Court archive
Court reports mentioning Garristown, Dublin
2025-12-16 · Dublin
Patrick Skipton (42) was jailed for seven years after being found guilty of demanding money with menace and harassment. He initially demanded €50,000 from a victim who had held money for him during the pandemic, which he spent on drugs. The victim, with help from family, paid the amount. Later, Skipton harassed the victim again, demanding €40,000. The victim, who had since become clean and was working, was pressured to sell his car. Skipton's associate collected €6,230 from the sale, and the victim was ordered to take out a loan. However, the victim alerted gardaí, leading to Skipton's arrest. Skipton has a history of drug use and multiple convictions. He expressed remorse and is now clean. The judge noted the victim impact statement, which described the "reign of terror" inflicted by Skipton, and sentenced him to nine years, with two years suspended.
2023-02-15 · Dublin
In a 2023 High Court ruling, Mr Justice Alexander Owens held that more than €1 million in assets linked to Ross Browning, a senior member of the Kinahan cartel, were obtained from the proceeds of crime. The seized assets included cars, jewellery, designer watches, a horse‑riding arena complex in North County Dublin, a property in Garristown, lands in Rush, and a house on Deanstown Road, Finglas. Owens found that Browning's involvement in organised crime was "probable" and that the assets were acquired either directly or indirectly from criminal proceeds. He rejected most arguments from Browning's relatives about legitimate sources, noting that Browning's financial means between 2011 and 2017 were modest and could not support the purchases. The court also directed that certain relatives receive a share of the proceeds from the sale of seized properties, while confirming that the assets were indeed proceeds of crime.
2022-10-21 · Dublin
The High Court heard that the Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB) seeks orders under Section 3 of the 1996 Proceeds of Crime Act to seize about €1.7 million in assets linked to Ross Browning, a senior member of the Kinahan Cartel. CAB alleges the assets – two properties, land, cars, jewellery and watches – were acquired by Browning through intermingling gang proceeds with money belonging to his family. Browning has not contested the application, but lawyers for his mother Julie Conway, the estate of his late grandfather William Conway, and other relatives deny the claims. They argue the assets were purchased with legitimate funds, that the estate's claim was outside the two‑year limitation, and that CAB's evidence is insufficient. CAB maintains the assets were bought with criminal proceeds and requests the court to grant the orders. The judge has reserved judgment. The case highlights the dispute over the source of the assets and the application of the statute of limitations.
2022-10-20 · Dublin
The Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB) has applied to the High Court for orders to permanently seize €1.7 million of assets it says were obtained from the proceeds of crime by Ross Browning, a senior member of the Kinahan Cartel. CAB alleges that Browning purchased a 1.3‑hectare site in Garristown in 2013 for €120 000, developed a residence and a shed, and restored an old cottage on the site for about €330 000. CAB also claims Browning bought a house on Deanstown Road, Finglas, for roughly €56 000, registered it in the name of his grandfather William Conway, and later sold it to a relative after extensive renovation. The assets also include a property in Garristown, lands in Rush, a house in Finglas, several motor vehicles, luxury watches and jewellery seized in a 2018 raid.
2022-07-05 · Dublin
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, Mark Lynch, aged 37, was acquitted of assault causing serious harm by direction of the trial judge. Lynch had pleaded not guilty to the charge that he struck Jason Finnegan with a shovel during a dispute on a building site in Garristown. The prosecution alleged that Finnegan fell and sustained head injuries after being hit by a shovel, then was kicked and struck on the head. Lynch testified that he had struck Finnegan with his fist to defend his father, Ernie Lynch, who was also present. Judge Pauline Codd, after a legal application by Lynch's counsel, ruled that the jury could not be satisfied beyond a reasonable doubt that Lynch used a shovel or intended serious harm. Consequently, the judge directed the jury to find Lynch not guilty. The case was described as difficult and harrowing.
2020-10-12 · Dublin
Patrick Cawley, aged 49, was sentenced to six years' imprisonment for sexually abusing his niece, Winnie McDonagh, who was 23 at the time of sentencing. McDonagh was taken into Cawley's home when she was four after her mother's death and was abused from the age of 15. Cawley pleaded guilty to two counts of defilement of a child for acts that occurred between 23 November 2011 and 22 November 2014. The court heard that Cawley, while acting as her de facto parent, forced sexual acts on McDonagh on several occasions, including in a car, a hotel and while she was shopping. He threatened her with death if she disclosed the abuse. The judge noted his guilty plea, remorse and family background as mitigating factors, but emphasised the persistent nature of the abuse and the vulnerability of the victim. The sentence was imposed with no mention of a suspended portion or effective custody.
2016-12-02 · Louth
Paul Mason, 28, was sentenced to two years in prison with eight months suspended after pleading guilty to assaulting Keith Lynch at Lynch's home in County Louth. The offence, committed on 16 February 2014, stemmed from a 2013 campaign in Ardee that listed Lynch's name among alleged drug dealers. On the night of the assault, Mason and two others confronted Lynch at his front door, claiming to be INLA members and demanding money. They punched, kicked and kicked Lynch to the ground, striking his face and eyes. Lynch later reported that the attackers threatened him with a deadline to pay a ransom. Mason was on bail for a prior theft conviction at the time of the assault. The Special Criminal Court, presided over by Mr Justice Tony Hunt, found aggravating factors in the pre‑planned nature of the attack and the extortion threat, but noted mitigating factors such as Mason's lack of prior convictions and his apology.
2016-11-25 · Louth
In a case heard in the Special Criminal Court, Paul Mason, aged 28, pleaded guilty to assaulting Keith Lynch on 16 February 2014 at The Saltings, Annagassan, County Louth. Mason, who had been on bail for a prior theft conviction, claimed to be a member of the INLA and told Lynch that his name was on a list of "Drug Dealers Out" that had been posted around Ardee in December 2013. According to Lynch, Mason and two other men entered his home, where Lynch was with his partner and a 14‑month‑old daughter, and began punching and kicking him. Lynch reported that Mason struck him on the left cheek and that the men were "laying into him," before they left. The court remanded Mason in custody until 2 December, when he will be sentenced. The case was presented by Detective Sergeant Peter Cooney and prosecuting counsel Caroline Cummings BL, with defense counsel Hugh Hartnett SC.
2016-11-08 · Louth
Paul Mason, 28, of Ballygarra Park, Garristown, pleaded guilty this morning in the Special Criminal Court to assault causing harm to Keith Lynch on 16 February 2014 at The Saltings, Annagassan, Co Louth, contrary to the Non‑Fatal Offences Against the Person Act 1997. Justice Tony Hunt, with Judges Martin Nolan and Cormac Dunne, adjourned sentencing to 25 November pending a victim impact report. Mason remains in custody and was remanded by Justice Hunt until the sentencing hearing.
2016-07-18 · Galway
Paul Mason, 28, pleaded guilty to trespassing with intent to commit a criminal offence at a house on the Tuam Road, Galway, on 13 October 2013. He was sentenced to three years imprisonment by Judge Rory McCabe on 8 October 2015. On appeal, Mr Justice Garrett Sheehan set aside the original term and imposed a new three‑year sentence with the final 18 months suspended. Mason must enter a good‑behaviour bond for the suspended period. The Court of Appeal noted that the injured party was at home with family when the incident occurred, was assaulted by four men, and was threatened with a bomb if he did not cooperate. Mason was identified in an identification parade and admitted to being in the home but denied giving any message. The Court considered Mason's low risk of reoffending and his health‑related unsuitability for community service. The suspended portion was specifically 18 months, leaving a 30‑month custodial term.
2015-02-26 · Dublin
In Balbriggan District Court on 26 February 2015, two women, Eileen McDonagh (36) and Carolyn Ward (29), were dealt with for stealing €1,782.35 worth of children's clothing from Tesco Extra. McDonagh donated €300 to the Laura Lynn Hospice, leading Judge Dermot Dempsey to apply Section 1.1 of the Probation Act and grant her probation. Ward, who did not attend court and made no donation, was convicted and fined €300. Both had no prior convictions and were described by their solicitor as acting out of desperation with no sophisticated planning. Separately, Ryan Myles (21) was adjourned for a Probation & Welfare Report after pleading guilty to theft of cosmetics and possession of cannabis resin, with 10 prior convictions. A motorist, David Boylan (48), was fined €300 for careless driving after a collision at a crossroads but was not disqualified. Finally, Mathew Lencewicz (21) was convicted of drink driving, fined €200, and received a six‑month driving ban.
2014-11-06 · Dublin
Paul Mason, 26, of Ballygarra Park, Garristown, was brought before the Special Criminal Court on 6 November 2014. He had previously been charged with membership of the Irish National Liberation Army (INLA) on 7 May 2014. At the hearing, a new charge was added: assault causing harm to a man on 16 February 2014 at The Saltings, Annagassan, Co Louth, under section 3 of the Non‑Fatal Offences Against the Person Act 1997. When presented with the charge sheet, Mason denied the assault. The court noted that the bail conditions attached to the original INLA charge also applied to the new assault charge. A book of evidence had been served, and the court extended legal aid to the case. Mason had been granted bail on the INLA charge in May, despite Garda objections over the amount of the independent surety. The case was scheduled for mention again on 11 December 2014.
2014-05-23 · Dublin
Paul Mason, 26, of Ballygarra Park, Garristown, was charged with membership of the Irish National Liberation Army (INLA) on 7 May 2014. He appeared before the Special Criminal Court, a non‑jury court, where the judge considered bail despite objections from Gardaí. The Gardaí argued that a €5,000 independent surety was too low and that a higher amount of €20,000 would be required. The judge agreed that €5,000 was insufficient and set an independent surety of €8,500. Mason was ordered to live at his mother's address, sign daily at a Garda station, observe a curfew from 9 pm to 9 am, keep a mobile phone on his person at all times, and not interfere with witnesses. He must stay out of County Louth unless he gives 24‑hour notice to the Gardaí and must not associate with anyone convicted or charged with an offence. Legal aid was granted for his defence.
2014-05-07 · Dublin
Paul Mason, 26, of Ballygarra Park, Garristown, Co Dublin, appeared before the Special Criminal Court on a special out‑of‑hours sitting on 7 May 2014. He was charged with membership of an unlawful organisation, namely the Irish National Liberation Army (INLA). Detective Garda Peter Cooney of Ardee Garda Station arrested Mason at 9:33 pm on Father Connolly Way, Drogheda, Co Louth, explaining the reason for the arrest in ordinary language; Mason made no reply. Cooney believed Mason had committed the offence of which he is charged. At the court, Mason, wearing a black zip‑up jacket and grey tracksuit bottoms, again said nothing when cautioned. The State Solicitor, Mr Liam Mulholland, applied for remand in custody. Counsel for Mason, Mr Marc Thompson Grolimund BL, sought remand until Monday. Judge Iseult O'Malley, with Judges Margaret Heneghan and Ann Ryan, remanded Mason in custody to appear again on 12 May.