Petru Budai, 43, of Finnslawn, Lucan, pleaded guilty to assault causing harm after biting part of a restaurateur's ear on 28 October 2021 at Whitehall Terrace, Swords. The victim was preparing to open his restaurant when Budai, intoxicated and accompanied by two others, demanded food and drink. When told the premises were not yet open, Budai wrapped his hands around the restaurateur, bit his ear and uttered a phrase that sounded like "I eat you." The victim was taken to hospital; the bitten ear fragment was recovered but could not be re‑attached. Judge Martina Baxter described the attack as devastating and noted the victim was sober and attempting to explain the restaurant's status. Budai, with no prior convictions, expressed remorse, wrote an apology letter, and paid €5,000. The judge ordered 240 hours of community service in lieu of a three‑year prison term. Budai thanked the court after sentencing.
Paul Burgess, aged 43, was sentenced to 15 months' imprisonment for assisting a 16‑year‑old boy in an assault that left Kean Doherty, 19, with a catastrophic brain injury. The assault took place on 28 December 2018 at Ballyvaughan Lane, Lucan, when the boy struck Doherty after Burgess had driven him to the area, pushed him against railings and forced him to the ground. Doherty had recently been released from the National Rehabilitation Hospital after a road‑traffic accident and was highly vulnerable. The court heard medical reports showing the assault exacerbated Doherty's injuries. Burgess claimed he had no knowledge of Doherty's vulnerability and had not intended the violence, but the judge found his assistance created a dangerous situation and imposed the custodial term. The teenager received a formal caution and was dealt with under the youth diversion scheme. The case was heard in the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. Paul Burgess pleaded guilty.
Victor Titov, 48, of Bray, pleaded guilty to 14 fraud charges linked to false insurance policies sold by the jailed 'ghost broker' Egidijus Aleliunas. Titov acted as an intermediary, referring seven Moldovan community members to Aleliunas and earning €50 per referral. The court found Titov responsible for losses of almost €7,000 to those policy holders. He received a two‑year suspended sentence at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. The judge noted Titov's community standing, work history and family responsibilities, but held that he should have known Aleliunas was engaged in fraud. Titov had been in Ireland for nearly 20 years and had a long career as a car mechanic. The scheme, valued at €4 million, had previously seen three relatives of Aleliunas receive suspended sentences. The court emphasised that Titov did not act as a broker himself but facilitated the fraud by referring customers. The sentencing reflected the seriousness of the fraud while recognising Titov's personal circumstances.
In a High Court sentencing hearing, 19‑year‑old Joshua Doolan was convicted of aggravated sexual assault after he violently attacked a 43‑year‑old woman on a Dublin suburban street. The judge described the offence as "very disturbing" and noted the victim's testimony that the assault "irreversibly altered the course" of her life. Doolan, who pleaded guilty, was sentenced to seven years' custody with the final 18 months suspended on strict conditions. He was ordered to have no contact with the victim and to be supervised by Probation Services for three years after release. The judge highlighted mitigating factors such as Doolan's age, his diagnosis of Asperger's Syndrome, and his willingness to engage with counselling and probation services. The victim's impact statement detailed the lasting psychological trauma and the profound loss of safety and freedom she experienced following the attack.
Dorothy Roe, 37, pleaded guilty to possession of proceeds of crime after authorities found €42,430 in cash in her car. She kept ledgers at home and owned a Hyundai with a concealed compartment, though she had no expertise to install it. Defence argued she acted as a "stooge" for others, motivated by a brother's drug debt and her own addiction. Gardaí had surveilled her following confidential tips, noting her visits to properties in Lucan and Clondalkin and a stop at Bluebell where the cash was seized. Roe admitted possession, expressed remorse, and cooperated. She has no prior convictions for this type of offence, receives social welfare, and is a carer for her son and mother. The case was adjourned to July 8 for a probation report.
Dr Edwin Fitzgibbon, also known as Joe Fitzgibbon, has launched High Court proceedings seeking an injunction to prevent a receiver from repossessing a medical suite at the Hermitage Clinic in Lucan, Dublin 20. The applicant, represented by Miriam Reilly SC and Conor Duff BL, alleges that receiver James Anderson and Everyday Finance intend to take possession on April 27 over a dispute regarding the repayment of loans. Dr Fitzgibbon claims the threatened repossession is heavy-handed and disproportionate, noting the suite is also used by two other practitioners. The dispute stems from loan facilities of just over €1m taken out with AIB in 2013. The applicant asserts he entered a settlement agreement in 2017 to sell the suite by June 2022 and has complied with its terms, despite the loan being sold to Everyday Finance DAC. He rejects claims of non-compliance, attributing delays to the actions of Everyday's agents, and has lodged an outstanding complaint with the Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman. Dr Fitzgibbon states he was informed last month that the settlement agreement was formally withdrawn and that the receiver, appointed in late 2023, planned to take possession. Before Mr Justice David Nolan, the court granted the applicant permission on an ex-parte basis to serve short notice of his injunction application on the defendants. The matter was adjourned and will return before the court next week.
In a Court of Appeal hearing on 24 April 2024, the appeal of Samy Taib, aged 22, was dismissed. Taib had been sentenced to five years' imprisonment with 12 months suspended, after pleading guilty to assault, coercive control, endangerment and dangerous driving. The Court upheld the four‑year sentence for the coercive control offence and the three‑year sentence for the driving offence, after the judge had reduced the headline sentences from five to four years and from four to three years respectively, citing Taib's undiagnosed paranoid schizophrenia. The judge noted that Taib's mental disorder was likely present for some time but that the seriousness of the violence—choking, punching, biting and driving over his former partner's leg—required a substantial sentence. The Court found the reductions within the judge's discretion and rejected the appeal. The final sentence remained five years' imprisonment with one year suspended.
Leeanda Farrelly (49) was found guilty of publishing a report likely to lead to the identification of a child involved in criminal proceedings after she reposted a photo of 'Boy A', one of the boys who murdered 14‑year‑old Ana Kriégel, in a closed Facebook group on 19 June 2019. The image was posted with text encouraging others to share it. Farrelly removed the post after about 20 minutes but had already attracted police attention. She pleaded guilty in November 2023. Judge Pauline Codd imposed a fully suspended nine‑month sentence, noting that Farrelly's actions were a "self‑appointed judge, jury and executioner" and that she had little regard for the law. The court highlighted that the children were protected under the Children's Act and that the orders prohibiting their identification were in place to safeguard the judicial process.
Noel Foran, 61, of Lucan, was sentenced to three years' imprisonment in July 2023 after pleading guilty to ten sexual assaults on his stepdaughter between 1991 and 1998. The judge imposed 18‑month sentences on the first and tenth charges to run consecutively, while the remaining eight were considered together. Foran's appeal to the Court of Appeal was dismissed on 26 February 2024, with Justice Tara Burns ruling that the sentencing judge had no error in principle in imposing consecutive sentences. Foran admitted to touching his stepdaughter's vagina while she slept, claiming the acts never progressed beyond touching and that he masturbated. He had no prior convictions and had engaged in counselling at the Granada Institute. The victim, Irene Cullen, gave a victim‑impact statement describing lasting PTSD, self‑harm, and prolonged hospital stays. The Court of Appeal upheld the full three‑year term, rejecting the appeal for a reduced sentence.
A 77‑year‑old man was threatened with a stabbing and had his €40,000 car hijacked while listening to a true‑crime podcast. Max Corcoran (21) and a co‑accused entered the underground parking of the man's apartment complex, forced him out of the car, struck him in the jaw, took his keys and phone, and drove the vehicle into the parking gate. Unable to open the gate, they reversed the car to smash it, causing €24,536 in damage. The car was later found burnt out elsewhere in Dublin. Corcoran, who had 14 prior convictions, pleaded guilty to possession of a motor vehicle without consent and criminal damage. Judge Martin Nolan, noting Corcoran's cooperation, remorse and mitigating factors, sentenced him to 20 months' imprisonment, back‑dated to his March 2023 arrest.
Egidijus Aleliunas, 43, of The Paddocks Way, Adamstown, Lucan, was sentenced to five years' imprisonment at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court after pleading guilty to multiple counts including deception, possession of false documents, use of a false instrument, and possessing and transferring the proceeds of criminal conduct over a seven-year period. Judge Nolan described Aleliunas as a "very competent man" who could reform himself. His wife, Anastasija Pavola, 37, of The Paddocks; father-in-law Viaceslav Pavlov, 68, of Earlsfort Road, Lucan; and mother-in-law Natalja Pavlova, 65, of Abbeydale Gardens, Lucan, each pleaded guilty to engaging in the transfer of property that was the proceeds of crime between June and August 2017. The court found they acted recklessly by allowing their bank accounts to be used for transfers to a Dubai investment company. Judge Nolan handed each of them suspended sentences of two years. He noted their good work histories and lack of previous convictions, stating it would be unjust to imprison them. Judge Nolan also agreed not to disqualify Pavola as a director to protect her business. The matter was finalised with these sentences.
Noel Foran, 61, of Lucan, was sentenced in July 2023 to three years' imprisonment for ten sexual assaults on his step‑daughter between 1991 and 1998. The court imposed 18‑month consecutive sentences for the first and tenth charges, while the remaining eight were considered by Judge Orla Crowe. Foran pleaded guilty before trial and claimed he had been "cured" after attending the Granada Institute in 2004. At the Court of Appeal, his counsel argued the consecutive sentences were disproportionate, noting Foran's lack of prior convictions and his low risk of reoffending. The appeal also highlighted the victim's prolonged suffering, including PTSD, self‑harm, and over 500 days in St Patrick's Hospital. The court reserved judgment on the appeal, noting the sentencing judge had discretion to impose a single four‑year sentence or consecutive terms. The case remains pending.
Samy Taib, aged 22, was sentenced to five years' imprisonment, with the final 12 months suspended for two years, for a series of offences including assault, coercive control, endangerment and dangerous driving. The court noted that Taib's victim endured significant psychological and physical harm, including permanent damage to her foot. Taib pleaded guilty to two counts of assault causing harm, one count of coercive control, and several traffic offences. He was found to have a history of mental health issues, diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia after the offences, and was taking medication at sentencing. His defence argued that his undiagnosed mental state should have led to a greater reduction in the sentence. The Court of Appeal considered the mitigating factors but did not alter the imposed term, leaving the suspended portion and custodial period unchanged. The case remains at the appeal stage.
Charles McClean, aged 35, was sentenced at the Central Criminal Court to a global term of 20 years for his role in three gangland shootings. He already serves a 16.5‑year sentence for facilitating a criminal organisation and an eight‑year sentence for conspiracy to murder Wayne Whelan. The new sentence adds three and a half years for impeding the apprehension of the person who murdered Mark 'Guinea Pig' Desmond in December 2016. McClean pleaded guilty to the offence and showed no remorse. The judge noted that the three offences were separate, each with its own victim and family, and that McClean's involvement was "very unusual." The three‑and‑a‑half‑year term is to run consecutively to his existing sentences, bringing the total to 20 years in custody. The sentence reflects the seriousness of McClean's escalating criminal conduct.
In a sentence hearing at the Central Criminal Court, 35‑year‑old Charles McClean admitted that he had called his "associate" Mark 'Guinea Pig' Desmond to a drugs meeting in Griffeen Valley Park, Lucan, where Desmond was shot dead. McClean said he later removed Desmond's mobile phone at the request of gangster Wayne Whelan. He had previously pleaded guilty to impeding the apprehension or prosecution of Desmond on 2 December 2016, knowing or believing Desmond to be guilty of an arrestable offence. McClean is already serving a 16.5‑year sentence for facilitating a criminal organisation and for conspiring to murder Whelan. The hearing also noted that McClean had a motor business linked to Whelan and that he had travelled to Northern Ireland and Tenerife shortly after the shooting. The court remanded him in custody until his sentencing.
Ms Li Sun, a Dublin-based Chinese businesswoman, has launched High Court proceedings against Clonmannon House Retirement Village Limited. Ms Sun claims she invested €1m in 2019 through the Irish Immigrant Investor Programme, expecting to secure an Irish Visa and receive €1.3m, including interest, after five years. She alleges she has only received €100,000 and that the defendant has refused to provide quarterly management accounts or allow inspection of its books. Ms Sun expresses concern that the company may dissipate assets to avoid payment. The defendant's solicitors have denied any wrongdoing and stated Ms Sun has no reason for complaint. Ms Sun, represented by Sean O'Sullivan BL, secured a temporary High Court injunction on an ex-parte basis from Mr Justice Mark Sanfey. The order restrains the defendant from disbursing, dissipating, or disposing of any monies received from the sale or disposal of its assets or shares. The judge noted the need for caution in granting freezing orders after hearing only one side but was satisfied to grant the temporary order. The matter was adjourned to a date later this week. Ms Sun also seeks judgment for €1.3m, damages for breach of contract, and orders directing the defendant to provide accounts and freeze assets below a certain level pending the determination of the proceedings.
Michael Kelly, 34, pleaded guilty in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to assaulting a female taxi driver after they refused to pay her fare. The incident occurred on 19 December 2022 when Kelly and his partner left a taxi without paying, walked into their home, and the driver pursued them to the front door. Kelly pulled the driver by her jumper and punched her several times, causing bruising and tenderness to her face. CCTV contradicted his claim of self‑defence. He has seven prior minor traffic convictions. The judge, Martin Nolan, imposed a suspended two‑year jail sentence and ordered Kelly to pay the driver €3,000 within nine months, or donate the amount to charity if she declines. The sentence was suspended on conditions, and no custodial time was imposed at this stage. The driver suffered nausea and dizziness and was treated at hospital the next day.
Charles McClean, aged 35, already serving 16.5 years for facilitating a criminal organisation and conspiracy to murder Wayne Whelan, pleaded guilty to impeding the apprehension of the person who murdered gangland figure Mark 'Guinea Pig' Desmond in Lucan on 2 December 2016. McClean admitted he knew or believed the murderer was guilty of an arrestable offence, namely Desmond's murder, and that he had impeded the investigation. He was originally charged with Desmond's murder on the same day. The case was heard before the Central Criminal Court, where Mr Justice Paul McDermott remanded McClean in custody until 6 February for a sentence hearing and directed the preparation of a victim impact report. The hearing was scheduled to last 40 minutes. McClean's earlier convictions include an eight‑and‑a‑half‑year sentence for facilitating the fatal shooting of Thomas McCarthy in 2020 and an eight‑year sentence for conspiracy to murder Whelan in 2021.
Kartikey Gupta, 22, an Indian visitor, received a fully suspended 21‑month prison sentence for a single count of sexual assault at a Marlay Park concert. The judge directed him to leave Ireland within two weeks and not return for ten years. The victim, in her early twenties, described feeling a hand repeatedly touch her under her skirt for about seven minutes, causing lasting distress. Gupta admitted a single accidental touch but denied further contact. He was cooperative after arrest, had no prior convictions, and had only one beer at the event. The court noted the assault was "not too insidious" yet "very distressing." A €2,500 token of remorse was offered but declined; it will be given to charity if she refuses again. The judge emphasised the full suspension and strict conditions of the sentence. Kartikey Gupta pleaded guilty.
Thomas Lorigan, 34, of no fixed abode, is set to stand trial for the murder of 79‑year‑old John O'Neill in Lisdoonvarna, Co Clare, between 6 and 7 January 2022. He pleaded not guilty. The prosecution is led by senior counsel Eilis Brennan; the defence is headed by Michael Bowman SC. Judge Paul McDermott noted Lorigan's former residence in Lucan, Dublin, and that O'Neill ran a bed and breakfast on St Brendan's Road until 2021. The jury, five men and seven women, will hear the case, which is expected to last up to four weeks.
Dublin Circuit Criminal Court sentenced four men for money laundering offences linked to €121,000 stolen from a Dublin solicitors' firm via invoice redirect fraud. Judge Martin Nolan warned that the court is "totally fed up" with young money mules using "stupidity as a shield" and stated that those providing bank details after January 2022 face potential custody. Cameron Fanning, 25, pleaded guilty to two counts of money laundering and one count of giving false information to gardaí. He was sentenced to three and a half years in prison, suspended in full on strict conditions. The judge noted the court would not use Fanning as a "sacrificial lamb" given his reckless but believable explanation. Mubarak Salawu, 22, pleaded guilty to one count of money laundering and possessing €600 Balenciaga runners bought with proceeds of crime; he received a suspended two-year prison sentence. Olumide Lawal, 27, admitted to two counts of money laundering and possession of an iPhone bought with proceeds of crime; he was also given a suspended two-year prison sentence. Aaron Clancy, 21, pleaded guilty to possessing €3,020 in proceeds of money laundering and a further unrelated count of possessing €4,650 in proceeds of crime; he received a suspended two-year prison sentence. The judge noted that for Salawu, Lawal, and Clancy, the amounts involved were lower and all three were young men with their "futures in front of them".
Leeanda Farrelly, aged 49, admitted on 29 November 2023 that she posted a Facebook photo on 19 June 2019 of 'Boy A', one of the two 13‑year‑old boys who murdered 14‑year‑old Ana Kriégel in May 2018. The photo was likely to lead to his identification, contravening the Children Act's prohibition on publishing images that could identify child offenders. Farrelly will be sentenced at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court on 22 February next year. The case remains at the sentencing stage, with no further judicial outcome reported in the article. Leeanda Farrelly pleaded guilty.
A 17‑year‑old, Ogaga Ogheneyoma, was fined €500 and ordered to be of good behaviour in lieu of a 12‑month sentence for allowing his AIB bank account to hold €31,842 of laundered money in an invoice redirect fraud. He pleaded guilty on the day of his trial at Dublin Circuit Court on 19 November 2018. Ogheneyoma, now 22, is a fourth‑year accounting and finance student at TU Dublin, lives with his parents in Lucan, and has worked part‑time throughout college. The court noted he had no previous convictions, no evidence of involvement in the fraud, and had a pro‑social life since the offence. Judge Orla Crowe invoked Section 100 of the Criminal Justice Act 2006, imposed the fine, and deferred the sentence, ordering him to pay the fine before a mention in May 2024, after which he will be discharged.
The Court of Appeal overturned a High Court ruling that had reversed a District Court judge's refusal to hear the cases of three people accused of publishing online information that identified the teenage boys who murdered Ana Kriegel in 2018. The Court of Appeal held that the District Court judge had not acted unfairly and that a subsequent judge could reconsider jurisdiction. The three accused – Edel Doherty, 48, Kyle Rooney, 26, and Declan Corcoran, 30 – had been charged with posting photos and naming the boys on social media. They had been initially told by Judge Brian O'Shea that the District Court could hear their matters, but Judge John Hughes later ruled the offences were too serious for the District Court and sent them to the Circuit Court. The High Court had quashed Judge Hughes' decision, but the Court of Appeal vacated that order and remitted the matters back to the District Court for further consideration.
John Titiloye, aged 28, was sentenced to ten years in prison with the final year suspended for two years, backdated to his arrest on 11 August 2021, after being found guilty of murdering his 25‑year‑old friend Ademola "Dizzy" Giwa. The killing occurred on 10 August 2021 in Tallaght, following a dispute over a €100 debt and a stolen scooter. Titiloye stabbed Giwa in the neck with a knife he had bought that afternoon, an act described by the judge as a rapid, spontaneous response triggered by the defendant's perception that his father had been attacked. The court noted that Titiloye had 23 prior convictions, mainly for minor traffic offences and some drug offences, and that he had attempted to justify his actions to the probation service. The judge highlighted the disproportionate use of force and the fact that the victim's father was also assaulted during the altercation. John Titiloye pleaded not guilty and was acquitted.
John O'Sullivan, a mobile tyre fitter who had worked for Tysoucha Ltd (trading as Tyresource) since 2000, was dismissed in 2022 after 22 years and nine months of service. The company, which claimed it was not liable for redundancy, argued that O'Sullivan was not made redundant because he found new work almost immediately. The tribunal found that the company had stopped the mobile tyre‑fitting service, effectively removing O'Sullivan's work vehicle, and that the alternative work offered was unsuitable due to transport issues. Consequently, the tribunal ordered the company to pay statutory redundancy based on his long service, amounting to €27,000, and noted that he was not entitled to notice pay because he left without completing his notice period.
Mairead Latimer, a 35‑year‑old financial controller from Howth, pleaded guilty to four counts of stealing over €82,000 from Chopped Limited between December 2016 and July 2018. She authorised fictitious payments to "ghost" employees, sending more than €43,000 to her father's account, and inflated her own wages by over €12,000 without director approval. She also took more than €22,000 from Chopped stores on Grafton Street and Lucan and authorised over €3,000 in increased pension payments to her own plan. At the time of the hearing, she had repaid €73,546, leaving €7,852 outstanding. The court noted that she was dismissed from Chopped on 1 August 2018 after the fraud was discovered, and that she had been cooperative during her arrest and subsequent garda interview. The matter was adjourned for finalisation on 13 October.
In a victim impact statement read to the Central Criminal Court, Gaffar Giwa, father of 25‑year‑old Ademola "Dizzy" Giwa, expressed profound grief after his son was stabbed to death by John Titiloye, a former friend, during a dispute over a stolen scooter. Giwa said the loss of his son is indescribable and that the killer's attempts to tarnish his son's name were futile. Titiloye, aged 28, pleaded not guilty to murder but was found guilty of manslaughter by a jury in May. He admitted responsibility, expressed remorse, and said he would never forgive himself. The court heard that Titiloye had 23 prior convictions, mainly traffic offences, and that the altercation escalated over a small debt. The case was remanded for sentencing on July 24. The hearing focused on the facts of the killing and the defendant's admission of guilt, without any mention of future outcomes. John Titiloye was acquitted.
Christopher Gaynor, 39, of Woodavens, Clondalkin, pleaded guilty to possession of cocaine for sale or supply after Gardaí seized 40 kg of cocaine worth €2.8 million and €21,100 in cash from his family home. The drugs were found in the attic of a house in Collinstown Grove, where Gardaí had observed suspicious activity and monitored the area following a tip‑off. Gaynor, who had accrued €70,000 in gambling‑related debt, admitted to being involved in the drug trade but not profiting from it. Judge Orla Crowe sentenced him to seven years' imprisonment, with the final 12 months suspended for three years, and directed him to be supervised by the Probation Service for 18 months after release. The court noted the high value of the drugs, the social harm caused, and Gaynor's lack of prior convictions and early guilty plea. The sentence was back‑dated to 26 June.
Mark Casserly (49) of Rowlagh Park, Clondalkin, was sentenced at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for giving a false account of the movement of a suspect. He pleaded guilty to providing gardai with a false alibi regarding his son, Anthony Casserly, during the investigation into the murder of Wayne Whelan in November 2019. Judge Pauline Codd handed him a five-year prison sentence suspended in full on strict conditions. The court noted that Casserly Sr. gave two statements claiming his son was at home, but CCTV footage contradicted this by showing Anthony leaving the property. Anthony Casserly (26), who was convicted of assisting in the murder, was sentenced in January 2022 to seven years in prison. The judge stated that while Casserly Sr. was motivated to assist his son, his actions perverted the course of justice. The matter was finalised with the imposition of the suspended sentence.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, 38‑year‑old Irene Cullen testified that her step‑father, Noel Foran, sexually abused her about ten times between 1991 and 1998, mostly while she slept. Cullen recalled a specific incident on New Year's Eve 1996 when she was 11, describing how Foran forced himself on her in her bedroom. She said the abuse caused PTSD, self‑harm with razor blades, and long‑term sleep disturbances. Foran pleaded guilty to three counts of sexual assault and was sentenced to three years' imprisonment, with his name placed on the Sex Offenders' Register. The judge praised Cullen's courage in reporting the abuse and noted Foran's lack of prior convictions and remorse. Cullen's statement highlighted the lasting impact of the abuse on her life and her protective stance toward her own children.
Fayed Azeez, 20, of Lucan, was remanded in custody until 10 July after pleading guilty to one count of assault causing harm at Blanchardstown District Court on 6 September 2022. The incident occurred when a security guard warned that youths were fighting outside the courthouse. Azeez arrived with a hammer and a metal gas canister, raised his fists threateningly, and moved toward another male. The injured party, who was assisting a colleague, intervened, took the hammer, and placed Azeez under arrest. Azeez resisted, grabbing the victim's arm and attempting to pull her hands away, resulting in bruising on her left arm. No victim impact statement was available. Azeez had no prior convictions. The Director of Public Prosecution sought summary disposal, but the District Court refused jurisdiction. The investigating Garda and defence lawyer agreed that Azeez had not used or threatened the victim with the hammer and that he was attempting to help a cousin.
Francie Stokes, 23, of Lucan, pleaded guilty to possessing €52,355 as proceeds of crime in his AIB account. The money was fraudulently transferred from a German aviation company. Stokes had a prior money‑laundering conviction for €3,000 in 2020 and a one‑month probation in 2021. AIB recovered €28,000; about €24,000 remains withdrawn. Gardaí noted multiple ATM and internet withdrawals, but CCTV showed none of the accused. Stokes was arrested on suspicion of money laundering, had no legitimate source for the €52,000, and had been receiving pandemic unemployment payments. Judge Martin Nolan, after Probation Services' assessment, sentenced Stokes to 150 hours of community service instead of 18 months' imprisonment. The sentence reflects Stokes' reckless conduct, his family responsibilities, and his prior record of money‑laundering.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing on 15 June 2023, Jaroslow Kilian, a 39‑year‑old Polish national with 27 prior convictions in Ireland, was sentenced to two years' imprisonment for violently attacking five bus passengers on the C4 route from Dublin to Celbridge. Kilian, who had been deported in December 2021 and illegally returned to Ireland in February 2022, was found intoxicated and suffering from schizophrenia. He slapped, punched and kicked passengers, causing concussions to two men and lasting PTSD to a woman who was punched full‑force in the face. Kilian also threatened Gardaí who arrived to arrest him. He pleaded guilty to two counts of assault causing harm and one count of assault, with three further counts considered. The court set a headline sentence of three years, reduced to two years on mitigating factors, and backdated it to 27 August 2022 when he was taken into custody.
In a Central Criminal Court trial, a jury found John Titiloye not guilty of murder but guilty of manslaughter for stabbing Ademola Giwa in the neck during a dispute over a stolen scooter. The jury rejected the prosecution's claim that Titiloye intentionally killed Giwa, instead concluding that the act was a result of provocation and a lack of intent to kill. Titiloye, aged 28, had claimed he was defending his father, Anthony, who had been attacked by Giwa. The judge, Mr Justice McDermott, noted the partial defence of provocation and self‑defence as possible bases for the manslaughter verdict. Titiloye was remanded in custody pending sentencing, with the court scheduled to hear a victim impact statement on 17 July. The case highlighted the jury's unanimous decision after nearly five hours of deliberation.
In the Central Criminal Court, a jury heard that John Titiloye, aged 28, pleaded not guilty to the murder of Ademola Giwa, aged 25, who was fatally stabbed in the neck on 10 August 2021 in Tallaght. Witness Martina Wade testified that on 9 August she was parked at 'Mr Price' when she observed a group of six men, some armed with hammers, engaging in a fight that escalated into a hammer‑fight involving a claw hammer and a mallet. She saw a black Mondeo car involved and noted the men's height and the use of hammers. Wade also described the scene as "too close" and expressed distress. The prosecution alleged that Titiloye produced a knife during a dispute over a debt and a stolen scooter, stabbing Giwa in the neck. The trial, set to continue, involves CCTV footage of the altercation and statements from other witnesses about the scooter and the parties' relationships.
In a Tallaght murder trial, the prosecution presented evidence that 25‑year‑old Ademola Giwa was fatally stabbed in the neck on 10 August 2021 during a dispute over a debt and a stolen scooter. John Titiloye, 26, pleaded not guilty. The State alleged that Titiloye had bought a knife the same day and, after an initial walk away, returned to protect his father, Anthony, who was also injured. The trial heard that Titiloye, Giwa, and Samson Fayemi had a verbal row that escalated into a physical altercation on Mac Uilliam Road. CCTV and mobile footage were cited, and Giwa was pronounced dead at Tallaght Hospital after resuscitation attempts. Titiloye was arrested on 11 August and the case is set to continue before a jury.
Four men are to be sentenced at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for their roles in a multi-million euro investment fraud involving Custom House Capital Ltd (CHC) between October 2008 and July 2011. Former CEO Harry Cassidy, former Head of Private Clients John Whyte, and former Head of Finance Paul Lavery pleaded guilty to conspiring to defraud investors and clients by intentionally misleading them regarding asset placement. John Mulholland pleaded guilty to one count of neglecting his duty as a non-executive director of CHC. Judge Orla Crowe is scheduled to read 197 victim impact statements before passing sentence. The four defendants, who were remanded on continuing bail, face charges related to dishonest acts inducing clients to entrust funds. Separately, Ciara Kelleher, the firm's former senior portfolio relationship manager, pleaded not guilty to a charge of conspiring to defraud investors. Her case was not concluded; a jury failed to reach a verdict earlier this year, and she will face a re-trial in 2025. The court previously noted the need to review extensive material before finalising the proceedings for the four guilty parties.
The State has appealed a High Court ruling that quashed a District Court judge's refusal to hear cases against three individuals accused of breaching publication restrictions under the Children Act 2001. The accused, Edel Doherty, Kyle Rooney, and Declan Corcoran, are alleged to have posted photos or named the teenage boys convicted of murdering Ana Kriegel in 2018. In July last year, Ms Justice Siobhán Phelan ordered the matter returned to the District Court for reconsideration, finding that Judge John Hughes' approach to jurisdiction was unfair. Today, at the Court of Appeal, the State argued that no breach of natural justice occurred and that the High Court erred in its decision. Counsel for the appellants contended that the cases were distinct, with Mr Corcoran accused of naming the boys, causing potentially more serious harm. The court noted that the Director of Public Prosecutions had consented to summary trials at the District Court level. The presiding judge, Mr Justice George Birmingham, reserved his judgment in the matter.
Two men have been sentenced to a combined total of sixteen-and-a-half years imprisonment at the Central Criminal Court for facilitating a criminal organisation in the fatal shooting of Thomas McCarthy. Charles McClean, aged thirty-four, of Clondalkin in Dublin, received ten years, to run consecutively after an eight-year sentence for conspiracy to murder. Mark Lee, aged thirty-two, from Lucan in Dublin, received nine years with the final twelve months suspended. Mr McCarthy, a fifty-five-year-old father of five from England, was shot dead at his mother's home in Ballyfermot on twenty-seventh July two thousand twenty after answering the door. He had no involvement in criminality and was shot nine times with no established motive for the killing. Mr Justice Paul McDermott found that McClean played a prominent role in the carefully planned murder, monitoring the victim's movements and signalling the shooter. Lee demonstrated loyalty to the criminal organisation involved whilst showing little empathy for the victim's family. Both men pleaded guilty to the charges.
At Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, Judge Orla Crowe adjourned the sentencing of four men until May 12, remanding them on the same terms. The defendants, former CHC CEO Harry Cassidy, John Whyte, Paul Lavery, and John Mulholland, pleaded guilty to charges including conspiring to defraud investors and clients of Custom House Capital Ltd (CHC) by misleading them regarding asset placement between October 2008 and July 2011. Mulholland also admitted to neglecting his duties as a non-executive director. The court reviewed 197 victim impact statements detailing severe financial and emotional losses. While the judge indicated a need to review extensive material before finalising the case, the matter was adjourned rather than concluded. Cassidy is disqualified as a director for 15 years, while Whyte faces a 10-year disqualification. A fifth defendant, Ciara Kelleher, pleaded not guilty to conspiracy charges, with her case status remaining contested. The liquidation process has recovered €41 million of the €61 million in misappropriated funds.
Thomas McCarthy, a fifty-five-year-old father of five, was shot dead at his mother's home in Ballyfermot, Dublin, on 27 July 2020, having been due to return to England that same evening following a three-week visit. The Central Criminal Court heard that Mr McCarthy sustained nine separate gunshot injuries when he answered the door, apparently to what he believed was a postal delivery. Charles McClean, aged thirty-four, of Clondalkin, and Mark Lee, aged thirty-two, of Lucan, have each admitted to facilitating a criminal organisation in connection with the fatal shooting. Detective evidence established that Mr McCarthy had no involvement in criminality and there was no apparent motive for the attack. Victim impact statements were read to the court describing the profound devastation caused to Mr McCarthy's family and his long-term partner. Mr Justice Paul McDermott remanded McClean in custody and Lee on continuing bail to 27 April for sentencing. Thomas McCarthy pleaded guilty. Charles McClean pleaded guilty. Mark Lee pleaded guilty.
Sergeant Cathal Middleton, a Garda officer since 2002, has launched a High Court action to challenge his proposed dismissal from An Garda Síochána. The 42-year-old sergeant, who was found guilty of sexual assault at Blanchardstown District Court in October last year, claims the Garda Commissioner's decision to dismiss him before his criminal appeal is heard breaches fair procedures and natural justice. Middleton, who denied the charge, was sentenced to five months in prison following his conviction on one count of sexual assault. He alleges that the Commissioner acted outside their powers by recommending dismissal without a disciplinary hearing, despite an outstanding appeal. Represented by Mark Harty SC and Oisin Clarke BL, Middleton seeks orders to quash the dismissal recommendation and prevent further steps toward his removal. The case came before Mr Justice Charles Meenan, who granted permission for the challenge on an ex-parte basis. The matter was adjourned and will be mentioned before the court later this year.
Adam Schuster, 21, pleaded guilty to demanding €3,500 from a woman in Lucan in June 2020 and to armed burglary in September 2020. He was arrested on the victim's property after a short chase and admitted to carrying a knife. The victim, who had to move homes due to fear, said the incidents caused her family to break up. Schuster's mother testified that he was under pressure from drug debt and had been receiving threatening calls. Judge Orla Crowe sentenced him to a four‑year term, suspended in full on strict conditions, including two years of probation. The court noted his lack of prior convictions, his efforts to rehabilitate, and his moderate risk of re‑offending. The judge described the crimes as an appalling start to his adult life and a huge violation of the homeowner's safety.
Francie Stokes, 23, of Lucan, pleaded guilty to possessing €52,355 in his AIB account as proceeds of crime linked to an invoice redirect fraud. The money was fraudulently transferred from a German aviation company. Stokes had previously received a one‑month probation in October 2021 for laundering €3,000. He is currently on the Pandemic Unemployment Payment and has no legitimate source for the €52,000. AIB recovered €28,000; about €24,000 remains withdrawn. Gardaí found multiple ATM withdrawals, but CCTV showed none were made by Stokes. He exercised his right to silence during questioning. Judge Martin Nolan adjourned the case for ten weeks to allow Probation Services to decide if Stokes is suitable for community service. If suitable, he would be ordered to carry out 150 hours of community service within one year in lieu of an 18‑month prison term. The hearing was held on 16 March 2023.
Four senior executives of Custom House Capital are scheduled for sentencing at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court on April 21 before Judge Orla Crowe. Former CEO Harry Cassidy, former head of private clients John Whyte, and head of finance Paul Lavery pleaded guilty to conspiring with others to defraud investors and clients by intentionally misleading them regarding asset placement. Non-executive director John Mulholland also pleaded guilty to one count of neglectful discharge of a director's duty in relation to the company's dishonest acts. The offences are alleged to have occurred between October 2008 and July 2011. The sentencing hearing is expected to last one day. Separately, former senior portfolio relationship manager Ciara Kelleher pleaded not guilty to one count of conspiring to defraud investors and clients. After a jury failed to reach a verdict earlier this month, Judge Martin Nolan set a re-trial date for January 13, 2025. The matter involving Kelleher remains pending and has not been concluded.
Four senior executives of Custom House Capital have been directed to appear before Dublin Circuit Criminal Court on 8 March following guilty pleas to fraud-related charges. Between October 2022 and January 2023, former chief executive Harry Cassidy, former head of private clients John Whyte, head of finance Paul Lavery, and non-executive director John Mulholland entered pleas of guilty to conspiracy to defraud investors and neglectful discharge of directorial duty. The pleas relate to allegations that the executives intentionally misled clients regarding asset placement between October 2008 and July 2011. Publication of the pleas was delayed pending the trial of co-accused Ciara Kelleher, senior portfolio relationship manager, whose jury failed to reach a verdict at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. Judge Orla Crowe adjourned proceedings pending the defendants' appearance next week.
Killian Kinsella, a former footballer, was sentenced to nine months in jail for stealing mobile phones from a post office where he worked, three months after receiving a suspended two‑year prison sentence for possessing €10,000 worth of cannabis. In July 2021, Judge Melanie Greally had imposed the suspended sentence following a guilty plea. Kinsella, who had no prior convictions, was found by Gardaí in a taxi with a cardboard box containing cannabis. He later pleaded guilty to eight counts of interfering with the post and one count of possession of stolen property. The court noted his loss of employment at An Post and his potential for reform, but concluded that his criminal conduct within the suspension period warranted imprisonment. The nine‑month term is part of the suspended two‑year sentence.
Franklin Olukoya, 18 at the time of the incident, was jailed for eight months after driving without a licence and insurance, causing serious harm to his 17‑year‑old passenger. On 24 June 2019, while driving along Portmarnock, he lost control of the car, which hit a low wall, spun and landed on its side. The passenger suffered a broken back in two places, a fractured thumb and a head contusion, and has undergone surgery and ongoing physiotherapy. Olukoya pleaded guilty to careless driving causing serious harm and driving without insurance. The judge noted the aggravating factors of no licence or insurance, reduced the charge from dangerous driving, and imposed an eight‑month custodial term back‑dated to November, along with a four‑year driving disqualification. He had four prior convictions and admitted he had epilepsy and a history of seizures. The court accepted his guilty plea and remorse.
Ciaran Dolan, 32, of Lucan, was convicted of dangerous driving causing the death of barrister Edward O'Hara on Peamount Road, Newcastle, on 29 January 2022. He was driving a silver Volkswagen Golf at high speed, filmed on his phone at 160 km/h, and collided with O'Hara from behind. O'Hara, walking in the direction of Newcastle, was struck, carried 118 m, and later died at Tallaght Hospital. Dolan fled the scene, later turning the car around and pulling into a lay‑by before being apprehended. He was found to be under the influence of cannabis, had admitted smoking two joints that day, and had signed pleas. The court noted his previous five convictions for road offences, his remorse, and his signed pleas, but also his grossly reprehensible conduct and failure to assist the victim. Judge Martin Nolan sentenced him to five and a half years' imprisonment, deeming a custodial sentence inevitable.