A 29-year-old woman from Coolaney, Sligo, has been sentenced to 21 months in prison after pleading guilty to making a false criminal complaint at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. Nicole Chambers alleged that a male prison officer had sexually assaulted her in a hospital cubicle whilst escorting her for medical treatment in August 2020. Hospital CCTV footage, corroborated by the officer's female colleague and medical staff, established that the officer never entered the cubicle and remained outside in accordance with protocol. When confronted with the footage, Chambers initially maintained her account before later retracting the allegation and apologising to the officer and prison service. Judge Martin Nolan described the allegation as malicious and self-serving, noting it had caused profound harm to the victim and could have resulted in a trial absent the camera evidence. The judge acknowledged Chambers' complex psychiatric history and functional neurological disorder but found she understood the distinction between right and wrong. She has 34 previous convictions, including an earlier custodial sentence for making false reports.
Rhys Murphy, 20, of Tallaght, pleaded guilty at Tallaght District Court to possessing a knife in the early hours of 4 May 2025, an offence under section 9 of the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act. The court heard that gardaí were flagged down at Glenview Park during a late-night chase, where a knife was observed being thrown from a vehicle. Murphy was identified as the person who discarded the weapon, which was subsequently recovered and produced in court. Although defence counsel Michael Hennessy argued that Murphy was a passenger who instinctively threw the knife after it was handed to him, the judge noted that Murphy made no reasonable explanation for possessing it. Judge Patricia McNamara examined the six-inch knife and commented on its appearance. She described Murphy as pleasant but naive and vulnerable to negative peer pressure, warning that possessing a knife increases the likelihood of its use. The court noted Murphy has previous convictions for traffic matters and theft, but none for weapons. In sentencing, Judge McNamara remanded Murphy on continuing bail until 16 January. On that date, he will appear again before Tallaght District Court to engage voluntarily with the Restorative Justice Programme. The judge advised him to stay out of trouble in the interim, stating the court would review his progress at the next hearing.
A man has been jailed for eight years for his role in an aggravated burglary during which a woman was attacked with a wrench in the bedroom of her home. William Doyle (24) of Knocknarea Road, Drimnagh, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to aggravated burglary on November 20, 2021. His co-accused, who was responsible for the attack on the woman and a second attack on her husband, has previously been jailed for 12 years. Doyle was 19 years old at the time of the burglary and had initially denied the offences and elected for trial. He fled to the UK and was arrested and extradited back to Ireland in July this year. Garda Stephen Daly told the court that the woman woke to an intruder in her bedroom just before midnight. She was attacked with a wrench, requiring stitches to her face and head. Her husband was also attacked with the wrench. The burglars escaped before gardaí could catch them. Doyle was ultimately nominated as a suspect and was arrested in April 2021.
A Dublin man has been jailed for one year for threatening to kill his former partner after the 'red mist descended' when he was made aware of a serious sexual allegation against him. The 26-year-old man pleaded guilty to sending a message of a menacing character by telephone in November 2022. Evidence was heard that the man was arrested in early November 2022 on foot of outstanding warrants and at this point, he became aware of the allegation. He was brought to the Criminal Courts of Justice and received bail. Several hours after he became aware of the allegation, he made the call threatening his former partner. The woman told gardai that he said he was going to kill her and her junkie boyfriend and slice her face. He used his brother's girlfriend's phone and made the call as he was leaving the courts building. Gardai seized the phone and established that the call lasted one minute and six seconds. The woman told the court she is constantly afraid and suffers with anxiety.
A Brazilian woman who claimed she was threatened and felt forced to bring more than €65,000 worth of cocaine into Ireland has been jailed for two years. Cleoviany Pedrosa (26) carried 35 pellets of cocaine in her luggage but also swallowed over 60 pellets of the drug. She told gardaí that she had initially agreed to transport the drugs because she was under financial pressure but when she tried to change her mind, she was threatened and forced into delivering the drugs. She was promised €3,000 for her role, and her flights and hotel stay were paid for. Pedrosa pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to having cocaine for sale or supply on March 16, 2025. She is a mother of six with no previous convictions. The court heard that customos officers felt Pedrosa was acting suspiciously and stopped her after she got off a flight from São Paulo. Officers found 35 pellets of the drug in her suitcase.
Suzanne Mangan, the accused in the murder trial of Maud Coffey, has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity. The Central Criminal Court jury heard that the 53-year-old man admitted to killing his girlfriend at the Horizon Building in Ashtown, Dublin 15, on January 13, 2023. Prosecution counsel Brendan Grehan SC stated that the accused told gardai he killed Ms Coffey, referencing "the devil, the bible and to the killing of Lucifer." Ms Coffey, 41, died from asphyxia and sharp force trauma. The prosecution noted the accused had a history of non-compliance with medication for mental health conditions, including schizoaffective disorder. While the defense's psychiatrist argued the accused met criteria for insanity, the State's consultant forensic psychiatrist, Dr Richard Church, opined the disorder's severity entitled the jury to consider diminished responsibility rather than a full finding of insanity. The defense, represented by Patrick Gageby SC, made formal admissions that the accused killed Ms Coffey. The trial continues before Mr Justice Paul Burns and a jury of seven men and five women.
A jury has viewed CCTV footage of the moment Patrick Murphy, a father of four, fatally stabbed Jordan Ronan outside his home in what he claimed was an act of self-defence. Murphy has pleaded not guilty to murder, though he admitted stabbing Ronan. The trial heard that Murphy appeared slightly nervous when gardai arrived at his home shortly after the incident and muttered under his breath, calling the situation a 'load of bol****s'. Garda Dara Kelly presented CCTV footage from three houses on Drumcairn Avenue and a Ring doorbell, showing Murphy and Ronan between 3.07am and 3.13am. The footage indicated that Ronan approached Murphy's house, activating convenience lights in Murphy's van before moving to a BMW belonging to Murphy's partner. At 3.12am, Murphy was seen at the front door, and nine seconds later, he was seen standing back from the car. Garda James Cullen arrived at the scene and found Ronan being given CPR by firefighters. A Revolut card registered to Murphy was found on Ronan.
Dublin Circuit Criminal Court sentenced Bayleigh Fox and Saoirse Richardson for the robbery and assault of a trans woman at Devil's Lane, Cabinteely. Fox, 22, pleaded guilty to robbery and assault causing harm aggravated by hatred, while Richardson, 22, pleaded guilty to robbery and assault causing harm. Judge Martin Nolan described the incident as a "savage attack" where the victim was lured to a quiet area and assaulted. The court noted the victim suffered significant physical injuries and psychological trauma, including PTSD. Although the judge found the motive regarding an Xbox unclear, he emphasized the outrageous nature of the attack on a defenceless victim. Both defendants offered mitigation, including early guilty pleas, young ages, cooperation, and participation in rehabilitative programmes for addiction. The judge acknowledged their "close to perfect mitigation" but stated they must endure prison terms. Fox was sentenced to 18 months in prison, and Richardson received a one-year sentence. The prosecution was brought under legislation introduced late last year, highlighting the hate-aggravated nature of the offence against the victim.
Adjudicator John Harraghy has adjourned overnight the Workplace Relations Commission hearing involving Aer Lingus pilot Declan McCabe, who is pursuing statutory complaints under the Protected Disclosures Act 2014, the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005, and the Payment of Wages Act 1997. Aer Lingus contests these claims. Mr McCabe alleges he felt "under duress" during a safety investigation into a June 2023 navigation incident to attribute the issue to human error rather than a "technical difficulty with the aircraft." He denies management findings that he failed to submit a timely safety report and provided inaccurate information to Air Nav Ireland. Cross-examination focused on whether the aircraft was establishing for the wrong runway and whether this constituted a reportable matter. Mr McCabe stated that evidence pointing to multi-mode receiver issues was withheld from him. He was demoted from captain to first officer in January 2024, a sanction he alleges was predetermined penalisation linked to a 2011 fatigue dispute. The matter was adjourned overnight, with hearings scheduled for two more days this week.
A 59-year-old man from Silloge Park, Ballymun, Dublin 11, who claimed he found a bag containing over €19,000 worth of cannabis and three shotgun cartridges in a local park, has been given a fully suspended three-year sentence. Anthony White pleaded guilty to possession of cannabis for sale or supply and unlawful possession of the shotgun cartridges. He told gardai he found the items in an area where bikes are burned and hid them to avoid his brother discovering them. However, Garda Tommy Kinneally stated he did not believe White's explanation. Judge Martin Nolan noted that White was holding the drugs for some small reward and considered his low level of culpability, as well as his personal circumstances. The judge said White was a mature man who would have known his actions were wrong but concluded there was little use in sending him to prison. White has no previous convictions and has been working on a Community Employment scheme.
A father and son sold a motorhome that had been stolen from the UK and fitted with fake plates eight times to an unsuspecting buyer who used his inheritance to buy it. John Tracey and Jordan Keogh pleaded guilty to handling stolen property. The motorhome had been cloned so that it was unrecognisable as a stolen vehicle. The buyer later discovered the motorhome was stolen and was left out of pocket. Keogh used part of the money to pay off a drug debt. Both men were sentenced to suspended terms, with conditions that they pay the victim back. The court noted that both men had enough experience with vehicles to be suspicious of the motorhome and were seriously reckless in their actions.
Elon Musk and X Holdings Corp, acting as appellants, were granted permission by the High Court to challenge a formal investigation by Comisiún na Meán into whether the X platform contravened Article 20 of the EU Digital Services Act regarding internal complaint-handling systems. Ms Justice Mary Rose Gearty also granted a stay on the investigation until the matter is heard next year. The appellants, based in the US, submitted that they are not the provider of the X service in the EU, arguing that X Internet Unlimited Company (XIUC) is the designated provider. They claimed the commission acted beyond its powers by investigating them without determining their status as intermediary service providers. XIUC, which also sought leave for judicial review, argued the commission unlawfully varied the investigation's scope and that the notice lacked legal certainty and specific particulars of suspected contraventions. Ms Justice Gearty granted both applications for leave to seek judicial review and ordered a stay on the investigation pending the hearing scheduled for January. The matter remains at the procedural stage of an appeal, with the investigation suspended rather than concluded.
A 23-year-old who was stopped by gardai with almost €7,000 in crime proceeds in a sock will no longer serve 15 months additional jail time for the offences, after a judge gave him a 'break' and varied his sentence on appeal. Ross Kavanagh was originally sentenced to 15 months in custody for money laundering and drug-related offences. He was found with €6,900 in cash and €1,696 worth of cannabis. His lawyer argued that Kavanagh was the 'breadwinner' of his family and was under pressure. The judge varied the sentence, suspending the six-month term for the sale and supply of drugs charge for 12 months from his release. He also ordered the forfeiture of the cash and the destruction of the drugs. Ross Kavanagh was convicted.
A man who attempted to punch a garda while being taken to Tallaght Garda Station has been sent for a probation report. Deividas Subacius (46) pleaded guilty to threatening and abusive behaviour, intoxication, and violent behaviour on 2 November last year. The court heard that Gardaí were responding to a domestic incident when they encountered Subacius outside an apartment block. He was highly intoxicated, aggressive, and shouted abuse at the officers. During the arrest, he attempted to strike a garda in the back on the way to the station, requiring eight officers to restrain him. Upon arrival at the station, it took eight Gardaí to subdue him and place him in a cell. Subacius has nine previous convictions, including eight for public order and one for assault. Judge Karen Dowling ordered a probation report and adjourned the matter to 6 March, 2026.
A businessman who charged €120 per hour for padel and pickleball lessons sent 'intimidating' and 'threatening' texts to a coach who was left short on his wages after being let go due to low demand, according to a tribunal. William McGlade, founder of 'House of Padel' in Dublin, accused the coach, Andrés Martínez-Cuquerella, of 'lying about the job you're doing' and 'manipulation of your worth' in messages revealed during a Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) hearing. Martínez-Cuquerella, who was employed for eight weeks before being terminated in March, has now secured an order for unpaid wages and notice following a rights complaint. His base pay was €14 an hour, with a €30-an-hour premium for coaching, which customers were charged €120 for. He was owed €224 in public holiday pay, €336 for accrued annual leave, and an underpayment of €16 for an hour's coaching.
A man described as a 'suitable dupe' has been jailed for five years after transporting over €830,000 worth of heroin. Stuart O'Brien (46) of Rutland Grove, Crumlin, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to possession of heroin for sale or supply on March 15, 2023. Gardai were conducting a surveillance operation in north Dublin after receiving confidential information. O'Brien was seen meeting a co-accused at a service station on the Malahide Road, where he was handed a bag containing heroin. The bag was later transferred to a third man, who was stopped by gardai and found to be in possession of 12 slabs of heroin weighing 5.9kg with a value of €831,000. O'Brien was arrested, but no evidence was obtained during his interview. He has two previous convictions, and the other co-accused has since died. O'Brien's defence highlighted his medical history, including a brain hemorrhage over 20 years ago, and his lack of trappings of wealth or addiction issues. He also noted that O'Brien has a job offer and receives disability benefits when not working.
A Dublin man has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to the murder of a woman in an apartment in the capital two years ago. This afternoon, Ms Justice Melanie Greally swore a jury of seven men and five women to hear the trial of Austin Mangan (53), who is charged with the murder of Maud Coffey (41) at the Horizon Building in Royal Canal Park, Ashtown, Dublin 15 on January 13, 2023. Mr Mangan, with a previous address at Hollybank Road in Drumcondra but more recently of the Beaumont area of Dublin, pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity. Ms Justice Greally said the trial will begin tomorrow and is likely to last up to six days. The case has drawn significant public and media attention, given the nature of the charge and the plea. The court is expected to hear detailed evidence over the coming days as the trial proceeds. The accused's mental state will be a central focus of the proceedings, with expert testimony likely to be presented.
A robber who carried out a vicious raid on a shop was caught after gardai used CCTV to trace him back to his apartment. Keith Kinlan (50) pleaded guilty to robbery at Spar on Gardiner Street, Dublin 1. He was sentenced to four and a half years, with the final six months suspended. Gardai identified Kinlan through CCTV footage and found him in his apartment the following day. He has 125 previous convictions and was on bail for theft and fraud at the time. His defense argued it was a crime of desperation due to his drug addiction. Judge Orla Crowe acknowledged his drug addiction and rehabilitation efforts, but sentenced him to four years and six months, with the final six months suspended on strict conditions.
Peter Kelly, a former teacher at a Spiritan-run school, has been jailed for 10 years for the indecent assault of eight boys over 30 years ago. Kelly was convicted of 28 counts of indecent assault at Willow Park School, where he was accused of being one cog in a machine of systematic abuse. The victims, now in their early 50s, described the abuse as traumatic and ongoing, with some suffering from psychiatric issues, addiction, and intergenerational harm. Judge Elma Sheahan noted the bravery of the victims and the significant damage caused by Kelly. The abuse occurred in various locations, including classrooms and the school gym, and involved games such as 'The Muppet Show' where Kelly would tickle and molest the children. The victims spoke of the lasting impact of the abuse, including PTSD, insomnia, and panic attacks. Kelly's defense argued that he never owned a passport and that the school had its own disciplinary regime. The judge imposed a global consecutive sentence of 10 years, noting the lack of acceptance of the verdict by Kelly. Peter Kelly pleaded not guilty.
Three men, Anas Altahlh (40), Issa Al Aboud (43), and Mohamad Alsourani (43), were jailed for three years after being found in possession of over €345,000 in cash. The men arrived in Dublin from Denmark and were en route to Istanbul when Gardaí intercepted them on the Drumcondra Road. During the search, Garda Shauna Ferncombe discovered two suitcases containing €206,000 and €135,000, along with an additional €4,900 in a backpack. The men, who are originally from Syria and now reside in Sweden, claimed they were visiting as tourists and to look for work. They had no previous convictions and were assisted by interpreters during the hearing. The court heard that the men were likely acting as couriers for the illicit funds. Judge Martin Nolan stated that the men must have known they were handling illegal money and imposed a three-year sentence, backdated to the date they were taken into custody.
A 60-year-old man is accused of threatening to behead his 91-year-old father during an alleged incident at their home in Rathfarnham earlier this year. Joe Kenny, of Glendoher Drive, Rathfarnham, Dublin 16, appeared before Tallaght District Court charged with assaulting his father and causing him harm. He is also accused of producing a knife during the incident in a way that was likely to intimidate. The alleged incident occurred on 21 February last, following which Gardaí were called to the house after reports that the accused had threatened to 'cut the head off' his father during a row. Officers found the 91-year-old man had sustained a laceration to the skin on his neck, which bled but was not classified as a serious injury. It was alleged that the accused had held a six-inch carving knife to his father's throat during the incident. However, the alleged injured party withdrew his statement on 29 November, and the DPP must now consider how the prosecution is to proceed. Judge Patricia McNamara refused jurisdiction due to the seriousness of the charges.
A 34-year-old man was jailed for 21 months after pleading guilty to harassment, trespass, breaching a protection order, and assault. The man was found to have sent hundreds of messages to his former partner through the Revolut app after she blocked him on other platforms. He also turned up unannounced at her home and caused her physical harm. The victim stated that the man's actions left a deep psychological scar and changed her life significantly. The man also assaulted his current partner after discovering he had an affair with the first victim. He was found guilty of assault causing harm and was sentenced to 21 months in prison. The judge noted the impact of the man's actions on both victims and imposed a global sentence, including a 15-year no-contact order with the first victim.
A man with 115 previous convictions, Eoin Jarvis (34), who damaged a car in a Dublin car park, had his eight-month jail term replaced with a fully suspended sentence on appeal. The District Court Appeals Court heard that Jarvis, who has last address at Blanchardstown, Dublin 15, was convicted of damaging property at Park Rite, Parnell Street, Dublin 1, under section 2(1) of the Criminal Damage Act, 1991. Garda Craig White told the court that Jarvis damaged a Nissan Qashqai SUV on July 10, 2024. Defence counsel, Paul Larkin Coyle BL, stated that Jarvis has made considerable progress, is now sober, and has completed treatment with Merchants Quay Ireland. He has a construction course lined up and has not come to garda attention in recent months. Judge Jonathan Dunphy noted Jarvis's progress and decided to fully suspend the eight-month sentence for two years, with conditions including participation in aftercare, addiction counselling, and continued attendance at Merchants Quay Ireland and St James Camino Network services.
Dean Joyce, 33, was sentenced at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court after pleading guilty to one count of threatening to kill and one count of simple assault of his then partner at an address in Tallaght on November 6, 2024. The court heard that Joyce had 341 previous convictions. Prosecution evidence alleged that Joyce pursued his partner, who was eight months pregnant, outside their home while brandishing a hammer, threatening to kill her and their unborn child before forcing her back inside. He allegedly confiscated her phone until the following morning. A further count of production of an article was taken into consideration. Judge Orla Crowe described the conduct as heinous offending towards a woman in advanced pregnancy. While acknowledging Joyce's childhood deprivation and mitigating factors, the judge set a headline sentence of six years, reduced to four years. To incentivise rehabilitation and protect society, the judge suspended the final six months of the sentence, conditional on Joyce remaining under the supervision of the Probation Service during that period. Joyce has been in custody since his arrest.
The DPP accepted pleas of guilty to assault causing harm from four defendants after alleged victim Barry Moore (34) refused to testify. Jason Hennessy Jr (28), Brandon Hennessy (22), Kenneth Fitzsimons (45), and Dean Fitzsimons (25) had been charged with false imprisonment and causing serious harm, offences carrying potential life sentences. The State accepted the lesser pleas, which carry a maximum ten-year sentence, on a full facts basis. Ms Justice Karen O'Connor adjourned the matter for a sentencing hearing on January 26 next year. Mr Moore, who was arrested on a bench warrant, maintained his refusal to give evidence despite warnings of a prison sentence for non-cooperation. The DPP indicated Mr Moore would be released from custody. Devon Hennessy, who previously pleaded guilty to falsely imprisoning and assaulting Mr Moore to enhance criminal gang activities, is not part of this current trial. The court will hear evidence including photographs, medical records, CCTV, and statements made to gardai, as the State seeks to admit these without cross-examination.
A jury has unanimously convicted Christopher Devine of murder, rejecting his claim that he suffered from a substance-induced psychotic disorder due to heavy cocaine and alcohol use. Devine, who shot Michael Tormey five times in the victim's front garden, argued that his mental state diminished his capacity to control his actions. However, the court accepted the prosecution's argument that Devine acted deliberately. The trial revealed that Devine had no psychiatric history and had never taken psychiatric medication. The jury rejected the defense's claim that he was too intoxicated to form an intention to kill. The judge, Ms Justice Melanie Greally, adjourned the case until December 19, when Devine will face a mandatory life sentence. The Tormey family will be invited to make statements on that date. Devine had pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter. The trial heard conflicting expert opinions on whether Devine met the criteria for diminished responsibility or cocaine intoxication. The jury deliberated for over four hours and found Devine guilty of murder.
Serial sex offender Philip Murphy has been jailed for 15 years for the repeated rape and sexual abuse of his younger brother and two young girls over 30 years ago. The judge, Mr Justice Paul Burns, noted that Murphy represents an ongoing danger to society and ordered that he remain under post-release supervision for 10 years. Murphy was convicted of 15 counts of rape and sexual assault, and his half brother, Michael Murphy, was jailed for four years for raping one of the girls. The victims, who were all young children at the time, described the abuse as traumatic and ongoing. Murphy threatened the older girl that he would abuse her younger sister and kill her father if she did not comply with his demands. The judge emphasized that Murphy's actions were gravely wrong and that the victims were not at fault. Michael Murphy was also sentenced for raping a girl when he was around 16 or 17. The victims spoke of the lasting impact of the abuse, including mental health issues and addiction.
Ruth Lawrence, a 46-year-old defendant, was sentenced to two mandatory terms of life imprisonment for the murders of Anthony Keegan and Eoin O'Connor. The Central Criminal Court jury had previously found that Lawrence and her boyfriend, Neville van der Westhuizen, acted as a unit to lure O'Connor to their home, where he was shot. The panel also accepted that Keegan was shot by van der Westhuizen and that Lawrence was equally liable for the outcome under joint enterprise. Lawrence had pleaded not guilty to both counts of murder, which occurred between April 22 and May 26, 2014. Justice Tony Hunt handed down the concurrent sentences, backdating them to October 4, 2022, when Lawrence entered custody. The court heard four victim impact statements detailing the trauma suffered by the families, who noted Lawrence's lack of remorse and her decade-long flight to South Africa, where she changed her name and appearance. Van der Westhuizen is currently serving a 15-year sentence in South Africa for separate offenses, with an application to return him to Ireland for trial to be considered upon his release. The judge acknowledged the vindication for the families after a lengthy legal process.
The Prison Service has been ordered to pay €60,000 in compensation and find a suitable post for a prison officer, Kim Dempsey, who was left out of work with a chronic back injury following a serious assault on duty in 2017. The assault occurred at Midlands Prison in Co Laois, and Dempsey has required ongoing physiotherapy and pain management treatment. Despite re-training and promotion, managers insisted her only options were to retire or take a pay cut to become an administrative worker. Dempsey's lawyers argued that the Irish Prison Service's chief medical officer deemed her unfit for general duties but capable of an office job without a long commute. Dempsey used her leave to gain a qualification for a work training officer (WTO) post, but was not allowed to take up the Cloverhill position due to the need for regular prison office duties. The State argued that Dempsey was not medically capable of returning to any training officer or prison officer role.
The Special Criminal Court adjourned the trial of four men accused of assaulting Barry Moore until Monday morning. Ms Justice Karen O'Connor warned Moore, who appeared via videolink, that he could be imprisoned for refusing to give evidence. Moore stated he would not testify despite understanding the consequences. The DPP argued that Moore's prior statements should be admitted as evidence, asserting they point exclusively to the guilt of the accused. The State alleges that Jason Hennessy Jr, Brandon Hennessy, Kenneth Fitzsimons, and Dean Fitzsimons assaulted Moore in a shed in Blanchardstown on February 12, 2025, branding him with the word 'RAT'. All four defendants pleaded not guilty to charges including false imprisonment, causing serious harm, and participating in criminal organisation activities. Jason Hennessy Jr is further charged with threatening property damage and producing a branding stamp. Brandon Hennessy is charged with producing a steel breaker bar. Dean Fitzsimons is charged with threatening to kill or cause serious harm and producing a metal branding stamp and steel breaker bar. Kenneth Fitzsimons is charged with producing a steel breaker bar and an axe. Devon Hennessy, who is not part of this trial, previously pleaded guilty to falsely imprisoning and assaulting Moore to enhance criminal gang activities. The court will consider medical evidence, CCTV, and blood stains. Ms Justice O'Connor asked the State to continue reviewing Moore's custody arrangements as the trial was adjourned.
A 50-year-old man who assaulted three gardai and threw a gas canister at a Public Order Unit vehicle during the 2023 Dublin riots has been jailed for two and a half years. Don Sheridan, who was not an activist, became involved in the riots after hearing about the stabbing of a five-year-old girl. He pleaded guilty to riot, assaulting gardai, and criminal damage. The court heard that Sheridan was not politically motivated but was swept up in the frenzy. He was captured on CCTV throwing a gas canister and participating in the destruction of property. The judge noted Sheridan's health issues and drinking problem but sentenced him to two and a half years in prison. The riots caused extensive damage and injuries, with gardai deploying 600 officers to restore order.
A man with a brain injury from a meat cleaver attack, Wayne McCauley, has been jailed for 18 months for assaulting his mother by bending her finger until it broke. McCauley, 31, pleaded guilty to assault causing harm after a row with his mother, who was 63 at the time. The court was told that McCauley grabbed his mother's hand and bent her finger until it cracked, resulting in a fractured metatarsal. He was arrested and made full admissions, stating he was coming down from drugs at the time. McCauley has a long history of previous convictions, predominantly for public order and attempted robberies. His defense highlighted his brain injury and inability to deal with stress, but Judge Martin Nolan noted his long history of offending and sentenced him to 18 months. The judge acknowledged McCauley's remorse but emphasized the cruelty of the act towards his mother. The suspended sentence was given with the hope that McCauley would not hurt his mother again.
A man, David O'Shea, who sent threatening voicemails to his landlord, has been given a four-month suspended sentence on appeal. O'Shea, 46, was convicted of threatening to kill and damage property, and was initially sentenced to four months in jail. His appeal was allowed, and the sentence was suspended for three years. The voicemails, which were four minutes long, included threats to burn the landlord's house down and 'reign down terror' on his family. O'Shea's defense argued that the severity of the sentence was too harsh, noting his apology and the impact of the pandemic on his mental health. The judge acknowledged the severity of the offenses but gave credit for O'Shea's plea and his apparent turnaround in life. The judge hoped the decision would not negatively affect O'Shea's employment. The suspended sentence was given with the hope that O'Shea would not lose his job as a result of the conviction.
A witness testified at a murder trial about his attempts to perform CPR on the lifeless body of a 20-year-old man who was seen running into a lamppost before becoming unresponsive. David Conlon recounted how he heard a loud roar and saw the young man running before hearing a loud smack as he hit the lamppost and fell back. Conlon and his wife went out to assist the injured man, who was found lying flat on his back with his eyes wide open. Conlon's wife called 999, and the dispatcher instructed him on how to perform CPR until emergency services arrived. Patrick Murphy, 37, admitted to stabbing Jordan Ronan but pleaded not guilty to murder. The trial heard that Murphy claimed he stabbed Ronan to protect his family or property. The jury was shown evidence, including the discovery of a single stab wound to the chest, and items found on Ronan, such as Valium tablets and cannabis. The trial continues as the court examines the intent behind Murphy's actions and the circumstances surrounding the stabbing.
A gunman who claims he was taking 'industrial quantities' of cocaine when he shot his wife's brother-in-law with a submachine gun can be found guilty of manslaughter if a jury determines he had a mental disorder or was so intoxicated that he did not form an intention to kill. Christopher Devine, 44, pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter. The court heard that the accused was suffering from substance-induced psychotic disorder, but the prosecution argued he was not mentally ill but highly intoxicated. The judge explained that the jury could find him guilty of manslaughter by reason of diminished responsibility or due to intoxication. The trial concluded with the jury beginning their deliberations, and the case will return to court on Monday.
The Special Criminal Court heard the opening of a trial for four men accused of assaulting Barry Moore in February 2025. The State alleges that Jason Hennessy Jr, Brandon Hennessy, Kenneth Fitzsimons, and Dean Fitzsimons assaulted Mr Moore in a shed in Blanchardstown, allegedly branding him with a heated 'RAT' stamp and using a breaker bar and axe. All four accused pleaded not guilty to charges including false imprisonment, causing serious harm, and participating in criminal organisation activity. Jason Hennessy Jr is further charged with threatening property damage and producing a branding stamp; Brandon Hennessy is charged with producing a steel breaker bar; Dean Fitzsimons is charged with threatening to kill or cause serious harm and producing a branding stamp and breaker bar; and Kenneth Fitzsimons is charged with producing a breaker bar and axe. Devon Hennessy, who is not part of this trial, previously pleaded guilty to falsely imprisoning and assaulting Mr Moore to enhance criminal gang activities. Mr Moore, who was brought to court by prison officers, refused to testify, stating he would not give evidence. The prosecution applied to admit his statements to gardai into evidence, with arguments scheduled for Saturday. The matter was adjourned.
An arsonist who had his manslaughter conviction quashed by the Court of Appeal has been re-sentenced to six years in prison. Dean Boland (37) was originally jailed for eight years in March 2023 after being convicted of the unlawful killing of Ohari Viera in August 2018. Boland had broken into a Dublin residential property, stole a rucksack, and set fire to the building. Mr Viera, who was living upstairs with two others, managed to evacuate safely, but he later returned to the property for an unknown reason and did not return. The fire engulfed the building, and Mr Viera died from cardiac arrest due to smoke inhalation. The Court of Appeal quashed Boland's manslaughter conviction, stating that Mr Viera's return to the fire broke the chain of causation. The case was returned for sentencing on the counts of arson and burglary. Judge Elma Sheahan imposed a six-year sentence on Boland for arson, backdating it to December 2022. She noted Boland's 32 previous convictions and the serious nature of the offence.
A charge of trespassing against Mohammed Bishet (30), of no fixed abode, has been dismissed after a judge found the State had failed to establish the required evidence. Bishet had pleaded not guilty at Dún Laoghaire District Court to entering a residence at Lansdowne Park, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4, as a trespasser on 2 March last year. The charge was under section 11 of the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act 1994, which requires proof that the accused entered without the owner's consent and with intent to commit an offence or unlawfully interfere with property. Gardaí responded to a call at the property and found the front-door lock broken and the door open. A light was on upstairs, and two males were spotted. Bishet was cautioned and taken to Irishtown Garda Station, where he was later charged. Defence counsel, Silvia Maria Crowley BL, argued that the prosecution had failed to establish lack of consent from the owner or occupier, a core requirement under the law. She noted there was no evidence that Bishet had broken the lock or caused damage.
A 48-year-old man from Dublin has been sentenced to one year in prison at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court after pleading guilty to possessing child sexual abuse material. Alan Keating, formerly of County Galway, was arrested following a 2017 investigation initiated by Swiss authorities and Interpol. Gardaí executed a search warrant at his home while he was abroad, seizing a laptop containing 330 images and 719 videos depicting child sexual abuse. Among the most serious material were extreme images showing children bound and confined. A further 23,604 uncategorised files were also discovered. During the search, gardaí located a document outlining inappropriate conduct with children. The court heard Keating had shared files on an online platform on ten occasions. Judge Martin Nolan acknowledged mitigating factors including Keating's early guilty plea, cooperation, clean record, and engagement with therapy following seizure of the device. However, the judge noted the distribution element and the disturbing nature of documentation found. Keating will be placed on the Sex Offender Register.
A judge has given a suspended sentence to a young man who was found guilty of being a money mule in a scam that involved over €20,000 in stolen funds. Judge Martin Nolan told the defendant, Ryan Odusanya (20), that 'stupidity can only get you so far' and warned him that this was his future unless he 'wises up'. Odusanya pleaded guilty to holding €20,000 in criminal proceeds in his bank account on September 5, 2023. He was not involved in setting up or operating the scam, which affected an elderly couple from Kerry and a business owner from Galway. Judge Nolan expressed frustration with young people who commit money laundering offences, saying he was 'getting fed up' with them claiming they were 'young and stupid'. He sentenced Odusanya to 20 months in prison, which was suspended in full. The court heard that Odusanya had responded to an advert on Snapchat offering a small cash reward for the use of a bank account.
The Special Criminal Court remanded Barry Moore, the alleged victim in the trial of four men, in custody to ensure the proceedings commence. Detective Inspector Liam Donoghue told the court that "criminal elements" were attempting to interfere with justice by issuing threats, causing Mr Moore to be "gripped by fear." Although the court expressed sympathy for Mr Moore's position, Ms Justice Karen O'Connor directed his remand to protect the integrity of the trial, which was scheduled to begin the following day. The four accused—Jason Hennessy Jr, Brandon Hennessy, Kenneth Fitzsimons, and Dean Fitzsimons—face charges of false imprisonment, intentionally or recklessly causing serious harm, and participating in the activity of a criminal organisation. The alleged offences occurred on February 12, 2025, at a house in Blanchardstown, Dublin 15. Jason Hennessy Jr is further charged with threatening to damage property and producing a branding stamp to intimidate another person. Brandon Hennessy is charged with producing a steel breaker bar in a manner likely to intimidate. Dean Fitzsimons faces charges of making a threat to kill or cause serious harm, and producing a metal branding stamp and a steel breaker bar. Kenneth Fitzsimons is charged with producing a steel breaker bar and an axe. The trial had been repeatedly delayed due to Mr Moore's failure to attend court, leading to the issuance of a bench warrant. The matter was adjourned to allow the trial to proceed.
A man drove through crash barriers seconds before a train was due to cross the junction during a high-speed garda pursuit, a court has heard. Jeffrey Carter (33) drove a car with four passengers at speed through red lights, in the wrong direction in bus lanes and against other car drivers. After failing to stop for an unmarked garda patrol car, Carter rammed the car and then took off at high speed. During the chase around the Sutton and Darndale area of the capital, Carter swerved the car to ram another garda patrol car. During the "escapade" on May 18, 2024, Carter rammed this car three times, a garda witness told the court. Carter drove at speed through Sutton Cross where two foot patrol gardai were carrying out a checkpoint. One of these had to take evasive action to avoid being hit. Carter, who was banned from driving at the time, drove the Renault Laguna car at speed into the crash barriers approaching Sutton DART station. Jeffrey Carter pleaded guilty.
A man who used an e-bike to assault a garda during a covid lockdown has been sentenced to 20 months in prison. In May 2021, Corey Plunkett (32) was outside with other men when gardai approached to disperse them under lockdown restrictions. Plunkett, on an e-bike, began circling the gardai. When a garda attempted to grab him, Plunkett swung the e-bike, striking the garda in the eye and causing a cut that required stitches. The garda made a full recovery. Plunkett was arrested and brought to Monkstown Garda Station, where he was uncooperative and assaulted the garda member-in-charge. He pleaded guilty to the assault and had a previous conviction for a 2019 street assault. His defence stated he had struggled with addictions but has since turned his life around, offering €2,000 as a token of remorse. The judge noted his history of violent behaviour and anger management issues, ordering the €2,000 to be given to the injured garda or a local charity. The 20-month sentence was imposed, with the payment intended as punishment for the defendant.
A prosecution barrister has told a Central Criminal Court jury that Christopher Devine, who is on trial for the murder of Michael Tormey, acted with a functioning mind and full intent when he fired a machine gun at his friend. Garret Baker SC argued that the accused deliberately drove to the victim's house twice and fired two bursts of five bullets, showing clear intent to kill. He dismissed the defense's claim that Devine was suffering from a mental disorder, stating that forensic psychiatrist Dr James Walsh found the accused was suffering from cocaine intoxication, not a mental illness. Baker emphasized that even if intoxicated, the accused's brain was functioning and he had a clear intention to kill. He also criticized the defense psychiatrist's findings as too vague and unreliable. The accused has pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter. The trial continues with the jury considering whether the accused's intoxication diminished his responsibility for the act.
Declan McCabe, an Aer Lingus pilot, is contesting statutory complaints brought by the airline under the Protected Disclosures Act 2014, the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005, and the Payment of Wages Act 1997 at the Workplace Relations Commission. The tribunal heard that Mr McCabe was demoted from command responsibility following a disciplinary finding that he failed to file a timely air safety report regarding an incident on 8 June 2023. On that date, the aircraft he was flying in command from Munich initially failed to pick up a radio navigation beacon at Dublin Airport, though it landed safely after he adjusted its heading. Mr McCabe described the incident as a "non-event" and alleged his demotion was penalisation linked to a 2011 dispute where he reported fatigue. He stated the process was "humiliating" and claimed he filed the report within half an hour of being directed to do so, noting he had delayed due to fear of retribution. Aer Lingus's barrister argued Mr McCabe did not accept his errors. Adjudication officer John Harraghy adjourned proceedings, with hearings set to continue next week, starting with cross-examination of the complainant.
Olayiwola Saheed Akande, a 40-year-old Nigerian national, has lost a High Court judicial review challenging the Minister for Justice's refusal to grant him citizenship. The refusal was based on his failure to satisfy the 'good character' test under the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act, primarily due to a serious drug conviction. Akande, who arrived in Ireland as a minor in 2000, was charged in 2010 with possession of drugs for sale or supply. He pleaded guilty in 2011 before Dublin Circuit Criminal Court and was sentenced to seven years' imprisonment, with the final three years suspended. He was released after serving two years and 27 days, completing the Community Return Scheme in June 2014. Akande argued that the Minister attached undue weight to his single conviction, which he attributed to financial pressures following his father's death, and that his subsequent exemplary conduct and integration into Irish society should have outweighed the offence. However, Mr Justice Cian Ferriter upheld the refusal, ruling that the Minister properly considered all relevant factors. The judge noted that the decision was not based on a risk of re-offending but on the seriousness of the conviction outweighing the passage of time. The court declined to substitute its own judgment on the merits, affirming that it is for the Minister to determine whether good character is established.
A tribunal has upheld the dismissal of Bernard McMahon, a scrapyard manager, who was accused of using the c-word in a workplace incident involving a junior female employee. McMahon denied calling the employee the c-word, claiming he only spelled it out as a form of banter. The incident, which occurred in December 2023, was reported by the employee, who gave evidence under the pseudonym 'Ms A'. She stated that McMahon asked her if she knew the term used to describe her when she first joined the company and then spelled it out, prompting laughter from those present. McMahon argued that the employee initiated the banter and that there was no indication of distress. However, the tribunal found that McMahon failed to adequately address his employer's concerns during the disciplinary process. The adjudicator noted that McMahon's focus on procedural arguments and quibbling over the exact phrasing of the alleged remark was detrimental to his case.
A Dublin father, Patrick Murphy, is on trial for stabbing 20-year-old Jordan Ronan to death outside his home, claiming he did so to protect his property or family. The prosecution, led by Patricia McLaughlin SC, stated that Ronan suffered a single fatal stab wound to the chest in the early hours of July 26, 2024. Ronan had been with friends earlier in the night, and witnesses said he was intoxicated. As he walked home, he fell behind his friend and was seen running past a house before collapsing. A homeowner found him lying on the ground and called for help. Paramedics discovered a severe chest wound, and Ronan was pronounced dead at the hospital. Murphy admitted to stabbing Ronan but claims self-defense. His defense, led by Ronan Kennedy SC, acknowledged the stabbing but argued it was not premeditated. The trial continues before Mr Justice Kerida Naidoo and a jury. Patrick Murphy pleaded not guilty. Jordan Ronan pleaded not guilty.
Slawomir Gierlowski, a convicted serial sex offender, appeared before the Court of Appeal to challenge his conviction for the May 30, 2011, attack on a young mother at Ballymount Park. Gierlowski, who maintains his innocence, was found guilty by a jury of assault causing harm, false imprisonment, and production of an article. His legal team argued that the case relied on fragile circumstantial evidence and weak forensic material, specifically DNA found on a cigarette packet and a flex. Counsel for the State countered that the evidence must be viewed cumulatively, noting that the flex bore Gierlowski's partial fingerprint and the victim's DNA, while a Marlboro box with his DNA was found near the scene despite his denial of smoking that brand. The Court of Appeal reserved its judgment on this appeal. Gierlowski's current status stems from a July 2021 sentencing where he received a further ten years consecutive to his 2018 sentence of 22.5 years (with four years suspended) for prior attacks, totaling 28.5 years. He was subsequently sentenced to an additional six years for the Ballymount Park offence. The matter remains under appeal, with the court yet to deliver its final decision on the validity of the conviction.
Gerard Nevin, who was convicted of sexually abusing his stepdaughters, had his original four-year prison sentence increased to ten years by the Court of Appeal following new sentencing guidelines. The court found that the seriousness of the abuse, which occurred over a period of eight years, warranted a longer sentence. The victims, who were aged between seven and 16 when the abuse occurred, waived their right to anonymity. The judge noted that the abuse was systematic and calculated, causing significant harm to the victims. The new guidelines placed Nevin's case in the upper range of offending, with a headline sentence of nine to 14 years. The court imposed a 12-year sentence, with two years suspended, and required Nevin to engage in offense and victim-focused work. The case was highlighted as one of the most serious sexual abuse cases due to the prolonged nature of the offending and the vulnerability of the victims. Gerard Nevin pleaded guilty.