Mary Collins, was five months pregnant at the time and suffered a large bruise to her stomach. Collins testified that the vehicle hit her as she crossed the road, while Butt claimed she appeared suddenly and threw herself onto his car after he attempted to avoid her. Garda Stephen Lacey reported visible injuries to Collins and damage to Butt's vehicle. Judge Fiona O'Sullivan affirmed the lower court's findings, accepting the prosecution's evidence that Butt pulled out of his lane without indicating and accelerated. The judge found that Butt was driving with a lack of care and attention. Consequently, the appeal was dismissed, and the original District Court order was upheld, requiring Butt to pay a fine of 110 euro within 12 months.
During the Central Criminal Court hearing, a jury heard that Viorel Doroscan (23) and Otniel Richardo Clejan (24) denied murder charges for the death of Mahamud Ilyas on 9 December 2022. Witness Abdi‑Aziz Mohamed testified that Doroscan had told him, in a conversation on that day, that he and Clejan had struck Ilyas with a hammer during a fight and then left him on a field. Mohamed also recounted that Doroscan had made a "callout video" as a joke after claiming to be looking for a person who owed him money for cocaine. Mohamed described seeing a hammer in Doroscan's bag in August 2022 and later learning that Ilyas had been found dead. The jury heard that Doroscan and Clejan had pleaded not guilty to the murder charge, while Lorenzo Cantaragiu (21) faced separate charges of impeding prosecution. The court heard no verdict or sentencing, only the evidence presented at this stage of the trial.
The Central Criminal Court trial of Viorel Doroscan and Otniel Richardo Clejan for the alleged murder of Mahamud Ilyas on December 9, 2022, continued with witness evidence. Both accused have pleaded not guilty. Witness Vlady Ndosimau testified that he entered an apartment in Blanchardstown and saw Mr Ilyas restrained on the floor, bleeding from the nose. He described Mr Doroscan holding a fruit knife and shouting about missing drugs, while Mr Clejan held a hammer. Ndosimau stated he observed Mr Doroscan kicking and stamping on the deceased's body and Mr Clejan kicking him in the head and neck before he panicked and left. He learned two days later that Mr Ilyas had died. Also on trial, Lorenzo Cantaragiu denies charges of impeding the prosecution, while Robert Burns's charges were withdrawn following a prosecution accommodation. Under cross-examination, Ndosimau denied fabricating his account to avoid suspicion, stating he had previously omitted details to protect his family. The trial continues before Mr Justice Hunt and a jury.
The trial of four men charged in connection with the murder of Mahamud Ilyas continues at the Central Criminal Court before Mr Justice Tony Hunt. Viorel Doroscan and Otniel Richardo Clejan have pleaded not guilty to the murder of Mr Ilyas, whose body was found in Co. Meath in December 2022 with blunt force trauma to the head. Co-accused Robert Burns and Lorenzo Cantaragiu, who have also pleaded not guilty, face charges of impeding the prosecution. During proceedings, the jury viewed CCTV footage described by Garda Dermot Sloane as showing two figures in dark clothing carrying a red object containing the deceased to a parked car in Blanchardstown. The footage also depicted a BMW driven by Mr Cantaragiu travelling towards the scene and later returning. The prosecution, led by Eoin Lawlor SC, alleges the defendants were involved in drug supply and that Mr Ilyas was attacked after attempting to sell cannabis taken from Mr Burns's home. The matter is currently at the trial stage and has not been finalised; the proceedings continue.
The prosecution alleges that on 9 December 2022, 23‑year‑old Viorel Doroscan and 24‑year‑old Otniel Richardo Clejan murdered 22‑year‑old Mahamud Ilyas after a stolen bag of cannabis led to a confrontation at Robert Burns's home in Blanchardstown. Burns, 59, and Lorenzo Cantaragiu, 21, are accused of impeding the apprehension or prosecution of Doroscan and Clejan by committing various acts on the same day. According to the State, Ilyas was beaten to death, wrapped in a cloth, placed in a car, and taken to County Meath where his body was dumped in a wooded area on Belgree Lane. The accused deny all charges. The trial is set to continue before Mr Justice Tony Hunt and a jury. Robert Burns pleaded not guilty.
A 19‑year‑old pleaded guilty to murdering Aaron Keating on 13 June 2023 in Dublin. The defendant, who was a child when the offence was committed, is no longer subject to a mandatory life sentence because a Supreme Court ruling last year removed the mandatory life rule for those who were under 18 at the time of the crime, regardless of their current age. A further Supreme Court decision yesterday overturned a Court of Appeal ruling that a child could be identified if they turned 18 during proceedings, so the defendant's name cannot be released. The defendant had previously sought to halt the proceedings after turning 18, fearing a mandatory life sentence. After the guilty plea, senior counsel James Dwyer said the mandatory regime does not apply and a full sentencing hearing is required. Seamus Clarke SC represented the defendant, who had no prior convictions.