The Special Criminal Court heard closing submissions in the trial of Jim Mansfield Jnr, who has pleaded not guilty to conspiring with one or more persons to falsely imprison Martin Byrne between January 1 and June 30, 2015. He also denies attempting to pervert the course of justice by directing Patrick Byrne to destroy CCTV footage. Defence counsel Bernard Condon SC argued that former INLA members Dessie O'Hare and Declan Duffy were on a "frolic of their own" and that there is insufficient evidence to establish a conspiracy involving Mr Mansfield. He contended that the prosecution failed to prove beyond reasonable doubt that Mr Mansfield knew of the plot or agreed to it. Prosecution counsel Shane Costelloe SC countered that evidence shows Mr Mansfield conspired with the two men, citing the arrangement of the meeting at Keating Park and the subsequent destruction of CCTV footage as indicators of his involvement. The three-judge court, presided over by Mr Justice Alex Owens, will deliver its judgement on the defence application to acquit tomorrow morning.
Jim Mansfield Jnr, aged 54, denies hiring Declan "Whacker" Duffy or Dessie O'Hare, both of whom have pleaded guilty to falsely imprisoning one of Mansfield's employees. He is on trial at the Special Criminal Court for conspiring to abduct security man Martin Byrne and for attempting to pervert the course of justice by directing Byrne's brother, Patrick, to destroy CCTV footage of Byrne's abduction. Mansfield says he never had an issue with Byrne, who worked for him and lived rent‑free at a Dublin property owned by the Mansfields. He claims he never employed Duffy or O'Hare, who he says were known to him but never worked for him, and denies bringing Byrne to them for any purpose. He also denies telling Patrick Byrne to destroy the recording device. The trial continues before a three‑judge court.
During the Special Criminal Court hearing, Patrick Byrne testified that Jim Mansfield Jr. instructed him to destroy a digital recording device that stored CCTV footage from Finnstown House hotel. Byrne, who worked in security with Mansfield's brother Martin Byrne, said Mansfield asked him to remove the device from the system and then to bring it out the back and smash it. Byrne had already viewed the footage, which showed two men attempting to access Martin Byrne's car and both Mansfield and Byrne leaving the hotel in a black Audi A6. Mansfield, 55, denies conspiring to falsely imprison Martin Byrne, 53, between January and June 2015, and denies attempting to pervert the course of justice by directing Byrne to destroy the footage. The case is ongoing at the non‑jury Special Criminal Court presided by Justice Alex Owens.
The Central Criminal Court is set to resume with several high-profile matters, including the appeal of Aaron Brady. Brady, 30, was convicted by an 11-to-1 majority jury verdict for the murder of Detective Garda Adrian Donohoe in January 2013. He was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 40 years, plus a concurrent 14-year sentence for robbery. His appeal is expected in 2022. Other upcoming trials include that of Sameer Syed, 37, accused of murdering his wife Seema Banu and their two children in Rathfarnham in October 2021; his trial is scheduled for June 15, 2022. Michael Scott, 55, faces trial on January 11, 2022, for the alleged murder of Chrissie Treacy in Portumna in 2018. Stephen Silver, 44, is charged with the murder of Garda Colm Horkan in Castlerea in June 2020; his trial is also set for June 15, 2022. Additionally, an appeal by Boy B regarding the 2018 murder of Ana Kriegel is expected before the Court of Appeal. Boy B and Boy A were found guilty in 2019; both were 13 at the time, denied the offences, and were remanded to Oberstown Detention Centre.
Four men have been sentenced to a combined 33 years imprisonment at the Central Criminal Court following their convictions in connection with a gangland murder conspiracy. Wayne Ryan, aged 41 and with an address in Longford, pleaded guilty to the attempted murder of Wayne Whelan at Griffeen Glen Park, Lucan, on September 4th, 2019, and received 15 years. Three others—Cailean Crawford, Darren Henderson, and Charles McClean—pleaded guilty to conspiracy to murder Whelan between May and November 2019. McClean received eight years, whilst Henderson and Crawford each received seven years with the final two years suspended. Mr Justice Michael White noted the "callous indifference" demonstrated in the broad daylight attack outside the victim's home. Whelan survived the initial shooting but was killed in a second attack in November 2019. The judge backdated sentences according to custody commencement dates and imposed good behaviour bonds on Henderson and Crawford regarding their suspended portions.
The trial of businessman Jim Mansfield Jnr (54) was adjourned at the Special Criminal Court until October. Mansfield, of Saggart, Co Dublin, pleaded not guilty to conspiring to falsely imprison Martin Byrne and attempting to pervert the course of justice by directing Patrick Byrne to destroy CCTV footage. The matter was adjourned after Garda evidence regarding exhibits was heard. Previously, Dessie O'Hare (64) pleaded guilty to falsely imprisoning Byrne and assaulting John Roche. He was sentenced to ten years in prison with three years suspended for the false imprisonment and three years for the assault. Christopher Maguire (41) pleaded guilty to falsely imprisoning Lisa Byrne and received a three-year suspended sentence. Declan 'Whacker' Duffy (46) was also sentenced to six years for false imprisonment. Martin Byrne, who testified that Mansfield was present when he was taken prisoner, is currently in the Witness Protection Programme.
Wayne Ryan, aged 41, with an address in Longford but originally from Limerick, has pleaded guilty to the attempted murder of Wayne Whelan at Griffeen Glen Park, Lucan on 4 September 2019. Three Dublin men—Cailean Crawford, Darren Henderson and Charles McClean—pleaded guilty to conspiracy to murder Whelan at that location between May and November 2019. McClean and Whelan had previously been business partners in a car sales enterprise that ceased trading in 2016. Evidence presented to the Central Criminal Court detailed how Whelan was shot eleven times as he sat in his vehicle, struck by four bullets. A badly damaged handgun was recovered from a burnt-out van minutes after the attack. Firearms residue found on Ryan's clothing offered extremely strong support that he had discharged the shots. The four men were remanded in custody pending sentencing on 2 September 2021.
The Special Criminal Court resumed the non‑jury trial of Jim Mansfield Jnr, aged 53, after a seven‑month adjournment. Mansfield is accused of conspiring to falsely imprison Martin Byrne, aged 53, between 1 January and 30 June 2015, and of attempting to pervert the course of justice by directing Patrick Byrne to destroy CCTV footage. Byrne, now in the Witness Protection Programme, testified that Mansfield was "a couple of feet away" when he was taken prisoner by a gang that included former INLA man Dessie O'Hare and former Republican paramilitary Declan "Whacker" Duffy. The trial was adjourned in December to allow Mansfield's lawyers to view previously undisclosed CCTV footage. Defence counsel Tony McGillicuddy challenged redactions, while DPP counsel Shane Costelloe addressed each request. The case continues before Judges Owens, Ni Chulachain and Faughnan, with further evidence to be heard after the summer break. Jim Mansfield Jnr pleaded not guilty.
In a Special Criminal Court hearing, Lisa O'Hara (32) and her former partner James Walsh (37) pleaded guilty to multiple counts of handling or possessing cash that was believed to be the proceeds of crime. O'Hara admitted she did not know the money's origin but was reckless in not asking questions. The pair used €60,000 for a house deposit and paid a builder €62,000 in cash for work on their home. Walsh pleaded guilty to 12 counts involving €136,861, while O'Hara pleaded guilty to nine counts involving €119,126, all between 2015 and 2017. Walsh was also serving an eight‑year firearms sentence from a 2017 raid. The court noted O'Hara's remorse, good work record, and role as sole carer, and adjourned sentencing to 30 July.
The Special Criminal Court trial of businessman Jim Mansfield Jnr, aged 53, is facing a potential delay of more than six months. The delay follows the court's decision to pause proceedings to allow Mansfield's lawyers to review 12 days of CCTV footage that had not been previously disclosed by the Gardaí. Mansfield's defence counsel, Bernard Condon, is currently engaged in another trial that will not conclude in time, prompting his senior counsel, Tony McGillicuddy BL, to request an adjournment. The Director of Public Prosecutions, Caroline Cummings BL, described the delay as a "disappointing turn of events" that could complicate matters for witnesses in the Witness Protection Programme. Judge Alexander Owens stated that the court would consider an adjournment application next Wednesday but emphasized the need to keep the case moving. Jim Mansfield Jnr pleaded not guilty.
The High Court approved Personal Insolvency arrangements for former newspaper owner John Sheils and his wife Susan Casey, allowing them to keep and continue paying mortgage on their 702‑sq‑m house, Annamult House, in Bennetsbridge, Co. Kilkenny, until they reach their mid‑eights. The house, rebuilt after a 2009 fire, also serves as their business venue. They owe about €2.9 million to creditors including Start Mortgages, Pepper Finance, AIB, Bank of Ireland, Everyday Finance and Promontoria Oyster. Under the PIA, they will make mortgage repayments for 336 months (28 years). To fund the arrangement, they will sell assets such as a Blackrock house and a Lucan site, and write off roughly €70,000 of debt. The PIA, lasting 13 months, aims to restore solvency after completion. The judge, Mr Justice Mark Sanfey, expressed some hesitation about the long repayment period but approved the plan due to creditor support.
A former League of Ireland footballer has received a fully suspended five-year sentence at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for drug dealing. Adrian Bajgora, aged 25, pleaded guilty to possession of drugs for sale or supply at his home in Lucan, County Dublin on November 1, 2019. Gardaí discovered cocaine valued at €42,318, along with MDMA, ketamine, Zopiclone tablets, and cannabis during a search of his address. The total value of drugs seized was €45,871. Bajgora, who played for Longford Town reserves and occasionally the first team, told gardaí he intended to sell all the drugs. The court heard he committed the offence due to financial pressure affecting his family. Judge Pauline Codd noted his previous good character, substantial work history, and that the offence was out of character. She imposed the sentence on strict conditions, finding it an exceptional case.
Francis Maguire, 44, was sentenced at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court after pleading guilty to using a car without the consent of its owner, two counts of dangerous driving, driving without insurance, and burglary. The offences occurred in Lucan and Clondalkin between November 16 and 17, 2019. Judge Melanie Greally noted that Maguire drove the stolen vehicle dangerously, crashing into a stationary car with a child inside, though no injuries were reported. Items found in the vehicle linked him to the burglary at Presentation Convent, where forced entry and blood were noted at the scene. The judge highlighted that addiction was the driving force behind the crimes and acknowledged Maguire's cooperation and remorse. Despite his 25 previous convictions and high risk of re-offending, the court considered his efforts to address addiction since 2016. Judge Greally imposed a two-and-a-half year sentence, suspending the final six months on the condition that Maguire undergo 12 months of probation supervision. He was also disqualified from driving for five years. Defence counsel highlighted Maguire's difficult background and his current engagement with services, asking the court to offer hope for his rehabilitation.
Jennifer Ithere, a 24‑year‑old expectant mother from Lucan, Dublin, was given a two‑year suspended sentence for money‑laundering after her bank account was used in a banking scam. In 2019 she pleaded guilty to the offence at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. The scam involved a fraudster who sent her a text message pretending to be from Bank of Ireland, asking her to provide her bank details. The fraudster transferred €8,500 into Ithere's account, which she later admitted she had allowed to be used. The bank froze the account and reimbursed the victim. Garda Derek Brereton noted that Ithere had been pressured with a threat that private photographs would be released if she did not comply. Judge Melanie Greally, hearing the case, imposed a suspended sentence, citing the need for general deterrence and recognising Ithere's young age, full‑time education and pregnancy. The sentence is suspended for two years under strict conditions.
At the Central Criminal Court, four men admitted to offences related to the attempted murder of gangland figure Wayne Whelan at Griffeen Glen Park, Lucan, on September 4, 2019. Cailean Crawford (25), of Ballyfermot, pleaded guilty to conspiring to murder Whelan. His barrister, John Fitzgerald SC, applied for reporting restrictions citing a separate trial scheduled for June 2022. However, Mr Justice White rejected the application, ruling that Crawford could be named, stating he had great faith in the jury system. Wayne Ryan, of Longford, also pleaded guilty to the attempted murder of Whelan. Darren Henderson (30), of Ballyfermot, and a fourth man, who remains unnamed, pleaded guilty to conspiring with Crawford to murder Whelan. All four defendants were originally charged with attempted murder and were due to stand trial together on June 21, a date vacated following their guilty pleas. Whelan, who survived the initial shooting, was later killed in a separate incident in November 2019. Mr Justice White remanded the four men in custody until July 12 for a sentence hearing.
A man from Longford has admitted attempting to murder gangland figure Wayne Whelan in a shooting in west Dublin in September 2019. Wayne Ryan, aged 41 and with an address in St Michael's Road, Longford, pleaded guilty to the attempted murder at Griffeen Glen Park, Lucan on September 4, 2019. Three co-accused, including Darren Henderson of Dublin, also entered guilty pleas to conspiracy to murder Whelan within the State between May and November 2019. The men were arraigned before the Central Criminal Court on May 24, 2021. Whelan survived the initial attack but was fatally shot two months later in November 2019. The four defendants were remanded in custody pending a sentence hearing scheduled for July 12.
Gavin Byrne, 47, pleaded guilty to assault causing harm after throwing an empty pint glass at a man in Tallaght on 3 February 2019. The glass struck Fiona Norman, 30, who was attending a surprise birthday party, causing her chin to be injured and requiring 12 stitches. Byrne, who had no prior convictions, admitted he had been drinking heavily and felt physically ill when the incident was described. He expressed regret and brought a €10,000 bank draft to court as a symbol of remorse, which the victim accepted. Judge Karen O'Connor, noting the offence's significant impact on Norman's anxiety and sense of safety, ordered Byrne to complete 150 hours of community service within 12 months in lieu of a two‑year prison sentence and to hand over the bank draft within seven days.
The Court of Appeal has reserved its judgment on the appeals against conviction lodged by Jason Bradley and Dean Bradley. The brothers were sentenced to life imprisonment in July 2018 after being found guilty of the murder of Neil Reilly in Lucan, Dublin, on January 18, 2017. Their co-accused, Ryan Bradley, was acquitted of murder by direction of the trial judge but pleaded guilty to impeding the investigation, receiving a fully suspended five-year sentence. Their father, Paul Bradley, was acquitted by the jury. Counsel for the appellants argued that the trial judge erred in refusing to discharge the jury after Ryan Bradley's counsel sought a directed verdict, leaving the appellants with a tactical dilemma regarding the testimony of witness Danielle Cusack. They further contended that the admission of Cusack's evidence, derived from enhanced cognitive interviewing, was flawed. The prosecution rebutted these claims, asserting the trial judge's rulings were impeccable. The court, comprising Mr Justice John Edwards, Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy, and Ms Justice Isobel Kennedy, heard the arguments and indicated the matter is complex, with judgment to be reserved.
Vasile Braileanu, 43, was sentenced to 240 hours of community service instead of a two‑year prison term for defrauding motor insurance companies of about €13,000. He pleaded guilty to 15 fraud‑related offences, including dishonestly inducing insurers to offer reduced premiums and creating false No Claims Discount and Experienced Driver certificates. Between April 2015 and November 2017, Braileanu brokered 30 policies for friends and acquaintances, receiving €400‑€600 per policy, though only ten were found by investigators. Gardaí seized a "ghost brokering kit" and templates from his home. He admitted being a customer of a ghost broker in 2013 and later ran his own small, amateur operation. Judge Martin Nolan noted the operation was small and ordered the community service, with the case adjourned to July 7 to assess suitability.
In a Circuit Court hearing, Judge Martin Nolan criticised young people for using their bank accounts to launder stolen money, citing the case of 19‑year‑old Zach Phelan. Phelan had received just over €36,000 of stolen funds in his account and spent nearly €9,000 on luxury goods, including a €5,000 spree at Brown Thomas and €4,000 at electronic stores. He had only a few cents in his account when the transfer occurred, and attempts to move further amounts to offshore accounts failed. Garda Fionnuala Lawlor explained that the money was mistakenly sent to Phelan's account after a hacked email between a business and its client. Phelan pleaded guilty to one count of money laundering on 15 November 2019, when he was 18, and had no prior convictions. The court recovered €14,775 of the stolen money and adjourned sentencing to 30 April.
In a case heard at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, Colin Doyle, aged 26, pleaded guilty to assault causing harm after a heated argument with his long‑time friend Tiarnan Ollry. Doyle admitted punching Ollry, claiming he thought he had kicked him, and expressed remorse. The assault left Ollry with multiple facial fractures, a nose that required resetting, short‑term memory loss, mood swings, and a lasting spot in his left eye. Doyle was arrested, cooperated with investigators, and was described by Garda Emma Gleeson as having no prior convictions and good character. Judge Melanie Greally, after hearing evidence, sentenced Doyle to three years imprisonment, fully suspended on strict conditions, including no prolonged contact with Ollry. Doyle was ordered to pay €10,000 to Ollry as a token of remorse. The case highlighted the severe impact on Ollry's health and social life, while Doyle's remorse and cooperation were noted by counsel.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, Mohammad Bah, a 21‑year‑old college student, avoided jail for stealing five phones from a UPS sorting facility. He pleaded guilty to two counts of theft on 2 August 2019. The judge, after a restorative justice programme, imposed a €100 fine and deferred imprisonment under Section 100 of the Criminal Justice Act 2006, citing Bah's youth and potential for rehabilitation. Bah admitted to being part of a "gang" of employees who stole phones, initially acting as a lookout before profiting from the thefts. He claimed the operation was led by a senior employee and that he earned up to €900 from the stolen phones. The case highlights the court's emphasis on restorative measures for first‑time offenders.
Liam Stoneham, a 24‑year‑old master's student, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to recklessly causing serious harm to Adam Ward after punching him in a pub. The assault, described by Judge Martin Nolan as a "one punch assault", left Ward with a fractured skull, traumatic brain injury, loss of smell and ongoing effects. Stoneham was given a four‑year suspended sentence, with the full term suspended on the condition he pays €10,000 to Ward and raises an additional €10,000 within two years if Ward wishes. The court noted Stoneham had no prior convictions, had shown remorse, and was a good student. CCTV evidence showed Stoneham's punch after a dispute in the bar, and the court considered the injury serious but borderline in severity. Stoneham's family supported him, and he had brought the initial €10,000 to court.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, a 24‑year‑old Muslim woman testified that she was sexually assaulted by Mujahed Omer, a 57‑year‑old father of four who was highly regarded in his community. The victim described how Omer lured her into a bathroom under the pretext of removing fittings, then used a toothbrush, acid, and cream to assault her. She reported the incident to Gardaí, her family, and later to a Sexual Assault Treatment Unit. Judge Pauline Codd praised the victim's courage and stated that any blame or shame lay solely with the perpetrator. Omer, who had no prior convictions, was convicted by a jury and sentenced to four years' imprisonment. The judge noted his continued denial of guilt and lack of remorse. The case highlighted the victim's loss of trust in her community and her avoidance of her local mosque. Mujahed Omer pleaded not guilty.
Four men are to stand trial at the Central Criminal Court in June 2021 on charges of attempting to murder Wayne Whelan in a shooting at Griffeen Glen Park, Lucan, Co Dublin on September 4, 2019. Darren Henderson, Cailean Crawford, and Charles McClean, all with Dublin addresses, face the charge alongside Wayne Ryan of Longford. The four are also accused of arson relating to a Ford Focus set alight at the Old Bog Road in Kilcock, Co Kildare on the same date. At a hearing before Mr Justice Michael White, the Director of Public Prosecutions applied to consolidate the trials, which was granted. The trial, expected to last six weeks, is scheduled to commence on June 21, 2021. Whelan survived the initial shooting but was killed in a separate incident two months later.
The Special Criminal Court adjourned the trial of Jim Mansfield Jnr until June 2, 2021, following a second delay caused by newly disclosed CCTV footage. Mansfield, 53, of Saggart, pleaded not guilty to conspiring to falsely imprison Martin Byrne and attempting to pervert the course of justice by directing the destruction of CCTV footage. The court, presided over by Mr Justice Alexander Owens with Judges Ni Chulachain and Faughnan, granted the defence time to review 12 days of previously undisclosed footage. While the trial is adjourned, related proceedings concluded with Christopher Maguire, 41, of Lusk, receiving a three-year suspended sentence after pleading guilty to falsely imprisoning Martin and Lisa Byrne in Rathcoole/Saggart on June 9, 2015. Maguire's sentence was suspended, with no effective custody imposed. In a separate 2007 matter, James O'Gorman was convicted of defrauding a company director of €54,000. The current trial remains ongoing, with the next mention scheduled for January 2021.
In the Special Criminal Court, the three‑judge panel rejected the defence's request to discharge the judges and order a retrial of Jim Mansfield Junior. Mansfield, 53, is accused of conspiring to falsely imprison Martin Byrne and of attempting to pervert the course of justice by directing Byrne to destroy CCTV footage. The defence, led by Bernard Condon SC, sought to exclude a significant portion of newly disclosed CCTV footage and to adjourn the trial until the defence could review the material. The judges denied both the discharge and the exclusion, stating that the defence would still have an opportunity to question Byrne. The trial, which had been adjourned on 19 November due to the late disclosure of CCTV, was scheduled to resume on 15 December, but further adjournments are expected because of delays in serving the defence with the footage. The case remains in progress. Martin Byrne pleaded not guilty.
James Maughan, 35, was arrested after a 30‑minute high‑speed pursuit in Dublin during which he drove while disqualified, intoxicated, and dangerously. He was found to have 13 stolen power tools worth €6,500 in his vehicle and tested positive for cannabis and cocaine. Maughan claimed he was heading to his child's birthday party. He pleaded guilty to possessing stolen goods, driving while intoxicated, driving without insurance, and two counts of dangerous driving. The Dublin Circuit Criminal Court sentenced him to 18 months' imprisonment and a 15‑year driving disqualification. The judge cited his 160‑previous convictions, including dangerous driving, as an aggravating factor. Maughan's defence noted his severe psychotic disorder and ongoing treatment with the HSE. The stolen tools were largely returned to their owners.
Mohammad Bah, a 20-year-old part-time employee at a United Parcel Service facility in Finglas, County Dublin, pleaded guilty to two counts of theft of phones on August 2, 2019. The court heard that Bah was caught by company investigators with five stolen phones hidden in his trousers and work boots. He admitted to participating in a group of employees who stole, sold, and divided profits from the devices. Although Bah stated he was initially a lookout, he later became directly involved in the thefts. The total value of the phones in his possession was just over €1,900. During the sentencing hearing, Judge Elma Sheahan noted that Bah had no previous convictions and was working to support himself while studying. The judge ordered the €1,900 held by the defense to be donated to St Vincent de Paul. She also directed Bah to engage in a restorative justice programme and ordered a probation report. The matter was adjourned for sentencing on March 5 next year. The report notes that another individual involved in the alleged operation is currently before the courts, but no specific plea or sentence was recorded for that person in this proceeding.
John Lewis, 52, of Lucan, Dublin, was sentenced to seven years' imprisonment for sexually abusing and "prostituting" a 16‑year‑old girl between February and October 2018. Lewis admitted to having sexual intercourse with the victim on 10 to 20 occasions, claiming he had become her "master" while she was his "sub". He also admitted to defilement of a child, sexual exploitation of a child, and possession of child pornography. Evidence included a handwritten "contract" binding the victim to obey Lewis, a list of 128 sexual acts, a black leather dog‑collar, and 77 images and five videos of child pornography. Lewis had previously been convicted of road traffic offences. The court noted that the victim had never engaged in such behaviour before meeting Lewis and that Lewis had cooperated with the investigation. Judge Martin Nolan imposed the sentence without any suspended portion, citing Lewis's immediate cooperation and the seriousness of the offences. John Lewis pleaded guilty.
The Special Criminal Court adjourned the trial of Jim Mansfield Jnr, 53, until December 15 after newly disclosed CCTV footage was discovered. Mansfield Jnr is accused of conspiring to falsely imprison Martin Byrne between January and June 2015 and of attempting to pervert the course of justice by directing Patrick Byrne to destroy CCTV footage. The prosecution, represented by Shane Costelloe SC, revealed that a significant portion of CCTV footage retained on a hard‑drive seized from the Towers on 7 June 2015 had never been disclosed to the State. Defence counsel Bernard Condon SC argued that the undisclosed footage amounted to 12 days of material and that the case should not proceed until he could review it. The court agreed to certify a second junior counsel for four days to examine the footage and adjourned the trial until 15 December, with Mr Justice Alexander Owens presiding alongside Judges Sinead Ni Chulachain and James Faughnan. Jim Mansfield Jnr pleaded not guilty.
The Special Criminal Court trial of Jim Mansfield Jnr, who is accused of conspiring to falsely imprison Martin Byrne and attempting to pervert the course of justice, continues before a non-jury court. Mansfield Jnr has pleaded not guilty to both counts. During cross-examination, alleged victim Martin Byrne, who is in the Witness Protection Programme, testified that the incident was "all Mansfield business" and that Mansfield Jnr was present when he was taken prisoner by a gang including Dessie O'Hare and Declan Duffy. Byrne's son, Brandon Byrne, also gave evidence, describing how his parents were held at The Towers while security guard John Roche was assaulted outside. The court heard that Christopher Maguire, who pleaded guilty to falsely imprisoning Martin and Lisa Byrne on June 9, 2015, received a three-year suspended sentence. Additionally, Daniel Kane, who pleaded guilty to assaulting John Roche and falsely imprisoning Martin Byrne, was sentenced in April 2018 to five years' imprisonment with the final year suspended. Background evidence noted that James O'Gorman was previously convicted of defrauding a company director out of €54,000 in 2007. The trial is ongoing, with proceedings continuing before Mr Justice Alexander Owens and two other judges.
A witness at the Special Criminal Court has testified that property magnate Jim Mansfield Jnr could not have written a note allegedly used during an alleged kidnapping in Dublin. Martin Byrne, a former employee, told the three-judge court that a piece of paper handed to a vehicle driver bore someone else's handwriting. Mr Byrne claims Mr Mansfield Jnr orchestrated his false imprisonment by arranging meetings with paramilitary groups. He described being taken by seven men, including former paramilitaries Dessie O'Hare and Declan Duffy, after a warehouse meeting in 2015. Mr Byrne, now in the Witness Protection Programme, said he was assaulted and later threatened at his home address, known as the Towers in Saggart, County Dublin. Under cross-examination, he rejected suggestions he was fabricating evidence or concealing information when he initially declined to speak with gardaí at the scene. Mr Mansfield Jnr, aged fifty-three, denies conspiracy to falsely imprison Mr Byrne and attempting to pervert the course of justice. The trial continues before Mr Justice Alexander Owens and two other judges. Jim Mansfield Jnr pleaded not guilty.
In the Special Criminal Court, former employee Martin Byrne, aged 53, testified that Jim Mansfield Jnr wanted him to attend the funeral of murdered Real IRA leader Alan Ryan in September 2012 on Mansfield's behalf. Byrne denied being solely employed by convicted fraudster James O'Gorman and claimed he worked mainly for Mansfield, though he also worked for O'Gorman. He said Mansfield had arranged meetings with the New IRA and INLA to help recover family property assets, and that Mansfield had set him up for false imprisonment. Byrne also recounted being taken prisoner by a gang including former INLA man Dessie O'Hare and Declan "Whacker" Duffy, and that he was later robbed of money and documents. The court heard Byrne's evidence about Mansfield's alleged conspiracy to falsely imprison him and attempts to pervert the course of justice. Mansfield pleaded not guilty to both charges.
Martin Byrne, a witness in the trial of Jim Mansfield Jnr, has denied claims by the defence that he cannot keep his story consistent and that he puts people in and out of meetings 'willy nilly'. Byrne, who is now in the Witness Protection Programme, testified that he was falsely imprisoned by a gang of seven men, including former INLA member Dessie O'Hare and former Republican paramilitary Declan 'Whacker' Duffy. The trial, which is in the sentence stage, continues before a three-judge court. Mansfield Jnr has pleaded not guilty to all charges, including conspiring to falsely imprison Byrne and attempting to pervert the course of justice. In April 2019, Dessie O'Hare was jailed for three years for assaulting John Roche and ten years with three suspended for the rest of his life for falsely imprisoning Martin Byrne. In 2018, Declan 'Whacker' Duffy was sentenced to six years imprisonment for assaulting John Roche and falsely imprisoning Martin Byrne. The trial continues tomorrow.
At the Special Criminal Court, Martin Byrne (53), a former in-house security director of the Citywest Hotel and currently in the Witness Protection Programme, denied allegations that he likes to make himself look important or enjoys 'a bit of grandiosity' during cross-examination by defence counsel Bernard Condon SC. Byrne testified that Jim Mansfield Jnr (53) arranged meetings with the New IRA and INLA to assist in reclaiming parts of his family's former property portfolio. He also stated that €2,500 in protection money was being paid weekly to the Real IRA to protect Mansfield Jnr from Traveller gangs. Byrne claimed that Mansfield Jnr was aware of the dangers involved but was determined to recover his property. Mansfield Jnr is accused of conspiring to falsely imprison Byrne between January 1, 2015, and June 30, 2015, and of attempting to pervert the course of justice by directing Patrick Byrne to destroy CCTV footage. The trial continues. In April 2019, Former INLA man Dessie O'Hare was jailed for three years for assaulting John Roche and ten years with three suspended for the rest of his life for falsely imprisoning Martin Byrne. Former Republican paramilitary Declan 'Whacker' Duffy was sentenced to six years in 2018 after pleading guilty to assaulting John Roche and falsely imprisoning Martin Byrne at Rathcoole and Saggart on June 9, 2015.
Rita Ryan, aged 69, pleaded guilty in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to two charges of indecent assault against an 11‑year‑old girl she abused while working as a care assistant at an orphanage in the early 1970s. The abuse, which began with a question about "French kissing" and escalated to mutual masturbation and oral sex, continued for over a hundred occasions until the victim left Ireland. Ryan accepted the court's suggestion that her conduct was a "romantic" or "intimate" relationship and acknowledged it was sexual abuse. Judge Martin Nolan imposed a two‑year custodial term, fully suspended, and ordered Ryan to pay €15,000 to the victim as a token of remorse, with a further €15,000 within a year. The judge noted Ryan's admissions, lack of prior convictions, and community contributions as mitigating factors, while emphasising the prolonged nature of the abuse and the age disparity between the parties.
Jim Mansfield Jnr is on trial at the Special Criminal Court in Dublin, charged with conspiracy to commit false imprisonment and attempting to pervert the course of justice five years ago. The accused is alleged to have conspired with one or more persons to falsely imprison Martin Byrne on a date unknown between January 1, 2015 and June 30, 2015, both dates inclusive. He is also charged with attempting to pervert the course of justice by directing Patrick Byrne to destroy recorded CCTV footage, with the alleged intention of perverting the course of public justice in relation to the false imprisonment of Martin Byrne at Finnstown House Hotel, Newcastle Road, Lucan, Co Dublin between June 9, 2015 and June 12, 2015. Mr Mansfield has pleaded not guilty to both counts on the indictment. Martin Byrne, who is now in the Witness Protection Programme, testified that he arranged meetings with the New IRA and the INLA to assist Mr Mansfield in getting back parts of his family's former property portfolio. He also stated that he believed Mr Mansfield had set him up and tried to confront him but was grabbed from behind and pushed into a waiting car. The trial continues on Monday before Mr Justice Alexander Owens presiding, sitting with Judge Sinead Ni Chulachain and Judge James Faughnan. Former INLA man Dessie O'Hare was jailed by the Special Criminal Court for three years for assaulting John Roche and ten years with three suspended for the rest of his life for falsely imprisoning Martin Byrne. Former Republican paramilitary Declan "Whacker" Duffy was sentenced by the Special Criminal Court to six years imprisonment in 2018 after pleading guilty to assaulting John Roche, causing him harm, at The Towers, Garter Lane, Saggart, County Dublin on June 9, 2015.
Businessman Jim Mansfield Jnr is on trial at the Special Criminal Court, charged with conspiracy to commit false imprisonment and attempting to pervert the course of justice. He has pleaded not guilty to both counts. The prosecution alleges that on June 9, 2015, Mansfield effectively delivered his longtime employee, Martin Byrne, into the arms of a group of men who falsely imprisoned Byrne and his family. The State claims Mansfield directed Byrne to a meeting at Keatings Park where he was confronted by Dessie O'Hare and Declan Duffy, after which Byrne was restrained by seven men and taken to The Towers in Saggart. The second count alleges Mansfield instructed Patrick Byrne to destroy CCTV footage from Finnstown House Hotel to pervert justice. The trial continues before Mr Justice Alexander Owens, sitting with Judges Sinead Ni Chulachain and James Faughnan. In related matters, former INLA member Dessie O'Hare was sentenced in April 2019 to three years for assaulting John Roche and ten years, with three suspended for life, for falsely imprisoning Martin Byrne. Former Republican paramilitary Declan Duffy was sentenced in 2018 to six years imprisonment after pleading guilty to assaulting John Roche and falsely imprisoning Martin Byrne on the same date.
Businessman Jim Mansfield Jnr, aged 52, pleaded not guilty to false imprisonment and perversion of justice charges before the Special Criminal Court. He is accused of conspiring to falsely imprison Martin Byrne between 1 January and 30 June 2015, and of directing Patrick Byrne to destroy CCTV footage to pervert justice regarding Byrne's false imprisonment at Finnstown House Hotel from 9 to 12 June 2015. The court heard that Byrne is now in the Witness Protection Programme. Mansfield appeared in a navy suit with family members, while defence counsel Bernard Condon SC argued that an employee isolated due to Covid‑19 could be a defence witness. The judge ruled the employee was not entitled to attend. The Director of Public Prosecutions noted disclosure issues and protected witnesses, and the case was postponed to Tuesday, with the trial expected to last three weeks. Mansfield remains on bail with conditions including weekly Garda sign‑ons and a €10,000 surety.
John Tierney, aged 53, of Rockhouse, Gowna, County Cavan, received a fully suspended sentence at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court following his guilty plea to dangerous driving causing death. The collision occurred on the N4 motorway near Junction 3 in Lucan, County Dublin, on 10 December 2018, when Tierney's vehicle suddenly moved into a bus lane, striking the motorcycle of Stephen Fee, who was fatally injured. Judge Martin Nolan imposed a one-year custodial sentence, suspended in full, and disqualified Tierney from driving for eight years. The court heard that Tierney's vehicle had begun losing power due to a diesel particle filter issue, leading him to change lanes without ensuring the path was clear. Tierney had no previous convictions. The judge characterised the driving as a misjudgement rather than reckless behaviour, citing strong mitigating factors including Tierney's guilty plea, cooperation with gardaí, and significant health difficulties. Impact statements from the victim's family were read to the court.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, 42‑year‑old Sergio Arriaga pleaded guilty to possession of child pornography. He had downloaded 2,745 images and 234 videos, some depicting children as young as two, from a peer‑to‑peer network. The material was stored on 11 hard drives seized during a 2013 search warrant, which was executed after information from German parties. Arriaga, who has no prior convictions, claimed the material was a coping mechanism for loneliness, isolation and depression, and denied any sexual interest in real teenage girls. He admitted he first encountered the material in a block download and became interested in adolescent images, but insisted he did not distribute or produce any files. The judge adjourned the case to 15 October to decide on a probation report.
Boy B, a 15‑year‑old, was found guilty of murdering 14‑year‑old Ana Kriegel in 2018 and sentenced to 15 years' detention, review after eight years. He is appealing only the conviction, not the sentence. His defence argues that a clinical psychologist, Dr Colm Humphreys, had evidence that Boy B suffered post‑traumatic stress disorder after witnessing the assault and that his lies to Gardaí did not prove guilt. The trial judge ruled that evidence inadmissible, claiming it would make the psychologist a 13th juror. Boy B's counsel, James Dwyer, has made an unusual application to exceed legal aid limits to engage a UK psychologist to review the Gardaí interview videos. The Court of Appeal is considering whether an expert can be involved post‑conviction and has allowed the application to be renewed later. Boy B remains in Oberstown Children Detention Campus, with earliest release in June 2027.
Ibrahim Azeez, 28, pleaded guilty in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to handling two stolen laptops, a phone and a camera that had been bought through a fake PayPal account. The items, worth €2,875, were sent by registered post to a man in Lucan who never paid. A post office worker, suspicious of fake ID, reported the incident; CCTV and a utility bill linked the man's car registration to Azeez, leading to his arrest. Azeez denied wrongdoing and claimed he would raise money to reimburse the owners. The court described the offence as a devious crime but, finding it unfair to imprison him, Judge Martin Nolan imposed a suspended sentence of two and a half years. Azeez must pay €3,000 within a month and an additional €2,000 within 12 months to the victims, with the full sentence suspended on that condition.
Derek Carrick, aged 43, was sentenced to five and a half years' imprisonment after pleading guilty to aggravated burglary in Ballyfermot on 11 February 2019 and unlawfully seizing a car on 10 October 2019. Carrick, a nephew of three brothers in their 50s and 60s, entered their home armed with knives and wearing a balaclava. Two brothers were held at knife‑point downstairs while Carrick took a third victim upstairs and stole €12,000 from an envelope and €80 from a bag. He also jumped into a 68‑year‑old woman's car, which he started without a key, and drove away. The car was later recovered with Carrick asleep inside. Carrick had 44 prior convictions, made full admissions, and apologized to the woman. Judge Martin Nolan described the burglary as "despicable" and noted the crime was frightening, though not violently extreme. He imposed the sentence after noting Carrick's remorse and the disappointment felt by the victims.
Uniformal Ltd, a Dublin‑based clothing supplier, obtained a freezing order against Taurus Gemini Real Estate BV (Gemini Group) of Bergen, Netherlands, after the Dutch firm failed to deliver one million protective face‑masks. Uniformal had agreed to pay €250,000 in advance and a further €250,000 upon delivery, with the masks to be sourced from China and delivered in late April. The masks never arrived; Gemini initially cited poor quality of the original consignment and proposed a replacement batch, which Uniformal rejected and demanded a refund. Correspondence in May indicated Gemini promised delivery on 10 May and 22 May, but the masks remained missing and the €250,000 was not refunded. Gemini allegedly provided false customs clearance documents. Uniformal seeks an order to recover the €250,000, declarations of breach, and damages, and has lodged a Gardaí complaint while an investigation proceeds.
In May 2020 a burglar, Dominic Rogers, 21, was caught by a homeowner standing in a bush near the scene of a burglary in Lucan. Rogers had earlier pleaded guilty in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to possession of a stolen car at an M1 toll plaza on 28 June 2019 and to burglary at Foxpark on 26 September 2019. He had five prior convictions, including drug possession and deception. Gardaí had CCTV showing him driving the stolen car and later found him in a bush holding a torch after a house in Lucan had been broken into. Rogers denied involvement in the burglary but later accepted responsibility. Judge Martin Nolan sentenced him to one year for the car offence and two years for the burglary, to run consecutively for a total of three years, with the final 12 months suspended on strict conditions.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing on 30 April 2020, the judge refused bail for 21‑year‑old Dominic Rogers, who had been on bail since June 2019. Rogers had been caught with a stolen car and later broke into a home in Lucan. He has five prior convictions, all while on bail, including drug possession and traffic offences. He pleaded guilty to possession of a stolen car at M1 Toll Plaza on 28 June 2019 and to burglary at Foxpark on 26 September 2019. Rogers has taken nine bench warrants between May and July 2019 and failed to comply with bail conditions, notably signing on at Lucan Garda Station 83 times. The judge, citing the likelihood of a custodial sentence and concerns that Rogers might commit further offences, remanded him in custody and set sentencing for 13 May 2020.
In 2018, 13‑year‑old Boy B lured 14‑year‑old Ana Kriegel from her home to a derelict house in St Catherine's Park, Lucan, where he and Boy A attacked her. Boy B later admitted seeing Boy A assault Ana. In June 2019, a Central Criminal Court jury found Boy B, now 15, guilty of murder; he received a 15‑year sentence, reviewable after eight years. Boy A was also convicted of aggravated sexual assault and sentenced to life with a 12‑year review and eight years for the assault. Boy B's appeal, originally scheduled for April 24, 2020, was postponed because he changed counsel and will be heard later. The DPP will file its own submissions by April 3. The appeal concerns only the conviction, not the sentence. Boy B remains detained at Oberstown Children Detention Campus, with an earliest possible release in June 2027.
The Special Criminal Court has adjourned the trial of Jim Mansfield Jnr, of Tasaggart House, Garters Lane, Saggart, Co Dublin, to October 5 due to complications with witness availability caused by the Covid-19 crisis. The trial was originally scheduled for April 20 on charges of conspiring with one or more persons to falsely imprison Martin Byrne on a date unknown between January 1, 2015 and June 30, 2015, both dates inclusive. Additionally, Mansfield Jnr is charged with attempting to pervert the course of justice by directing Patrick Byrne to destroy recorded CCTV footage, with the alleged intention of perverting the course of public justice in relation to the false imprisonment of Martin Byrne at Finnstown House Hotel, Newcastle Road, Lucan, Co Dublin between June 9, 2015 and June 12, 2015. The matter was adjourned following concerns over witness availability during the pandemic. Mansfield Jnr, who is currently on bail, was present in court for the brief mention. In December, he was granted legal aid after the Special Criminal Court heard that he had had a €6 million judgment against him.