A man in his 30s accused of breaching a barring order by making mocking social media posts and sending text messages to his former partner was granted bail by Judge John Brennan at Tallaght District Court, despite Garda objections. The alleged breaches included a Facebook post directed at the complainant and texts sent after his release from custody. The complainant, who obtained a barring order in March following an alleged assault, described the accused as unpredictable when drinking and said he had sent apologies, declarations of love, and mocking posts. Defence solicitor Eddie O'Connor noted the complainant had once invited the accused to her home during a relapse in June, but denied a renewed relationship. The accused denied intent to intimidate, accepted responsibility for the Facebook post, and agreed to stay away from the complainant and comply with court conditions.
Heherson Marquez, 53, of Vernon Avenue, Clontarf, was found guilty of careless driving after a collision at Larkfield Park, Kimmage, on 19 January 2023. While parked on the road waiting to pick up his 14‑year‑old child, he attempted a U‑turn and struck a motorcyclist who was thrown from his vehicle. The victim is believed to have suffered a broken leg, though this could not be confirmed in court. Judge Patricia McNamara fined Marquez €450, imposed a three‑month driving ban effective immediately, and gave him five months to pay the fine.
Raymond McCabe, 48, of White Pines Grove, Rathfarnham, pleaded guilty at Tallaght District Court to driving without insurance on the Tallaght bypass (N81) on 1 October 2024. He was stopped by Gardaí in a Volkswagen Golf, could not produce a licence or insurance, and the car was seized under the Road Traffic Act. McCabe failed to provide the documents at Tallaght Garda Station within ten days. The court noted he has 14 prior convictions, including 12 traffic offences and four for driving without insurance, the most recent in March 2024. Defence solicitor Jeremiah Breen explained McCabe's unemployment, grown‑up children, and cocaine addiction, stating he has "no excuse" but is now in treatment. Judge John Brennan, recognising McCabe's issues, imposed a four‑month prison sentence suspended for two years, a three‑year driving disqualification effective in 14 days, a €200 fine, and a €400 bond.
Rebecca Rolleston, 39, of Tallaght, was banned from driving for four years after refusing to give a blood or urine sample when arrested on 4 October 2024 for suspected drink‑driving. She pleaded guilty to the refusal, was fined €450 with a five‑month payment period, and was also found guilty of stealing four cans of Captain Morgan rum from a Maxol station in Bray on 28 April 2024. The court noted her two prior convictions and applied the Probation Act to the theft, requiring a €100 bond for good behaviour.
Emmanuel Ilunga, 23, of Navan, was convicted at Dún Laoghaire District Court for carrying a flick knife in his car on 14 April 2024. Ilunga admitted possession but claimed the knife was for his warehouse job, where he cut boxes and plastic. Garda David Buckley stopped him at 12:30 am in a grey Mercedes at M50 Junction 13. Ilunga appeared nervous, avoided eye contact and struggled to answer questions. A search under the Misuse of Drugs Act found the knife in the driver's side door and a wheel brace; no drugs were discovered. The judge, Anne Watkin, rejected Ilunga's work‑use defence, warned that carrying knives is "extremely serious", and imposed a €300 fine with a three‑month payment period, plus a €200 own‑bond recognisance. The case was prosecuted by Dr Sean Smyth for the DPP. Emmanuel Ilunga pleaded not guilty.
A 23‑year‑old e‑scooter rider, Jason Thornton, was convicted of a public order offence after shouting abuse at Garda Jack Hamilton during a criminal damage investigation on 15 June 2024 in south Dublin. Thornton, who was on an e‑scooter on a nearby walkway, raised his middle finger and shouted "F*** you, you red prick" while Hamilton was speaking to the injured party. Hamilton tried to issue a warning but Thornton accelerated away, and a crowd gathered. The court found that the incident, occurring while Gardaí were already dealing with a criminal damage case, met the threshold for a public order offence. Thornton pleaded not guilty, but Judge Anne Watkin convicted him. He has 38 prior convictions, including assault, criminal damage, misuse of drugs, burglary, robbery, theft and threats to kill, and his most recent conviction was under the Misuse of Drugs Act on 16 May 2025.
In a Dún Laoghaire District Court hearing, Chang Zhang, 45, was fined €100 for selling counterfeit Taylor Swift merchandise outside a sold‑out Dublin concert. Garda George McElroy observed Zhang offering hats, T‑shirts, wristbands and friendship bracelets from his car on Lansdowne Road on 28 June 2024. The goods were seized and Zhang was found to lack a required licence under the Casual Trading Act. He had no prior convictions and did not attend the hearing. Judge Anne Watkin set a three‑month payment period and recognisance of €100 for any appeal.
In a decision by the Workplace Relations Commission, landlord Sherman Chan was ordered to pay tenant Olga Burla €15,000, the maximum under the Equal Status Act 2000, after Chan refused to accept State housing assistance payments (HAP) and later evicted Burla, who had become a single parent in January 2024. Burla had been renting from Chan for about two years and faced financial hardship while paying €1,650 a month. She repeatedly asked Chan to apply for HAP, but he declined, claiming he did not want to accept it and feared the local authority would take over the property, a belief he later learned was incorrect. Chan's solicitor argued he was confused about HAP, but the adjudication officer noted that ignorance of the law is no excuse. The award considered Burla's financial loss of €22,109 and the stress caused by the discrimination.
Jason O'Brien, 39, of Mac Uilliam Green, Tallaght, was sentenced at Tallaght District Court after pleading guilty to 15 charges. The offences included stealing €72 worth of cologne from Lloyds Pharmacy in May 2023 and multiple road traffic violations, such as driving without insurance, a licence, or valid tax and NCT certificates, arising from incidents in 2019 and 2021. Despite having 123 previous convictions, O'Brien avoided prison. His defence solicitor, Padraig O'Donovan, argued that incarceration had not been effective and requested a community-based disposal, noting O'Brien had a job lined up. Judge John O'Leary imposed 120 hours of community service in lieu of a five-month prison term. The judge described this as a final chance, stating he believed O'Brien had changed his ways. In a notable exchange, the judge advised O'Brien to thank his solicitor for the outcome, to which O'Brien replied he would buy his lawyer a bottle of wine. The matter was finalised with this sentence.
Gerard Wilson, 46, serving a two‑year sentence in Mountjoy Prison for burglary, knife possession and criminal damage, was further sentenced by Tallaght District Court after a relapse. On 25 March 2024, Gardaí found him intoxicated in another person's car in the car park of The Square Shopping Centre, Tallaght, where he admitted to being under the influence, threatening and abusive behaviour. Five days later, on 30 March 2024, he stole items from Dealz in Nutgrove Shopping Centre, Dublin 14; the goods were recovered only after his apprehension. Wilson, who holds a diploma in addictions studies from UCD, pleaded guilty to public order, road traffic and theft offences. Judge John O'Leary imposed a three‑month sentence for the traffic offence and a two‑month sentence for the public order matter, to run concurrently and take effect immediately. He also imposed a separate two‑month sentence for the theft at Dealz, to run consecutively to Wilson's current prison term.
In a Tallaght District Court hearing on 19 September 2025, a man in his 40s was found to have punched his wife and assaulted Garda James Hughes on 14 January 2024 at his home. After a bereavement and heavy drinking, the defendant returned intoxicated, became highly argumentative, and threw an extension cable at his partner, striking her on the eyebrow before punching her three or four times. He then threatened to "bite off his nose" and attacked Garda Hughes, attempting to drag him to the ground and causing a serious head injury. The victim suffered swelling to her right eyebrow and redness to her bottom lip; Hughes sustained a large laceration to the back of his head, blurred vision for two weeks and headaches for two months. The defendant admitted a Section 3 assault under the Non‑Fatal Offences Against the Person Act, 1997, and two Section 19 public order offences for assaulting and obstructing gardaí.
In a Tallaght District Court hearing on 16 September 2025, a man in his 20s was denied bail after a judge found that a pregnant woman, who is unnamed for legal reasons, was left in fear for herself and her unborn child. The accused, who pleaded not guilty to criminal damage and theft, had allegedly threatened to drag the woman to an abortion clinic and had engaged in violent conduct at her home, including jumping on her car, smashing a wardrobe and chandeliers, and refusing to return her house keys. Garda Brendan Byrne cited the O'Callaghan principles, arguing the man might not appear in court and could interfere with the complainant. The court noted that a key to the woman's home was found in the accused's pocket. The accused, represented by Padraig O'Donovan, claimed any damage was accidental and offered compensation, stating he would stay away if bail were granted.
In a WRC hearing, Elly Kiprono Rop, a Kenyan security guard working for BGS Security Ltd (BGSS) in Dublin, was awarded €45,240 in compensation, two years' wages, plus €1,088 for unpaid wages and €1,200 for failure to provide a contract. Rop had worked unpaid shifts from May to June 2024, with extra hours assigned but not paid, leaving a shortfall of €1,088.49. He described feeling "let down and used" by BGSS. The adjudicator, Patricia Owens, found BGSS had shown "blatant disregard" for workers' rights and the Employment Regulation Order, disadvantaging law‑abiding competitors. The decision upheld claims under the Payment of Wages Act 1991, the Terms of Employment (Information) Act 1994 and the Industrial Relations Act 1949, and highlighted the risk of industrial relations instability. The company now owes over €193,000 to former staff for unpaid wages and employment rights breaches.
Billionaire John Magnier lost a High Court case over a failed bid to buy the Barne Estate in Tipperary. He had claimed a €15‑million handshake deal with Richard Thomson‑Moore, an heir to the 751‑acre estate, but the court found no binding agreement existed. The defendants argued that no consent from the estate trustees had been obtained and that the parties had not reached consensus on essential terms. The court noted that the parties understood that a formal written contract was required and that no one present had authority to bind the estate. The judge refused all reliefs sought by Magnier, concluding that the case failed on all grounds. Legal costs, expected to run in the millions, will be decided later. The case lasted 19 days in the Commercial Court.
Christopher Farrell, 69, of Tallaght, was fined €750 for dangerous driving after a police chase. He pleaded not guilty to two counts of dangerous driving. The court dismissed the charge relating to an incident on Fortunestown Way but convicted him of a second count involving a pursuit outside his home. Garda David Sheehan reported that Farrell drove behind an unmarked patrol car, flashed his headlights, shouted abuse, and accelerated away, causing dust to rise from the median. He later turned into the Suncroft estate, sounded his horn, and drove into his driveway. Garda Sheehan described Farrell as "extremely aggressive," throwing his keys and handing his phone to a woman. The court noted Farrell's claim of panic was not credible once the patrol car's blue lights were activated. He was fined €750 with a five‑month payment period. The case was heard at Tallaght District Court by Judge Patricia McNamara.
Sara Lucanich has failed in her appeal against her District Court convictions for drink driving and refusing to provide a breath sample. The appellant, aged 30, was originally convicted of driving while intoxicated on Ballymun Road in April 2024 and fined €350, with a three-year driving disqualification. She was also convicted of refusing to provide a sample and fined €200. During the appeal, Garda Doireann Byrne testified that Lucanich was observed swerving and failing to respond to police signals, and that she exhibited signs of intoxication. Garda Kevin Nolan stated that Lucanich successfully provided a breath sample, which returned a result of 94mg per 100ml, but subsequently refused to sign the required statements despite explanations. Lucanich argued she did not understand the legal requirements and was rushed by gardai. Judge Jonathan Dunphy rejected these claims, finding Garda Nolan's evidence meticulous and accepting that Lucanich completed the breath test without difficulty. The judge affirmed the District Court's convictions and sentences. However, he agreed to defer the driving disqualification for a period of six months from the date of the appeal hearing.
In a decision published by the Workplace Relations Commission, a youth group committee was found to have discriminated against a trans volunteer, Mr E, by voting to exclude him from working with younger children because of his gender identity. The WRC directed the organisation to pay Mr E €5,000 in compensation for a breach of the Equal Status Act 2000. Mr E had been a leader for about 18 months before discovering in spring 2024 that his trans identity had caused controversy when he applied to volunteer in late 2022. A witness, Ms G, testified that another leader, Mr D, inadvertently disclosed Mr E's identity during the application review, and that two other leaders objected to his assignment to younger groups, citing potential parental concerns. The chairperson called a vote that resulted in Mr E's exclusion from younger groups. Ms G later quit the organisation after the meeting.
In Tallaght District Court, 58‑year‑old Filippo Sangermano, a resident of Watergate House Hostel, was granted bail after being charged with a section 6 public order offence for alleged verbal abuse and aggression in the accident and emergency (A&E) department of Tallaght University Hospital. The court heard that Gardaí had been called to the hospital and that Sangermano was reportedly abusive towards staff and patients. He denied knowing Irish legal procedures, noting that in the UK he could speak to a solicitor and had not yet seen a social worker. Defence counsel Ciara Ní Ghabhann BL objected to a blanket restriction on his access to A&E, arguing he should not be prevented from seeking emergency care. Judge Patricia McNamara agreed, allowing bail on the condition that Sangermano may only attend the A&E if referred by a doctor. The bail was secured on a €200 bond, and the case was adjourned for disclosure at a later date.
David Fagan, 40, with 131 prior convictions, was convicted in the District Court for stealing €1,300 from the same shop on three occasions. He pleaded guilty to three counts of theft under the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act, 2001, and received two concurrent six‑month sentences plus a concurrent ten‑month term. On appeal, Judge Jonathan Dunphy upheld the two six‑month sentences but suspended the ten‑month term for the €700 theft on 7 May 2024 for a full two years. The suspension is conditional on Fagan being supervised by the probation services upon release, attending all meetings and referrals, and keeping away from the service station in Portmarnock. The court noted that the other offences were non‑violent and that Fagan had shown remorse and had no disciplinary record while in custody. The appeal was based on the claim that the original sentences were manifestly excessive.
Daryl Boyd, 28, pleaded guilty in the District Court to multiple offences under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1977 between 2020 and 2022. He received three consecutive six‑month prison sentences for supplying controlled drugs into prisons, with one of those sentences suspended. Additional charges included possession of controlled drugs and failure to appear in court. Boyd appealed the severity of his sentence. Sergeant Shay Leonard recounted that on 16 May 2020, 28 November 2020 and 26 September 2022, Boyd threw copper pipes and other items containing controlled drugs over the walls of Wheatfield Prison, the last incident involving 700 euros worth of cannabis. Boyd has 40 prior convictions, including theft and public order offences. Defence counsel noted his drug debt and severe pressure after a threat to a family member. Judge Jonathan Dunphy suspended Boyd's entire sentence for two years, requiring him to enter probation supervision, complete residential treatment and engage in education and training as directed.
In a Tallaght District Court hearing on 9 September 2025, a woman named Cathrina Boyle, aged 65, was accused of drink‑driving on the N81 on 22 December 2023. Garda Paul Byrne stopped her vehicle after noticing erratic driving, observed blood‑shot eyes, slurred speech, and a strong smell of alcohol, and arrested her. Boyle voluntarily gave a blood sample, which was sealed, labelled, and sent to the Medical Bureau of Road Safety. The sample reportedly returned a concentration of 227 mg of alcohol per 100 ml, exceeding the legal limit. Defence counsel Oisín Clarke argued that the chain of custody for the specimen was not proven, citing a recent High Court decision in Ratinskis v DPP that quashed a conviction on similar grounds. Judge Patricia McNamara adjourned the case to 23 October, noting the High Court ruling had not yet formally taken effect. The unnamed accused pleaded not guilty.
In a St Patrick's Day assault case, Mark Kelly (39) of Palmerstown, Dublin, had his two five‑month jail sentences for assault on Garda Linda Crennan and Garda Mark O'Neill replaced on appeal with community service and a peace bond. The District Court Appeals Court found that Kelly, under the influence, had attempted to engage in "banter" with the gardai, which was not well received, leading to a struggle in which he punched and slapped the officers. Garda Crennan suffered a cracked cheekbone and shoulder surgery, and was out of work for 18 months. Kelly pleaded not guilty to two assault counts and a threatening behaviour count; he was convicted and originally sentenced to five months for each assault and a two‑month sentence for threatening behaviour, suspended for two years.
Sean Lennon, 30, of Fairview, Dublin 3, was sentenced to 17 months in jail for carrying a large fishing knife at Tallaght Hospital and threatening gift shop staff with a knuckle duster. On appeal, Judge Jonathan Dunphy suspended the entire sentence for two years, ordering Lennon to keep the peace and be supervised by probation services. Lennon had pleaded guilty in the District Court to multiple offences, including possession of knives contrary to the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act, 1990, and production of an article capable of inflicting serious injury. Garda Brian Kane reported Lennon's discovery of the knife at the hospital on 1 November 2022, leading to a six‑month jail term. Sergeant Stephen Walsh described a 30 November 2023 incident in a gift shop where Lennon threatened staff with a knuckle duster, resulting in a nine‑month sentence.
In February 2024, Jason Cerfas, aged 23, was removed from Swords Courthouse after verbally abusing another man, leading to charges of threatening, abusive or insulting behaviour and failing to comply with a garda's direction under the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act 1994. He was convicted on both counts and sentenced to two months and five months in custody, to be served concurrently. Cerfas appealed, arguing the sentence was too severe. The District Court Appeals Court, hearing the appeal, noted that Cerfas had been directed to leave the courthouse multiple times and that his conduct had "no difficulty tearing down the court system." Judge Jonathan Dunphy, after considering the appeal, suspended the five‑month custodial sentence for two years, provided Cerfas keeps the peace and avoids further garda attention. The appeal did not alter the conviction or the concurrent nature of the sentences. The case remains at the appeal stage, with the suspended sentence in effect. Jason Cerfas pleaded not guilty.
In a District Court case, 38‑year‑old Natasha Tynan was convicted for possessing nail scissors, a prohibited item under Section 9(1)(7) of the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act, 1990, and sentenced to three months in custody. The conviction followed a stop and search by Garda David Byrne on 8 October 2024, when he found the scissors in her handbag. Tynan, who has 37 prior convictions, pleaded guilty and later appealed the custodial sentence. On appeal, Judge Jonathan Dunphy replaced the three‑month custodial term with a 12‑month peace bond, citing Tynan's lack of intent to harm, her drug‑related history, and her active participation in counselling and a horticulture employment scheme. The peace bond requires her to keep the peace and continue her treatment and counselling efforts for the year.
Srdan Keteles, 34, of Waterford, appealed a conviction for careless driving after a "horrific" crash on Oscar Traynor Road, Coolock, Dublin, on 25 September 2019. He claimed he had no memory of the incident, only that he left home on his motorbike and later woke in hospital with serious spinal, neck and pelvic injuries. The District Court found him guilty of driving without due care, including overtaking in a bus lane, and fined him €200 with a six‑month payment period. Keteles' appeal was dismissed by the District Court Appeals Court, which upheld the conviction. The court noted that a forensic accident analysis was not conducted at the scene, and that a witness testified the motorbike overtook him at speed in the bus lane. The judge affirmed the original order, stating the evidence supported a finding of careless driving. The appeal was rejected. Srdan Keteles pleaded not guilty.
Damien Kiely, a bus driver for Airport Hopper Holdings Ltd, received €1,900 in compensation for unpaid wages after the company ceased trading. Kiely earned €190 a day and had been unaware of the closure until a Liveline researcher called him on 10 February 2025. He had received no notice, no payment in lieu of notice, and no pay for six days of 2024 annual leave plus three days accrued in 2025. An email from the employer, sent three days later, cited difficulties meeting obligations to Revenue and lacked the director's signature. The Workplace Relations Commission found the complaint well‑founded and ordered the employer to pay the compensation, twice the amount that should have been paid. The decision was issued by adjudicator Úna Glazier‑Farmer.
Celine Carroll, 46, of Cherry Orchard Avenue, Ballyfermot, was captured on live footage setting fire to a power box on a pole housing a Garda camera and then attempting to ignite a second box. The incident, which caused €25,000 worth of damage, occurred at Cherry Orchard Parade on 18 January 2018. Carroll, who has 39 previous convictions, pleaded guilty to arson. During the arrest she resisted, kicking, spitting and shouting obscenities, and fled the scene before being apprehended after a short foot pursuit. In the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, Judge Elva Duffy sentenced her to two and a half years, suspending the final 12 months on strict conditions. The judge noted Carroll's apology, personal circumstances and efforts to address her addiction, and highlighted her deliberate decision to set the fires. The case was delayed after Carroll went to ground and a bench warrant was issued.
In a Dublin court, a 17‑year‑old man was sentenced to five and a half years' imprisonment for raping a 16‑year‑old girl and for engaging in a sexual act with a 12‑year‑old. The judge, Mr Justice Kerida Naidoo, noted the defendant's youth and immaturity, and imposed consecutive sentences for the two victims. The total sentence was six and a half years, with the final year suspended for two years on strict conditions aimed at rehabilitation and victim awareness. The court heard that the defendant had communicated with the 12‑year‑old via Snapchat, sent her pictures, and met her at an abandoned house where the sexual act occurred. The 16‑year‑old was raped after the defendant entered her home, and the defendant's brother allegedly threw a condom during the incident. The judge highlighted the defendant's lack of awareness of consent and the significant age disparity with the 12‑year‑old. The unnamed 12-year-old pleaded guilty and was convicted.
The 46‑year‑old man pleaded guilty to producing child pornography after taking 11 photographs of his 16‑year‑old step‑daughter in the shower on 12 April 2018 at a Dublin hostel. Gardaí were called to the hostel on 9 April 2018 after staff reported inappropriate contact. The man left the hostel, moved to another, then returned to the original where staff again contacted police. Gardaí seized his phone and found the images. The judge, citing a breach of trust and self‑serving gratification, set a headline sentence of three years but, after considering his guilty plea, rehabilitation efforts and the fact the images were not distributed, sentenced him to one year in prison, back‑dated to February, for time already spent in custody. The teenage girl, originally from another country, was interviewed and confirmed the photographs were taken while she showered.
The Central Criminal Court will decide in September whether the State should pay the legal costs of Diarmuid Phelan, a law lecturer and farmer who was acquitted of murdering a trespasser on his farm. Phelan, who has assets in the millions, did not apply for legal aid and instructed four counsel and expert witnesses during his 10‑week trial that ended in January. He maintained that he fired three warning shots in self‑defence and that the fatal shot was accidental. The jury agreed with his defence, finding he was entitled to defend himself when threatened on his land. Sean Guerin SC, one of Phelan's senior counsel, argued that the verdict should entitle Phelan to his costs and that the State's suggestion that even those of means should apply for legal aid misrepresents the scheme. John Byrne SC for the DPP countered that an acquittal does not automatically create a presumption in favour of costs. Diarmuid Phelan pleaded not guilty.
The Court of Appeal has dismissed an appeal by Conor McGregor against a jury finding that he was civilly liable for the rape of Nikita Hand in 2018. The original High Court jury awarded Ms Hand €248,000 in damages and ordered McGregor to pay both parties' legal costs, totaling €1.3 million. Co-appellant James Lawrence, who was found not civilly liable for rape, received no costs order because the jury did not accept his evidence and McGregor paid his legal fees. Both men denied the allegations. The appeal court rejected all grounds raised by McGregor, including arguments regarding the admission of his "no comment" responses to gardaí and the wording of the issue paper. Justice Brian O'Moore stated it was "simply unreal" that jurors could have been confused by the term "assault" when the trial judge clarified it referred to rape. Claims of "new evidence" regarding bruising on Ms Hand, based on affidavits from Samantha O'Reilly and Steven Cummins, were withdrawn on the first day of the appeal. The court awarded costs to Ms Hand for both appeals and made no costs order for Lawrence. Ms Hand stated the process re-traumatised her and urged survivors to seek justice.
American Kevin Yungman, 32, was sentenced at the Central Criminal Court for raping a 19-year-old woman in June 2018 in an Airbnb on Usher's Quay, Dublin city centre. Yungman pleaded guilty to the single charge of rape, which involved causing the victim to pass out by squeezing her neck. Mr Justice Hunt imposed a six-year prison sentence, with the final 12 months suspended on strict conditions. The sentence was backdated to August 2024, when Yungman entered custody in the United States following his arrest and extradition to Ireland. The judge noted that the headline sentence was eight years, reduced due to mitigation including the guilty plea and the difficulty of serving time in a foreign jurisdiction. Aggravating factors included the asphyxiation of the victim. Conditions of the suspended portion include a perpetual ban on direct or indirect contact with the victim. Additionally, Yungman is ordered to leave the jurisdiction upon release and is prohibited from returning for 10 years. The court acknowledged the victim's recovery and the support provided by Yungman's family, who expressed remorse and accountability during the proceedings.
Christopher O'Grady, 34, formerly of Dundalk, was sentenced at the Central Criminal Court for raping a 19-year-old Spanish tourist on January 1, 2019. Following a trial last March, the jury found him guilty of one count of rape. Ms Justice Caroline Biggs imposed a seven-year sentence, with the final six months suspended. The court noted aggravating factors, including the victim's intoxication and the predatory nature of the offence, which left her with PTSD and depression. Although the hearing was initially adjourned to explore restorative justice, the Probation Service advised the court that such measures were not feasible due to O'Grady's conduct during an interview. O'Grady, who has 65 previous convictions and was homeless at the time of the offence, accepted the verdict and expressed remorse. He had been in custody since August 2024 after breaching bail conditions. The judge acknowledged his chaotic upbringing but emphasized the severe impact on the victim, who described feeling 'like a doll' during the incident. The suspended portion of the sentence is intended to encourage rehabilitation, with O'Grady agreeing to work with the Probation Service.
Clodagh Byrne, 32, of Castlederg, pleaded guilty to theft at Marks & Spencer in Dublin on 24 July. She admitted taking items worth €223.70, claiming she acted in a "moment of madness" after seeing images of suffering in Gaza. Byrne said she believed the store was funding genocide and supporting Zionists, and that her theft was a reaction to those scenes. Judge Anne Watkin rejected this as an abuse of people suffering, stating it was not a valid excuse for shoplifting. The judge suggested Byrne avoid the store if she felt that way and questioned her self‑employment as a therapist. Byrne was fined €500, with a six‑month payment period. The case was heard under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act. The court did not impose any custodial sentence.
On 1 April 2021, Maria Mohan, 36, of Belfry Green, Citywest, Dublin 24, entered Springfield Pharmacy in Tallaght and became agitated when informed her prescription had expired. She struck a protective Covid screen that was part of the till area, causing the entire structure to shatter and damaging cosmetics and surrounding property. The damage was estimated at €1,000, but no compensation was paid. Mohan pleaded guilty to criminal damage, possession of cannabis (from an arrest on 18 April 2019) and threatening behaviour at Tallaght Garda Station on 10 October 2023. At Tallaght District Court, Judge Patricia McNamara imposed a five‑month prison sentence, suspended for 12 months, for the criminal damage, and fined her €300. She was also fined €250 for the public‑order offence, both payable within five months, and entered into a peace bond. The court noted her mental‑health conditions and her engagement with a restorative justice programme.
Five men were sentenced at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for the false imprisonment and assault causing harm of Natalie Ennis at Henrietta House, Dublin 7, on September 26, 2024. All defendants pleaded guilty to the charges, with additional counts taken into consideration. Judge Pauline Codd described the incident as sadistic and cruel, noting the victim was beaten, burned, cut, and threatened. Braxton Rice, identified as the main ringleader, received a 15-year sentence, with the final 12 months suspended on strict conditions. Sean Conroy, described as a main mover, was sentenced to 13 years, with the final 12 months suspended on strict conditions. Mark McMahon, who facilitated the offence by providing his flat, received a 12-year sentence. His son, Mark Keogh, was jailed for nine years. Kian Walshe, who transported the victim and shared a recording of the attack, received an 11-year sentence, with the final two-and-a-half years suspended on strict conditions. The judge backdated all sentences to the date each man entered custody. She highlighted the aggravating factors, including the premediated nature of the attack and the defendants' bail status, while acknowledging their guilty pleas and personal circumstances.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, a 16‑year‑old was convicted of assault causing harm after striking a victim with a claw hammer in a public park on 19 May 2020. Witnesses saw the teenager hit the victim's head about five times while the victim was seated on another youth. The victim suffered two depressed skull fractures and five open wounds requiring up to 30 stitches, and was advised to stop contact sports. The defendant, now 21, pleaded guilty and was sentenced to a term of three years and four months, with the final 12 months suspended, giving a custodial period of two years. The judge noted the defendant's prior convictions, his family support, and his engagement with community programmes, while emphasising the impact on the victim's future sporting and personal life. The sentence was imposed before the suspended portion was activated.
The 24‑year‑old man was convicted of attempted oral rape, sexual assault and engaging in a sexual act with a child under 15 after a Central Criminal Court trial. He met the 14‑year‑old victim on social media, arranged a meeting in Dublin, and the next day engaged in sex at his apartment, where he also attempted to rape her orally. The judge sentenced him to six‑and‑a‑half years' imprisonment, with the final six months suspended on strict conditions. The man had no prior convictions. He pleaded no‑guilty, was not allowed to claim the most significant mitigating factor, and was found guilty. The judge noted the age disparity and the victim's intellectual difficulties as aggravating factors. The sentence was imposed at the trial, with no further outcome reported.
Bradford Meehan, a 54-year-old serial offender with 116 previous convictions, had his five-month prison sentence suspended on appeal. Meehan was convicted in the District Court of burglary contrary to section 12(1b)(3) of the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act, 2001, after allegedly causing €5,000 worth of damage to an apartment complex on Bonham Street, Dublin 8, in July. He was originally sentenced to five months consecutive to a 42-month sentence he is currently serving for a different matter. Meehan appealed against the severity of this sentence. Defence counsel Seosaimhín Ní Chathasaigh BL argued that Meehan's reoffending was driven by a chronic drug addiction and that he is now a model prisoner in Mountjoy Prison, free of illicit substances. Judge Christopher Callan acknowledged that seeking a suspended sentence was "a stretch" given Meehan was on release from prison when the alleged crime occurred and had succumbed to addiction again. However, the judge decided to suspend the five-month sentence for two years. The conditions require Meehan to keep the peace and come under the supervision of the probation service upon release. Additionally, the judge directed that Meehan remain on the enhanced privilege regime while in custody.
The Court of Appeal rejected Paul Bourke's appeal against his ten‑year prison sentence for drug offences. Bourke, aged 57, pleaded guilty to eight counts including possession of €1.7 million worth of cocaine, €18,100 in cash, and three Glock 17 pistols. The offences occurred at his Kilkenny home, a Ballygall Parade address, and locations in Tallaght and Ashbourne. The sentencing judge had reduced the headline 15‑year sentence by one‑third to ten years, citing Bourke's personal circumstances. Bourke's defence argued that incarceration would be too difficult due to psychological issues, but the court found no formal diagnosis and noted the presence of firearms and large drug quantities. The appeal was dismissed, and the ten‑year sentence stands. The court emphasised the gravity of the offence and the extent of Bourke's involvement in the drug supply chain.
Two men, Robert Burns (59) and Lorenzo Cantaragiu (22), were sentenced by Mr Justice Tony Hunt at the Central Criminal Court for aiding the murder of Mahamud Ilyas (22). Burns provided a house for drug dealing and allowed the killers to use it; he also cleaned blood from the premises. Cantaragiu drove the killers from the scene to Belgree Lane in Co Meath, where Ilyas was left to die, and later cleaned the car. Both were given four‑year prison terms with the entirety suspended, meaning they walk free today but must remain of good behaviour for four years or risk serving the term. They also face a one‑year probation bond and must attend programmes recommended by the probation service. The judge warned them to avoid further criminal activity and to address Burns' cannabis use, which he said had drawn the killers into his life. Lorenzo Cantaragiu was convicted.
Robert Clinch, aged 43, received a seven‑year sentence for two robberies of a Coolock pharmacy in February and July 2023, with the final three years suspended. The court noted his 189 prior convictions and his status as a long‑time drug addict who had been released during Covid without support. Clinch pleaded guilty, claiming a desire to rehabilitate and become drug‑free. Judge Elma Duffy highlighted that he targeted the same shop and victims twice, and that he had been described as a "pathetic figure" driven by a need to feed his habit. The judge imposed consecutive sentences, suspended the last three years on strict conditions, and required assessment by the probation service before release. The court heard that Clinch had entered the pharmacy armed with a knife, demanded €150 and 300 tablets, and had been identified by CCTV.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing on 29 July 2025, 48‑year‑old Richard Manson pleaded guilty to assault causing serious harm after a one‑punch attack on Patrik Hudacek outside Pilsner Bar on 3 December 2023. Manson, who had previously been involved in a brawl that lasted about 90 seconds, struck Hudacek in the face, knocking him to the ground and rendering him unconscious. Hudacek suffered a serious head injury that required five hours of brain surgery and five weeks in a medically induced coma. Judge Martin Nolan imposed a four‑year sentence, suspending the final 18 months on strict conditions, and ordered Manson to pay €20,000 to Hudacek's family within one month. The court noted Manson's prior convictions and his expressed remorse, but emphasised the seriousness of the injury sustained by Hudacek.
Michael Murray, 54, was convicted in 2021 of making death threats against two barristers and of harassing his rape victim by advertising her online as a prostitute. He had previously been sentenced to 19 years for rape in 2013, a sentence later increased to 19 years by the Court of Appeal. In July 2021, Judge Karen O'Connor imposed a nine‑year sentence for the threat to Dominic McGinn and a seven‑year sentence for the threat to Tony McGillicuddy, to be served consecutively, giving an effective 16‑year term for these offences. The judge also imposed four years for harassment of McGinn and the female defence solicitor and five years for possession of a mobile phone in prison. Murray's barrister, Barry White SC, argued that the totality principle was not applied and that the combined 35‑year sentence was wrong, while the Director of Public Prosecutions' counsel maintained that the consecutive sentences were appropriate and proportionate. Michael Murray pleaded not guilty.
A man in his 30s was refused bail after a judge described the alleged incident as "very violent and serious behaviour". He is accused of holding a carving knife to a makeup‑artist escort's throat and robbing her of two iPhones, a black handbag and €1,340 in cash. The assault took place at his apartment in South Dublin on the early hours of Sunday, 27 July. The woman, who had travelled from England to earn extra money, was left with a deep laceration between thumb and forefinger and significant blood loss. CCTV footage shows the man dragging her while holding the knife. He is charged with robbery, production of an article and offences under the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act. He was remanded in custody and will appear via video link at Cloverhill District Court on 31 July.
A 42‑year‑old man named Matthias Kelly, who has an acquired brain injury, pleaded guilty at the Central Criminal Court to attempting to murder Fiona Timmermans on 7 September 2024 at Newbury Lawns, Clonshaugh. He also admitted trespassing on the same day, committing an arrestable offence, and producing a serrated kitchen knife in a manner likely to intimidate. Kelly further confessed to threatening Ms Timmermans on 1 September 2024 at an unknown location, intending the threat to be carried out. He pleaded guilty to damaging property, specifically the sitting‑room and front‑bedroom windows of Jennifer Barror on 6 September 2024. Defence counsel informed the judge that Kelly's brain injury was operative at the time of the offences and requested legal aid for a medical report. The court adjourned the case to 10 November for a sentence hearing, with victim impact evidence to be presented then.
Jack Cummins, 22, was sentenced to six years in prison for procuring the commission of assault causing serious harm to Alanna Quinn Idris on Ballyfermot Road on December 30, 2021. Judge Pauline Codd stated that Cummins instigated the pre-meditated violence by phoning his cousin, Josh Cummins, leading to an attack by four youths. Cummins pleaded guilty to procuring the assault, violent disorder, and assault causing harm to Louis O'Sullivan. The judge set a headline sentence of 11 years, reduced to seven years for mitigation, with the final year suspended. All sentences run concurrently. Josh Cummins, 20, previously pleaded guilty to intentionally or recklessly causing serious harm to Ms Quinn Idris, violent disorder, production of a hurl, and assault causing harm to Mr O'Sullivan. He received a five-year sentence in November 2023, with the final two years suspended. Darragh Lyons, 21, pleaded guilty to assault causing serious harm to Ms Quinn Idris, assault causing harm to Mr O'Sullivan, and violent disorder. He was sentenced to four and a half years in March 2023. Ms Quinn Idris suffered permanent blindness in her right eye and facial disfigurement. The court noted Cummins had no previous convictions and expressed remorse. The matter was adjourned to July 29 for finalisation, and Jack Cummins was remanded on continuing bail.
William Kavanagh, 35, was convicted in the District Court for a series of thefts and criminal damage in Dublin between January and March 2024. He stole 15 pairs of socks worth €290, a wallet and €90 in cash, smashed a car window, and wrote his own blood on the walls of a Garda cell. He was found guilty of three counts of theft, three counts of criminal damage and one count of possessing stolen property. The District Court sentenced him to 14 months, with six months for the January 8 theft and eight months for the January 25 theft, consecutive to a term he was already serving. On appeal, Judge Christopher Callan reduced the sentence to seven months, suspended for two years, on the condition that Kavanagh remains peaceful and engages with Merchant's Quay Ireland for rehabilitation upon release.
Leni Shanahan, a former employee of Spilt Milk, secured €5,000 in compensation from LN Ice Cream Ltd following a Workplace Relations Commission hearing. Ms Shanahan alleged sexual harassment by a colleague, identified as Mr A, during her employment at the Drury Street shop in 2024. She claimed Mr A made inappropriate comments about sexual chemistry, commented on her physical appearance, and insisted she stop refusing his advances. The adjudicator found that the employer failed to take reasonable and practical steps to prevent harassment, noting no measures were in place. Although the adjudicator noted it was unhelpful that Ms Shanahan declined to participate in the company's internal investigation, this did not diminish the respondent's liability. Dave Meehan, a company director and applicant in related proceedings, testified that he had since undertaken human resources training and apologized for the situation. He stated he had no prior experience managing a city centre shop and believed he had led with care. Another director, Steven Murphy, noted that the internal investigation found no factual evidence to uphold the complaint, as Mr A refuted the allegations. The WRC adjudicator, Pat Brady, upheld the claim and awarded the compensation, rejecting the statutory defence due to the lack of preventive measures.