Stephen Power, director of SM Logistics, was jailed for six months after pleading guilty to four counts of filing incorrect end‑of‑year tax returns and four counts of failing to pay income tax between 2010 and 2013. He created bogus invoices purporting to be from a French consultancy that never worked for his company, using the money to pay mortgages on French property. The tax avoided was €47,700, including corporate and income tax. The case arose after a random audit of SM Logistics in 2012 and a personal audit of Power. Judge Martin Nolan noted that early cooperation with Revenue could have avoided prosecution. Power was sentenced to 18 months, with the final year suspended, and the company was fined €500. He has no prior convictions and has repaid the tax owed to Revenue.
James Holland, aged 52, was convicted of possessing €900,000 worth of cannabis resin for sale or supply. He was arrested in 2009, fled to the UK where he lived homeless for several years, and returned to Ireland in April 2024 to surrender to Gardaí. The offence involved moving the drugs from a truck to an industrial unit in Donabate and then transporting them in a van that was stopped in Dunboyne, where 150 kilos of resin were seized. Holland pleaded guilty to the single charge. He has a prior minor conviction from 2004. The court heard he had been a community worker and minibus driver until his relationships and employment collapsed, leading to debt and involvement with drug traffickers. Judge Martin Nolan sentenced him to five and a half years in prison, noting his difficult circumstances and low likelihood of re‑offending.
Damien Ionut, 34, was sentenced to three years in prison for a series of ATM attacks across eight European cities, including Dublin, Louth, Kildare, Wicklow, Meath, Westmeath, and Dublin. He and a group used a "transaction reversal fraud" technique, first withdrawing a small amount with a legitimate chip‑and‑pin card, then inserting a clip into the cash drawer to block the release of a larger withdrawal. They swapped the card for a dummy, causing the machine to think the customer had walked away, and then used a chisel to break into the drawer and take the cash. The attacks caused about €12,881 in damage and resulted in €5,980 in stolen cash. Ionut had 30 prior convictions for similar offences and was identified on CCTV footage. The court back‑dated the sentence to November 5, 2019. The case highlighted the vulnerability of ATMs to this type of fraud.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, Judge Martin Nolan sentenced 44‑year‑old Keith McCarthy to four years' imprisonment for a series of robberies carried out after a relapse into drug addiction. McCarthy, a former drug counsellor who had previously overcome his addiction, pleaded guilty to two robberies at Eddie Rocket's in Finglas, a robbery at BoyleSports in Donabate, an attempted robbery at Ladbrokes in Mulhuddart, and two driving‑without‑insurance offences. He admitted stealing almost €2,000 from Eddie Rocket's and €5,000 from BoyleSports, using an imitation firearm and a scarf to conceal his face. The judge noted McCarthy's history of 38 convictions, including 30 traffic offences, and his prior suspended robbery sentence in 2015. He highlighted McCarthy's remorse, cooperation with Gardaí, and his role as a caring father and son, while emphasising the need for him to overcome his addictive habits. McCarthy was also disqualified from driving for four years.
Paula Underwood, 56, pleaded guilty to unlawfully using a computer to divert over €23,000 from pensioners at Donabate Post Office between 2008 and 2013. She withheld payments from 91 pensioners across 156 transactions, understating entitlements and exploiting vulnerable customers. An Post refunded the money and held the then postmaster, Mr Neill Smith, liable, requiring him to repay the sum. Underwood was sentenced to three years imprisonment with the final 18 months suspended on 30 July 2019. She sought to withdraw an appeal against the severity of her sentence, but the Court of Appeal required her to present €750 to compensate Mr Smith. After the payment was produced, the appeal was withdrawn, allowing her to remain released from prison. Mr Smith, a 32‑year postmaster, expressed betrayal and health impact but received no apology. The case highlights breaches of trust against elderly pensioners.
Paula Underwood, 56, of Balbriggan, was sentenced to three years' imprisonment with 18 months suspended for unlawfully using a computer to steal €23,213 from 91 pensioners between July 2008 and October 2013 at Donabate Post Office. She withheld weekly payments, manipulating the system to take money that was not hers. An Post refunded all affected customers and blamed the IT system in letters. The postmaster, Mr Neill Smith, was held liable and set up a repayment plan, paying €5,000 initially and still owing about €6,000. Mr Smith, who had been proud of his post office, expressed betrayal and health impact. Underwood was dismissed, made a voluntary statement to Gardaí, and admitted wrongdoing. She had no prior convictions and was planning to start a state‑funded fashion design course after sentencing. The judge described the crimes as despicable breaches of trust against elderly persons. Paula Underwood pleaded guilty.
Philip Kernan, aged 48, was sentenced to three years' imprisonment with two years suspended for assault causing harm after a 45‑minute attack on his former partner, Angela Bissett, in her caravan in Donabate, Co. Dublin. Kernan repeatedly kicked Bissett in the face and head about 20 times, attempted strangulation, and dragged her back to the caravan after she had fled. He also demanded sex and threatened to "finish her off" if she sought help. Bissett suffered severe facial swelling, a cut lip, a wrist fracture and required 14 sutures. Kernan pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court on 4 September 2016. In a victim impact statement, Bissett described ongoing fear and physical scars. Kernan's defence highlighted no prior violent convictions and claimed the incident was isolated, citing a history of abuse and post‑traumatic stress. The court imposed the sentence as stated.
Leon O Brien, 22, was sentenced to three years and nine months for dangerous driving, endangerment and possession of 240 g of cannabis, with the final nine months suspended on strict conditions. He drove a black Skoda Octavia, pulled a handbrake turn near a Garda checkpoint, and crashed into a Fingal County Council van on Hearse Road. Garda Neil Cotter reported that O Brien fled the vehicle, was found under his father's mobile home in a caravan park with a hand injury from broken glass, and possessed over €1,400 of cannabis. O Brien claimed he was speeding because his girlfriend was in labour, a claim accepted by the court. The van driver, Philip Daly, suffered severe back pain and a spinal collar was applied. Judge Melanie Greally noted O Brien's remorse, limited violence history and the impact on Daly's life, and imposed supervision by the Probation Service for 12 months. The unnamed man pleaded guilty.
Brian and David Stenson, brothers who own a commercial unit at Century Business Park in Finglas, claim before the High Court that Promontoria (Oyster) DAC, a so‑called "vulture fund", has wrongfully appointed Mr David O'Connor as receiver over their property. They argue that they have not defaulted on the €2.23 million loan they obtained from Ulster Bank in 2004, and that the fund's demands for repayment in February and September of the same year were based on a mistaken belief that the loans were in default. The Stensons say the fund's appointment of a receiver was an attempt to force them out of the property. They seek injunctions to prevent the fund and Mr O'Connor from interfering with their property rights, from alienating, using, letting or marketing the premises, and they request declarations that no default has occurred and that Promontoria is bound by the original loan terms.
A 36‑year‑old labourer, Aidan O'Hara, was sentenced to 27 months' imprisonment for assaulting his ex‑girlfriend, Jessica Ayodeji, in their car while driving around Dublin. The Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard that O'Hara, of Hand Caravan Park, dragged Ms Ayodeji back into the vehicle after she tried to escape at traffic lights, and that he had also pleaded guilty to dangerous driving and failing to remain at the scene of a collision on the same day. The court noted that O'Hara had 14 prior convictions, including assaults, drug offences, burglary and criminal damage, and that he had a history of violent conduct toward partners. He was also banned from driving for two years. The judge highlighted that O'Hara had cooperated with Gardaí, shown remorse, and completed an alternative to violence course while in custody. The sentence was back‑dated to the time he entered custody in July 2017.
Richard Dekker, 30, has gone on trial at the Central Criminal Court, pleading not guilty to the alleged murder of 17-year-old Daniel McAnaspie. The prosecution alleges that on February 26, 2010, Dekker participated in a ruse to lure McAnaspie to an isolated area in Blanchardstown, knowing another man intended to assault him with half garden shears. Although Dekker claims he did not wield the weapon, the state contends he is guilty of murder. McAnaspie, who was in the care of the HSE, went missing after being dropped off in Finglas by former social care worker Keith Homan. His decomposed remains were discovered three months later in a ditch in Rathfeigh, Co Meath, identified via DNA matching. During police interviews, Dekker admitted knowing of McAnaspie's death and led gardai to the scene by the Tolka River, alleging the other man killed the teenager. The trial, presided over by Justice Patrick McCarthy, continues tomorrow.
John Joyce, 24, of Donaghmede, was sentenced to 18 months' imprisonment after pleading guilty in Dublin's Circuit Criminal Court to threatening to kill Garda Adrian Cahill on 27 November 2013. The threat was made while the pair were on patrol following a call about a suspicious man in Donabate. Joyce refused to be searched, was arrested, and then became physically aggressive toward Cahill, shouting that he would attack Cahill's wife and "shoot him like his mate in Dundalk." The threat referenced the death of former colleague Detective Garda Adrian Donohoe, who was gunned down in January 2013. Joyce had 78 previous convictions. His defence lawyer, Ms Fiona Murphy, described him as angry and frustrated, and said he accepted he was in the wrong and wished to apologise. Judge Patrick McCartan noted Joyce's conduct was an "utter disregard" for the Garda and that the threat was made in a nasty manner, referencing a fallen colleague.
David Ward (30) and Lynsey Ivory (27) staged a car crash to claim insurance. They pretended to be strangers, but FBD Insurance discovered they appeared in each other's Facebook profile pictures. Both pleaded guilty to attempting to defraud FBD between July 2013 and January 2014. Ward was the front‑seat passenger in an Opel Corsa that rear‑ended Ivory's Volkswagen Passat. They claimed injuries but denied knowing each other to Gardaí. Ward had seven prior convictions; Ivory had none. Judge Martin Nolan suspended one year of Ward's two‑year sentence, citing deterrence, and fully suspended Ivory's two‑year sentence because she had no prior convictions. Ward was jailed for one year, with the suspended portion not counted as custodial time. Both were married and have two children. The case was heard at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
David Ward (30) and Volkswagen Passat Lynsey Ivory (27), both of The Beeches, Clonshaugh, Priorswood, Dublin, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to attempting to dishonestly by deception cause a loss to FBD Insurance on dates between July 22, 2013 and January 1, 2014. Both admitted to the charges and pleaded guilty. The case is at the sentence stage. Ward and Ivory were involved in a staged car crash where they pretended to be strangers. They were discovered when an FBD Insurance claims handler noted their appearance in each other's Facebook profile pictures. Both submitted personal injury claims to FBD Insurance, denying knowledge of each other during the investigation. Garda Neill Plunkett stated that inconsistencies in their accounts and the lack of airbag deployment raised suspicions. Ward has seven previous convictions for offences including criminal damage and theft, while Ivory has no convictions. The couple have two children and have since married. The matter will be sentenced tomorrow.
Patrick Murphy, 27, pleaded guilty in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to possession of a stolen Apple iPod and to handling a stolen BMW 5 Series parked at an apartment on Main Street, Clongriffin, on 18 August 2014. The car and iPod had been taken in a burglary of a house at The Links, Donabate, four days earlier. Murphy, who was staying in the apartment at the time, told gardaí he was paid a few hundred euros to let others park the car for the night, claiming he did not know who would pay him and that he had done it because he owed a drug debt from his cocaine use. He denied any involvement in the burglary and said he did not have the car keys. Judge Martin Nolan suspended a one‑year prison sentence. Murphy has 25 previous convictions, including drug dealing, firearms offences, criminal damage and car theft.
Gareth Kenna, 35, was jailed for five years after hijacking a Honda Jazz and driving it dangerously while disqualified. He crashed sideways into Laura Mahony's car on Hearse Road, Donabate, on 10 October 2014, crushing her legs and trapping her and her son inside. Kenna pleaded guilty to dangerous driving causing serious bodily harm, two counts of attempted hijacking and one count of hijacking. He had 98 prior convictions, including 14 for dangerous driving, and had been disqualified for 20 years. Mahony spent eight days in hospital and underwent multiple reconstructive surgeries. Kenna's early guilty plea and remorse were noted, but the fact he seized a car and drove it while disqualified were considered severe aggravating factors. The judge imposed a five‑year custodial sentence.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing on 15 April 2015, Andrew Byrne, aged 29, was sentenced to three years' imprisonment for unlawfully seizing the taxi of Feargal MacEoin by force. Byrne pleaded guilty to the offence, to producing a knife, and to driving the vehicle without insurance. He was found to have used a knife to threaten MacEoin after the driver had initially refused a fare. MacEoin, a taxi‑driver who had been threatened with a knife and forced to drive the men to Castleknock, gave a victim impact statement describing the ordeal as "horrific" and noting that he no longer feels safe working. The court noted that the incident had severely affected MacEoin's peace of mind. Byrne's sentence was imposed with no mention of a suspended portion or effective custody beyond the three‑year term. The case also involved co‑accused Ross Cahill, who had previously received a five‑year sentence with two years suspended.
Ross Cahill, 22, of Portrane, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to the unlawful seizure of a taxi van at Castleknock on May 18 last. Judge James O'Donohoe sentenced him to five years in prison but suspended the final two years, noting that Cahill has since been charged with eight other offences and has 30 previous convictions, including two for robbery. The court heard Cahill was highly intoxicated during the attack, where he encouraged an accomplice to stab the driver, Feargal MacEoin, after a €5 fare. In a separate matter concerning a violent attack on MacEoin in April 2012, James Murphy, 20, and Dean Daly, 19, both of Tallaght, pleaded guilty to assault causing harm and robbery of a mobile phone, wallet, and cash. Judge Mary Ellen Ring suspended a three-year prison sentence for both men, citing their youth and lack of previous convictions, while describing the incident as a shocking and unprovoked attack. MacEoin stated the 2012 incident left him with significant mental and physical scarring. The accomplice in the 2013 hijacking remains before the courts.
The Supreme Court has unanimously dismissed an appeal by the Medical Council, upholding a High Court decision that overturned a finding of Poor Professional Performance (PPP) against Professor Martin Corbally, a distinguished consultant paediatrician. The case originated from a 2012 Fitness to Practise Committee decision where Professor Corbally was admonished for an error in his notes concerning a procedure for a two-year-old patient at Our Lady's Hospital Crumlin. Although he delegated the surgery to another doctor who performed an incorrect tongue-tie procedure instead of the required upper labial frenulum, Professor Corbally subsequently performed corrective surgery, and the child made a full recovery. In November 2013, Mr Justice Kearns in the High Court ruled that the error stemmed from hospital systems failures, specifically a computer menu limitation, rather than individual negligence. The Supreme Court, led by Chief Justice Hardiman, affirmed this view, stating the lapse was not serious and did not cause damage. The court's judgment provides the first judicial interpretation of PPP under the 2007 Medical Practitioners Act, clarifying that such findings require a serious lapse rather than a minor, non-causative error. This decision has significant implications for the regulation of medical professionals in Ireland.
Swords District Court sentenced four defendants. Jamie Cunningham (18) of Balbriggan, who pleaded guilty to failing to comply with a garda directive, was sentenced to one month in prison after failing to complete a previous 100-hour community service order; a second charge of obstructing the Gardai was struck out. Genadijs Ogurcous (45) of Lusk pleaded guilty to theft after cutting security tags from items in a Swords department store and received a six-month suspended sentence. Ishtiag Ahmad (33) of Coolock, who pleaded not guilty to permitting a child under three to travel without appropriate restraint, was convicted after Judge Dermot Dempsey accepted garda evidence over his defence; he was fined €150. Kevin Harris (24) of Clarehall, who pleaded not guilty to driving under the influence of cannabis, was found guilty following a collision at Hearse Road; the court imposed a four-year driving ban and a €1,000 fine. All matters were finalised at the sentencing stage.
Swords District Court heard several matters. Dwaine O'Connell, 26, pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of €3,000 worth of cannabis resin for sale or supply and €350 of cannabis herb. Judge John Coughlan sentenced him to eight months in prison, but O'Connell appealed the sentence after recognisance was fixed. Jandean Hyland, 26, pleaded guilty to assault causing harm, but the case was adjourned until December 1st because the victim was not in court and jurisdiction issues needed resolution. David Bennett, 32, pleaded guilty to assault causing harm; his case was adjourned until November 11th for Judge Dermot Dempsey to determine compensation to avoid a prison sentence. Andrew Cooley, 21, pleaded guilty to failing to provide a specimen and was disqualified from driving for four years and fined €75; a separate charge of making off without payment of a taxi fare was struck out. Kevin Harris, 24, is alleged to have driven under the influence of an intoxicant; his case was adjourned until December 22nd for hearing.
At Balbriggan District Court, Jevgenijs Zurila (32) of Navan pleaded guilty to trespassing and the theft of two containers of diesel worth €150 from Bently Bros Ltd in Lusk on August 14th. Judge Grainne O'Neill convicted him, noting his previous conviction for theft, and fined him €250 for trespass and a further €250 for the theft, warning that a future offence would result in a prison sentence. Joseph McGovern (39) of Donabate pleaded guilty to being intoxicated and using threatening and abusive behaviour towards gardai at Macari's Takeaway in Donabate on May 22nd. Despite mitigation regarding his mother's recent death, Judge O'Neill convicted him and imposed a €300 fine. Catherine Joyce (42) of Balbriggan, who is alleged to have been intoxicated and used threatening and abusive behaviour on October 2nd, had her case adjourned until January 8th as further charges, including an alleged assault on a garda, may be brought. Neil Phipps (29) of Balbriggan, alleged to have assaulted Brian Cranny causing harm on May 9th, had his case adjourned until November 27th pending DPP directions. John Fleming (30) of Skerries, alleged to have driven without reasonable consideration on January 22nd, had his case adjourned until December 4th to seek legal advice.
At Swords District Court, Jason McDonagh (19) pleaded guilty to being in unlawful possession of €20 worth of cannabis herb and was ordered to make a charitable contribution of €250 by December 17th to avoid a conviction. Nermia Ibrahimovic (40) pleaded guilty to the theft of groceries worth €34.91 and was fined €300 with a warning that her liberty is at risk if she reoffends. James English (22) pleaded guilty to the theft of €130.39 worth of cosmetics and was given the benefit of the Probation Act. Mark Cole (34) faced charges of being in unlawful possession of cannabis herb, cannabis resin and cocaine for sale or supply, and the case was adjourned until November 25th. Amy Bergin (20) was found guilty of driving without insurance, without L-plates displayed, without an NCT, and driving on a provisional licence without a qualified driver, and was fined €750 and disqualified from driving for two years. Ryan Montgomery (18) and Dale Monks (19) pleaded guilty to non-payment of a taxi fare of €43 and were ordered to make a charitable contribution of €250 each by November 25th to avoid a conviction. The case of St Margaret, accused of being in unlawful possession of cannabis herb, cannabis resin and cocaine for sale or supply at his home address on April 3rd, and non-payment of a taxi fare of €43, was adjourned.
Swords District Court handed down sentences to several defendants. John Budgie McDonagh pleaded guilty to stealing a leather jacket and tools worth €87 from TK Maxx on February 11th. Judge Dermot Dempsey convicted him and imposed a six-month prison term, noting he was beyond probation. Co-accused Owen McDonagh pleaded guilty to stealing shoes valued at €54.99 from the same store on the same date. He received a five-month sentence suspended for two years. Stephen O'Doherty pleaded guilty to taking a car without permission and burglary on August 5th, 2013. Judge Dempsey sentenced him to eight months in prison to run concurrently with a term he is already serving. Lisa Jenkins pleaded guilty to three thefts from TK Maxx totaling €842. She was remanded on continuing bail until October 6th for a Probation & Welfare report. Caroline McAleer pleaded guilty to driving without insurance on October 19th last year and was remanded on continuing bail to re-appear on September 1st for facts to be heard. Neil Curran is alleged to have assaulted Peter Lynch causing harm; the DPP directed trial on indictment, and he was remanded on continuing bail. Co-accused Jennifer Quinn, charged with assaulting Mr Lynch and using threatening behaviour, was remanded on continuing bail to re-appear on September 1st for a plea or to fix a hearing date.
David Geraghty, aged 33, pleaded guilty to trespassing at his mother's house in Balbriggan on 15 June. He had entered the back garden, sent threatening text messages to his mother Mary, and returned 15 minutes after Garda officers told him to leave. Geraghty was arrested and later convicted. He has a history of bipolar disorder and had been taking medication and attending counselling. The court sentenced him to two months in prison, but Judge Dermot Dempsey suspended the sentence and imposed a one‑year peace bond. The bond requires Geraghty to attend therapy clinics and to stay away from his mother's house. He also remains bound to the peace for the duration of the bond. The case was heard in Balbriggan District Court.
Swords District Court heard several matters involving defendants who pleaded guilty or faced allegations. Jason Kirwin, 27, pleaded guilty to driving without insurance, while disqualified, and without a licence. Judge Conal Gibbons noted his 79 prior convictions and ordered a Probation Report, adjourning the case to September 15th. Stephen O'Doherty and David Fagan pleaded guilty to the unauthorised taking of a car; Fagan also admitted burglary. Both were remanded on continuing bail to reappear on July 15th for sentencing. Rebotilwe Mohlala pleaded guilty to theft and received the benefit of the Probation Act after making a charitable donation. Graham Doyle pleaded guilty to theft; his case was struck out after compensation was paid. Philip Garland, alleged to be in unlawful possession of cannabis, had his case adjourned to July 21st for a plea or hearing date, with the judge remanding him on continuing bail.
Swords District Court heard several matters before Judge Dermot Dempsey. Jerry Flynn pleaded guilty to theft of petrol and dangerous driving. He received a three-month suspended sentence, a €200 fine, and a two-year driving disqualification. He was remanded on a one-year peace bond, conditional on paying €58.94 to Great Gas and €140 compensation to the attendant. Damien Krywult pleaded guilty to two counts of dangerous driving. He was convicted and fined €300 for each offence, with a total two-year driving disqualification. Jeffrey Carter pleaded guilty to driving without insurance and without a licence. He was sentenced to five months in prison, fined €200, and disqualified from driving for two years. Gary Fitzgerald was convicted in his absence of driving without insurance and without an NCT. He was fined €500 for the insurance offence and €250 for the NCT offence, and disqualified from driving for two years. Gabriel Akinsanya pleaded guilty to theft. The judge indicated he would consider 240 hours of community service in lieu of a four-month prison sentence only if Akinsanya completes 40 outstanding hours from 2003. He was remanded on continuing bail to reappear on September 15. Kim Howard, charged with theft, was remanded on continuing bail until October 6 for a mention.
In 2008, a 35‑year‑old man, Alan Wilson, was charged with murdering his daughter, Marioara Rostas, who disappeared on 6 January 2008 after a brief stay in Dublin. Wilson, who had moved from Romania to Ireland with his family in late 2007, left his son and daughter at home to get food and returned to find the girl missing. He waited three hours, then went to a Garda station but was not understood. He reported her missing on 9 January, three days after her disappearance. Witnesses saw a young Romanian girl begging at the junction of Pearse Street and Lombard Street that Sunday. Wilson's alleged murder scene was a three‑storey house on Brabazon Street, where a fire had been extinguished on 29 February 2008. Garda Daniel McCarthy investigated the house, noting possible accelerant use and a burnt fuel can. In October 2008, Wilson was investigated again for the disappearance.
Swords District Court heard multiple matters. Charges against Shane Langan and Kieran Kennedy for mutual assault were withdrawn following an agreement on the division of blame. Sean Cullen, alleged to have breached a protection order, was remanded on continuing bail with strict conditions, including residing at his father's house and remaining sober. Thomas Nicholson, charged with stealing an €18,000 mini digger, was remanded on bail for DPP directions. Luke Nestor pleaded guilty to theft; the judge ordered 200 hours of voluntary work before considering conviction. Jason Mitchell pleaded guilty to cannabis possession and was convicted and fined €200. Mateusz Sniezek pleaded guilty to drink driving and was disqualified for three years, with the ban postponed until December 1st. Oksana Smirnova pleaded guilty to failing to provide a sample; she was convicted, fined €650, and disqualified for four years. Brendan Hill pleaded guilty to public order offences and was fined €300 in total.
In Swords District Court, Judge Dermot Dempsey applied the Probation Act to 34‑year‑old Natasha Reilly, who breached a Protection Order by being drunk and threatening to "smash the face" off her victim. Reilly had been remanded in custody since 19 May and had detoxed, completed an anger‑management course and remained in custody to address her chronic alcoholism. She is now focused on staying sober and rebuilding her relationship with her children. The court also heard other cases: a 32‑year‑old woman, Jennifer Reilly, was remanded on continuing bail for alleged theft of two pairs of shoes; a 22‑year‑old man, Jamie Bowbrick, was given further time to pay a €350 charitable donation after pleading guilty to unlawful possession of cannabis and obstruction; a 38‑year‑old woman, Gillian O'Donnell, was remanded on continuing bail for alleged theft of a pair of boots; a 28‑year‑old man, Mark Jackson, was remanded on continuing bail for.
Balbriggan District Court heard several matters before Judge Dermot Dempsey. Martin Lawrence pleaded guilty to the theft of €30 worth of items from a Skerries supermarket. The court applied the Probation Act and warned him to stay away from the store. Mark Donnelly, charged with unlawful possession of cannabis for sale and supply, was adjourned until June 19th pending DPP directions. Linda Hess, charged with unauthorised taking of a vehicle and driving without insurance, was remanded on continuing bail to re-appear on June 5th. James Heraghty, alleged to have assaulted a garda, used threatening behaviour, and obstructed a garda, was remanded on continuing bail to re-appear on June 12th. Dayne Barnwell, alleged to have assaulted a bouncer causing a fractured ankle, was remanded on continuing bail until June 26th. Additionally, Tony Thunder, charged with criminal damage, failed to appear; the case was adjourned until June 12th for gardai to caution him. All defendants were processed at the charge or pretrial stage, with no convictions recorded in this report.
In Swords District Court, Henry Afeni (49) admitted to making a gain or causing loss by deception at TK Max in The Pavilions Shopping Centre in Swords on December 8th, 2013. He was sentenced to 100 hours of community service in lieu of a five-month prison sentence. Raymond O'Hara (47) pleaded guilty to burglary at Portmarnock Hotel on December 11th, 2012, and his case was adjourned to June 23rd for the facts to be heard and sentencing. Declan Fitzsimons (34) admitted to using threatening and abusive behaviour at Cedar Grove in Ridgewood, Swords on January 1st. Judge Dermot Dempsey imposed a conviction and fined him €500, noting that Fitzsimons had the opportunity since February to make a charitable donation. Debra Maguire (44) was found guilty of handling stolen goods worth €363.55 at The Pavilions Shopping Centre in Swords on November 17th, 2013, and was sentenced to 100 hours of community service in lieu of a five-month prison sentence. All cases were at the sentence stage.
Swords District Court heard five matters. Henry Afeni (49) pleaded guilty to making a gain or causing loss by deception at TK Max in Swords. Judge Patrick Clyne suspended a five-month sentence for two years and proposed 100 hours of community service, adjourning the case until April 28 for a Probation Report. Debra Maguire (44) pleaded not guilty to handling stolen goods but was found guilty; the court ordered a Probation & Welfare report and adjourned sentencing until April 28. Robert Trnovec (38) pleaded guilty to drink driving and received a two-year disqualification and a €250 fine. Anne-Marie McGill (50) pleaded guilty to theft of a cardigan; the judge applied the Probation Act. Declan Fitzsimons (34) pleaded guilty to using threatening and abusive behaviour; the judge proposed a €500 charitable donation to avoid a conviction, with a default fine of €500, and set a deadline of April 28.
Swords District Court heard four matters presided over by Judge Dermot Dempsey. Valerie Quaid, who pleaded guilty to being intoxicated, failing to comply with garda direction, and using threatening and abusive behaviour, failed to appear after a previous order for a Probation & Welfare Report. Consequently, the judge imposed the default sentence of one month in prison and issued a bench warrant for her arrest. Laura Sheils pleaded guilty to driving while disqualified and without insurance. She received a three-month suspended sentence, was disqualified from driving for five years for the disqualification offence, and for a further three years for driving without insurance. Edward Byrne pleaded guilty to possession of cannabis herb. The judge convicted him and imposed a fine of €200. Sebestian Knecht did not appear in court. The judge proceeded on a not guilty plea and convicted him of using an altered driving licence, being in custody of a false insurance disc, and driving without insurance. A bench warrant was issued for his arrest for the purpose of sentencing. Recognisances were fixed in the event of an appeal for Quaid and Sheils.
At Balbriggan District Court, James Ward, 43, faced seven charges alleging he induced individuals to make lodgements totaling €2,270 into his AIB account for goods such as Electric Picnic tickets, a Samsung Galaxy phone, and an iPhone. Ward's solicitor informed Judge Dermot Dempsey that the defendant suffered a stroke and could not attend. The Director of Public Prosecutions directed trial on indictment, and the matter was adjourned until April 10th. Jackie Gallagher, 53, was charged with the theft of €50 from a house in Lusk. Sergeant Tony Tighe provided evidence of arrest and charge. Judge Dempsey granted a disclosure order and remanded Gallagher on continuing bail to appear on March 6th for a plea or hearing date. Wojtek Jedrej, 19, was charged with possessing a sharply pointed knife in Balbriggan. His solicitor requested an adjournment as further charges may be put to him. Judge Dempsey agreed to adjourn the case until April 3rd. Jerry Flynn, 25, was charged with theft of fuel, violent behaviour, and dangerous driving. His case was adjourned until May 12th to be heard at Swords District Court.
Swords District Court heard several matters involving drink driving and drug possession. Helen Ikechukwu, 35, of Lusk, pleaded guilty to drink driving on February 16, 2013, in Balbriggan. Judge Dermot Dempsey convicted her, fined her €300, and imposed a six-month driving disqualification. Darren Koohof, of Wexford, was convicted in his absence of being drunk in charge of a vehicle in Skerries on October 30, 2013. Judge Dempsey noted a previous 2007 conviction and issued a bench warrant for Koohof's arrest for sentencing. Edward Byrne, 28, of Donabate, pleaded guilty to possession of cannabis on May 2, 2013. Judge Dempsey adjourned the case until February 10 to hear the facts. Additionally, Laura Sheils, 23, of Swords, had her case adjourned until February 10 due to illness; she is alleged to have driven while disqualified and uninsured in June 2012. Keith Donoghue, 33, of Dublin 17, had his case adjourned until March 3; he is alleged to have attempted to drive while drunk and committed dangerous driving in August 2013.
Swords District Court sentenced Kevin McCabe to four months in prison and disqualified him from driving for six years after he pleaded guilty to driving without insurance and a licence. Judge Dermot Dempsey noted McCabe's 11 previous convictions, including two prior disqualifications, and imposed a €200 fine. In a separate matter, Josephine Farrell pleaded guilty to contravening a safety order by allegedly threatening a man. The court applied the Probation Act, citing evidence that Farrell, who has bipolar disorder, had missed medication for three days. Darragh Quinn pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of cannabis herb. The charge was struck out after the court ordered €400 in his possession to be paid to Swords Foroige Youth Group. Additionally, Paul Kehoe was disqualified for four years and fined €400 for failing a breath sample, with a further €100 fine for lacking an NCT. His disqualification was postponed until June 1st. Finally, Danny Bowers, alleged to have driven without insurance and while drink driving, had his case adjourned until February 17th because the prosecuting garda was unavailable to give evidence.
Liam Kinahan, 30, an engineering student from Dromiskin Cross, Co. Louth, was convicted and fined at Swords District Court for causing €2,000 worth of damage to his ex‑girlfriend's 2012 Volkswagen Golf. On 5 January, outside The Gallery Apartments in Donabate, Kinahan called to his ex‑girlfriend's apartment, was refused entry, shouted, and then kicked the car, damaging both wing mirrors, denting a door and the car booth. He admitted the damage, paid €2,000 to cover the costs, and pleaded guilty. Sergeant Bob Kavanagh gave evidence of the arrest, charge and caution. The ex‑girlfriend had asked the Gardaí to withdraw the charges. Kinahan, with no prior convictions, apologized, citing drunkenness and anger. Judge Dermot Dempsey fined him €200, noting the conviction could affect his travel rights and offering a charitable donation alternative, which Kinahan declined.
An unemployed hairdresser, Aine Penrose, aged 29, was found guilty of drink driving at Swords District Court on 4 June. She drove her car with her three children—aged seven, nine and one—while under the influence of alcohol. Penrose claimed she was terrified of her ex‑partner, who is the father of one of her children, and had no phone credit to call a taxi. She said she had gone to the beach with her children and the ex‑partner, had a few drinks, and when returning to his house, her son was bullied by his brother, leading to an argument. Garda Jonathan Kirk observed her swerving and failing to signal at a roundabout; her breath test showed 58 mg/100 ml. The judge found her guilty, disqualified her from driving for two years effective February, and fined her €250.