Bruna Alves De Campos, a 35‑year‑old mother of four from Brazil, pleaded guilty in the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to importing 109 cocaine pellets worth €63,653 on 2 November 2024 at Dublin Airport. She admitted ingesting the pellets to finance the care of her ill parents, who had since passed away, and claimed she was a drug mule. Garda Anthony Boyle described her arrival at customs as suspicious, noting photographs of the pellets on her phone and her admission of ingestion. De Campos was taken to hospital, arrested, and later cooperated with investigators by providing phone numbers and email addresses, though she did not name the recipient, citing fear. She had no prior convictions. Judge Orla Crowe sentenced her to three years' imprisonment, to be served in full, citing the role of drug mules in drug importation and the hardship of her situation.
David Hunter, a Liverpool native convicted of murdering dissident Republican Michael Barr in 2016, appealed to the Court of Appeal, arguing that the Special Criminal Court erred in dismissing witness evidence regarding the height of the gunman and breached his privacy rights by admitting mobile phone data. Hunter, who was found guilty in September 2020, contended that a witness identified the assailant as six feet one or two, whereas Hunter is five feet ten, and that the DNA match on a ski mask was coincidental. The State countered that Hunter and co-accused Eamonn Cumberton were of the same height, and that DNA profiles from latex masks linked Hunter, Cumberton, and Christopher Slator to the getaway car. The State further argued that the phone evidence was lawfully obtained under legislation applicable at the time. The court noted that Hunter's involvement was fully proved by circumstantial evidence, including the DNA match and the abandoned vehicle. The matter was adjourned, with the judges reserving their judgment. Hunter remains one of three men convicted of the murder; Eamonn Cumberton was convicted in January 2018, and Christopher Slator was convicted in July 2022.
Sergiu Lupo, 39, pleaded guilty to 43 counts of theft, attempted theft and criminal damage for a three‑day spree of targeted ATM thefts in Dublin from 3 to 6 June 2019. He stole €7,260 and caused €7,147 in damage across 24 incidents at AIB ATMs in locations such as Artane, Stillorgan, Dundrum, Crumlin, Tallaght, Clondalkin, Rathfarnham, Finglas, Swords and Portmarnock. Lupo also assisted in a separate incident at Sutton Cross, where he watched two men withdraw cash and then drove them away. Judge Orla Crowe sentenced him to two years and six months' imprisonment, back‑dated to 15 November 2024, for the deliberate, organised nature of the offences and the significant financial loss and inconvenience caused to AIB and the public. The sentence reflects the aggravating factors of the scale of theft and damage, and the fact that Lupo fled and was extradited back to Ireland. He has no prior convictions in Ireland or elsewhere.
A man in his thirties was jailed for one month after breaching a protection order by confronting and bullying his former partner in public while on bail for an earlier breach. He pleaded guilty to a phone call and message made just days after the order was granted on 17 January 2024, and was convicted of a second breach on 1 September 2024 during a custody handover. The court heard he shouted abusive remarks, demanded the woman speak to him, and tried to control her in front of their children. He had 12 prior convictions, including theft and assault, and was on bail at the time of the September incident. Judge Anne Watkin imposed the prison term, a 12‑month peace bond with strict conditions, a €500 recognisance, and an independent surety of €500 for appeal. The woman had left the family home due to abuse and feared for her safety. The unnamed accused pleaded not guilty.
Rosie Ward, 33, of Tallaght, pleaded guilty to multiple thefts after being stopped by security at The Square Shopping Centre on 4 May. She admitted taking €30 worth of clothing from Dunnes Stores, €292.40 of groceries from Tesco and €740 of items from Easons. While in custody at Tallaght Garda Station, she threw a can of Monster energy drink at a table with electrical equipment. She was remanded on bail and will appear again on 1 July 2025 for finalisation.
In the Central Criminal Court, Lubomir Puska Jnr, aged 37, denied that he had asked anyone to dispose of the knife used to murder school teacher Ashling Murphy or to dispose of his brother Jozef's clothes on the day of the murder. He also denied that he had asked anyone to dispose of the clothes. The court heard that Jozef Puska, aged 35, attacked Ms Murphy, aged 23, on the canal towpath at Cappincur in Tullamore on 12 January 2022, killing her with 12 sharp force injuries, 11 of which were stab wounds. Lubomir Jnr had made two statements to Gardaí, first on 18 January 2022 and again on 26 January 2022, in which he described Jozef's condition and alleged that Jozef had tried to explain his actions. He also denied that he had asked anyone to dispose of the knife or the clothes. The unnamed accused pleaded not guilty.
A 57‑year‑old man, already serving a 10‑year sentence for raping a 16‑year‑old in 2018, was ordered to serve an additional three years for harassing and threatening to kill his former partner, a woman 33 years his junior. He had begun a relationship with her in 2018, met online while selling puppies, and they had a child. After the relationship ended, he sent her three threat‑to‑kill messages on 11 January 2020 and harassed her between 18 December 2019 and 31 March 2020. He also sent a photo of an elderly patient to her employer, falsely alleging mistreatment, which led to her suspension and eventual dismissal. The judge, noting the age disparity and the lasting impact on her life, imposed a four‑year sentence with the final year suspended, to run consecutively with his rape sentence, and ordered no contact for five years after release. The man's prior 29 convictions were also noted. The unnamed 57-year-old pleaded guilty.
Daniel Buckley, 32, pleaded guilty to possession of drugs for sale or supply after Gardaí raided his cabin on 21 April 2024. He was found throwing a gym bag over a wall; the bag contained €46,358 worth of cannabis and cocaine, plus €1,710 in cash. Buckley admitted he knew the bag held drugs but did not know their value, citing a €10,000 drug debt. He had held the drugs for two weeks, expecting others to take portions. He has prior convictions for theft and drug offences. The court sentenced him to three years, with the final six months suspended on strict conditions. He will be supervised by the Probation Service for 12 months after release to aid rehabilitation and vocational reintegration.
Philip Moore, 41, of Carlow, was convicted at Carlow Circuit Criminal Court of false imprisonment and assault of Alan Rossiter, who was bundled into the boot of Moore's mother's car between 14 and 15 August 2022. Moore denied the charges and was acquitted of two further charges of threats to kill and production of a knife. He claimed Rossiter had attacked him the previous night and that his friend Shane Coady was responsible, but the jury found no evidence to support this. Coady, 25, pleaded guilty to assaulting Rossiter and is due to be sentenced later this week. After the conviction, Judge Eugene O'Kelly granted Moore bail on strict conditions, including daily sign‑ins at Carlow Garda Station and a curfew, but issued a warrant for his arrest after Moore failed to attend the scheduled sentence hearing. The case was adjourned to Wednesday, with the sentence hearing for Coady set for Thursday.
David Donohoe, a builder who had worked for SJK Civils Ltd for 13 years, was dismissed in April 2024 after a dispute over working hours. He claimed the employer had asked him to start at 5.30am instead of 7am and then expected him to finish at 3pm instead of 1.30pm. Donohoe refused to work the extended hours, called the director a "sneaky rat" and left the site. The director said Donohoe was only sent away on 5 April and was formally dismissed on 19 April for gross misconduct. Donohoe's solicitor argued the dismissal process was applied retroactively. The Workplace Relations Commission found the dismissal unfair and awarded Donohoe €9,000, noting he had suffered losses of €15,977 between April and August 2024.
The Central Criminal Court has ordered that the trial of Riad Bouchaker, aged 50, be prioritised because some of the alleged victims are children. Bouchaker faces charges of attempting to murder two girls and a boy, assault causing serious harm to a care worker, and possession or production of a knife. The case arose from an incident on 23 November 2023 at Parnell Square, Dublin, where Bouchaker allegedly assaulted a care worker and attempted to kill three children. Lawyers for Bouchaker have informed Judge Paul McDermott that they are awaiting a psychiatric report. The psychiatrist, who had requested a neuropsychologist's report, has received it and will complete her assessment within three weeks. Judge McDermott has urged all parties to expedite the matter, noting that the trial will be revisited on 15 June. The Department of Justice has introduced a protocol to fast‑track trials involving children, aiming to conclude the process within one year where possible.
Evan Moore, aged 20, was remanded in custody pending sentencing on 13 October after pleading guilty to rioting and fire damage to a Luas tram during the Dublin riots of November 2023. The court heard that Moore, who was 18 at the time, had been "swept up in anti‑immigrant sentiment" and that his mother was "disgusted and ashamed" of his actions. CCTV footage showed him moving burning material onto the tram and damaging its windows between 7.05 pm and 7.40 pm. The tram suffered nearly €5 million in damage, and the Luas service was suspended for 24 hours. Moore had no prior convictions, had admitted his involvement during a May 2024 protest, and had completed an online anti‑racism course. The judge revoked his bail and ordered a probation report before sentencing.
In a Court of Appeal hearing, lawyers for Philip Disney (30) and Sean Carlyle (32) argued that footage of Disney dancing in a pub after the August 24, 2019 murder of Vincent Parsons should not have been shown to the jury. They claimed the clip was prejudicial, suggesting Disney was celebrating the killing, and that the prosecution had failed to prove an act directly committed by Disney. The appeal also challenged the admissibility of comments made by Disney and Carlyle during police searches of their homes, arguing that the searches were conducted without proper caution or procedural safeguards. Counsel for Carlyle further contested the use of inference interviews and the identification of Carlyle in CCTV footage, citing potential bias. The appeal was heard by a three‑judge panel, with the court reserving judgment on the arguments presented. The case remains at the appeal stage, with no verdict or sentencing yet announced.
Vladislovas Jurevicius, a 39‑year‑old chef, was arrested in February 2024 after Gardaí discovered he had cloned fuel cards from a trucking logistics company and used them to steal an estimated €25,000 worth of diesel between August 2023 and February 2024. He pleaded guilty to possession of a card with intent to commit theft and five counts of stealing diesel at an Applegreen service station in Ballymount, as well as one count of cultivating juvenile cannabis plants at his home in Greenfield Heights, Rathwire, Co. Westmeath. Gardaí found 35 cannabis plants, two empty 200‑litre fuel barrels, and photographs of the cloned cards on Jurevicius's phone. He has no prior convictions and was described by his employer as a valuable staff member. The court ordered a probation report and adjourned the case to October 6, allowing Jurevicius to provide additional restitution to the affected company.
Amy Mongan, 25, of Kilbarrack, Dublin 5, pleaded guilty at Tallaght District Court to stealing €1,387 worth of cosmetics from Boots in Tallaght on September 21, 2023. The court heard that Mongan committed the offence while on bail and has 28 previous convictions, including 24 for theft. She is currently on a 12-month probation bond and had previously received a suspended sentence in December 2024. Defence counsel Lauren Flanagan BL, instructed by Padraig O'Donovan, stated that Mongan struggled with addictions and is no longer using drugs. Counsel noted that Mongan is caring for her unwell mother, her own child, and her sister's children. Judge Catherine Ghent described the offence as serious given Mongan's record but ordered a community service report to assess her suitability. The matter was adjourned to July 18, and Mongan was remanded on bail. The judge told Mongan, "Too many people are depending on you now for you not to be available to them."
In the Central Criminal Court, Lubomir Puska Junior, aged 38, admitted to lying to Gardaí about his brother Jozef Puska's whereabouts on the day of Ashling Murphy's murder. He first claimed Jozef had been "a bit sad" and left the house in the early afternoon, but later apologized and revealed he had seen Jozef again after 9 pm, describing him as looking beaten and with lacerations. The court heard that Jozef, who was convicted of murdering 23‑year‑old teacher Ashling Murphy on 12 January 2022, had been living with Lubomir and another brother Marek at Lynally Grove. Lubomir and Marek are accused of withholding crucial information, while Jozefina Grundzova and Viera Gaziova are accused of impeding the investigation by burning clothes. All accused plead not guilty. The trial is before Ms Justice Caroline Biggs with a jury of seven men and five women.
A 33‑year‑old Dublin man was sentenced to 12 years' imprisonment for rape, assault causing harm and threats to kill or cause serious harm to his then‑partner, who gave birth to their child in 2023. The jury convicted him on 24 October 2022 after he threatened to "kick the baby out" and told her "die b**ch, die." He had 11 prior convictions and had pleaded guilty to four counts of assault causing harm, coercive control and criminal damage at the start of his Central Criminal Court trial. The victim, who suffered flashbacks and lived in survival mode for nearly two years, described a pattern of violence including smashing a coffee table, kicking doors, grabbing her hair and threatening suicide. The judge noted a probation report placed him at high risk of reoffending in intimate partner violence. The sentence was back‑dated to February for time already spent in custody. The man does not accept the verdict.
Mary Higgins, 62, pleaded guilty in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to stealing €500,000 from Mount Sackville Secondary School between 2012 and 2017. She had been a bursar for 24 years and controlled the school's cash flow, using the money for gambling. Higgins sold her home and signed over her pension to repay the school, having already repaid €470,949.62. She has no prior convictions and has since engaged in addiction treatment, voluntary counselling, and studies in addiction and psychotherapy. The court noted her remorse and the lack of oversight that enabled the theft. She now lives with her 93‑year‑old mother and receives a weekly carer's allowance. Judge Orla Crowe will decide on June 19.
Patrick Byrne, 28, formerly of Cloverhill Road, Dublin, appeared before Dublin Circuit Criminal Court where he pleaded guilty to one count of assault causing harm, one count of production of a broom handle in the course of a dispute, and one count of making a threat to kill at an address in Clondalkin. He also pleaded guilty to one count of threatening a witness in criminal proceedings on dates between April 11 and May 20, 2024. The court heard allegations that Byrne assaulted his then-partner over two days in February 2024, including whipping her with a broom handle and holding a blade to her throat. While in custody, he allegedly threatened the complainant via text messages, urging her to drop charges. Byrne has 44 previous convictions, including a recent two-year, nine-month sentence for assault. Defense counsel Mark Lynam SC described the relationship as toxic and requested a probation report to assist with rehabilitation upon release. Judge Pauline Codd noted Byrne's "horrendous anger issues." The matter was adjourned for sentence on October 20, with the court ordering urine analysis, a governor's report, and a probation report.
Two men, Mark McCourt, 34, of Edencrieve, Newry, and Conor O'Brien, 28, of Kilpatrick, Ardee, are set to be tried before the Special Criminal Court on firearms charges. McCourt faces 24 counts for possessing parts for .223 calibre Remington AR‑15 semi‑automatic rifles and various pistol parts, including Lugers and Sig Sauers, along with pistol magazines and ammunition, all at John St, Blackstick, Ardee, on 19 July 2024. O'Brien is charged with 24 similar offences on the same date and location, plus an additional count for aiding a criminal organisation in importing firearms and ammunition between 10 February 2023 and 19 July 2024. He is also charged under the Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing Act for handling €7,450 and $20 Canadian, and for possessing €9,980 in criminal proceeds at Hazelbrook Square, Dublin. The court will hear the case in June.
Keith Smithers and Peter White were sentenced at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court following a trial concerning the death of Brian Hogan on January 13, 2023, at Collins Place in Finglas. Both men had pleaded not guilty to the unlawful killing and robbery. Smithers was convicted of manslaughter and robbery, while White was acquitted of the killing but convicted of robbery. Judge Martin Nolan handed Smithers a global sentence of nine years, comprising nine years for manslaughter and a concurrent four and a half years for robbery. White was jailed for four and a half years for robbery. The judge noted there was little formal mitigation, citing extensive previous convictions for both defendants, though he acknowledged Smithers' remorse as a small level of mitigation. The court accepted that the robbery context was serious and that there was a common design. A victim impact statement from Lyndsey Doyle, Hogan's partner, described witnessing the killing as brutal and cruel. The judge directed that both men receive credit for time served and granted a defence application to extend legal aid for a potential appeal.
Tammy O'Connor, 29, of Craigie Court, Finglas, Dublin 11, pleaded guilty to criminal damage, arson and theft after she set her neighbour's taxi on fire. The victim, a taxi driver, discovered his car's front passenger window smashed and rear tyres slashed at 1.30 am on 4 July 2023, with €100 in a coin tray and a dash‑cam taken. On 28 July, he found the car's interior on fire after a fire alarm sounded. Gardaí obtained CCTV showing O'Connor smashing the window and throwing a homemade pipe bomb, which she had Googled after receiving an eviction notice. She admitted the act, citing stress, addiction and mental‑health difficulties. Judge Elva Duffy sentenced her to two and a half years, suspending the final 18 months on strict conditions, including 18 months of probation engagement. The sentence reflects the recklessness of the offence and the impact on the victim.
The trial of five accused persons in Tullamore, Co Offaly, continues before Ms Justice Caroline Biggs and a jury. Jozef Puska has been convicted of murdering Ashling Murphy, a 23-year-old schoolteacher, in January 2022. His brother, Marek Puska (36), and Lubomir Puska Jnr (35), are accused of withholding information crucial to the investigation, charged under the Offences Against the State, Amendment Act 1988. Their wives, Jozefina Grundzova (31) and Viera Gaziova (38), are accused of impeding Jozef Puska's apprehension or prosecution by burning his clothes, charged under the Criminal Law Act 1997. All five defendants, who reside at Lynally Grove, Mucklagh, have pleaded not guilty. The court heard that Marek Puska alleged his brother unintentionally "cut" a woman and described the incident as "probably bad." It is alleged that Marek and Lubomir failed to disclose that Jozef returned home with visible injuries and admitted to causing harm. The women are alleged to have burned clothing between January 12 and 14 to impede justice. The trial is ongoing, with no sentencing or finalisation recorded for the current accused.
Dean Boland, aged 37, was convicted of unlawfully killing Ohari Viera, who was living in an upstairs apartment of a Dublin residential property, after Boland broke into the downstairs apartment, stole a rucksack and set the building on fire on 21 August 2018. Viera and two other men evacuated safely when the fire started. Viera later returned to the burning building for an unknown reason and did not survive. Boland was sentenced to eight years in prison in December 2022. In an appeal, Boland's counsel argued that Viera's voluntary decision to re-enter the blaze broke the chain of causation, thereby negating Boland's culpability. The Court of Appeal noted that causation is a jury matter and that the fire was the substantial cause of Viera's death, with the decision to re-enter being a matter for the jury to decide. The appeal judgment was reserved. Dean Boland pleaded not guilty.
Patrick Fitzgerald (48), with an address in Glenties, pleaded guilty at the Central Criminal Court to facilitating a criminal organisation between November 11 and 18, 2021. The court heard that Fitzgerald, known as 'Mr Fishy', purchased and provided getaway vehicles used in an attempted murder of Dublin man Gary Carey on November 17, 2021. Carey was shot ten times and sustained gunshot wounds to his torso but survived. He subsequently died from injuries sustained in a second attack in August 2022. Fitzgerald was arrested in December 2021 and exercised his right to silence during interviews. The court heard he has 72 previous convictions. While on bail for an aggravated burglary charge, Fitzgerald was jailed for seven and a half years in February this year following a home invasion that terrorised a family including a six-year-old child. Sentencing was adjourned to July 7. Victim impact statements detailed the family's trauma and loss of safety following the shooting.
An eBay customer‑support agent, Eanna Donoghue, who had worked for the company for almost seven years, resigned on 5 March 2024 after receiving a written warning for "work avoidance" following a four‑minute period of inactivity on his computer. Donoghue claimed that personal tragedies, including a friend's death in Navan, had affected him and that the warning was unfair. He also alleged that the warning was linked to earlier grievances he had filed against managers. The Workplace Relations Commission tribunal rejected his constructive dismissal claim under the Unfair Dismissals Act 1977. The tribunal found that the warning was justified, noting that any period over 60 seconds of inactivity was considered work avoidance, and that Donoghue had not raised a grievance before resigning. The decision upheld the written warning and dismissed the claim.
The Special Criminal Court has sentenced three defendants convicted of murder and three others for violent disorder arising from the Christmas Eve 2023 killing of Tristan Sherry at Browne's Steakhouse in Blanchardstown. Mr Justice Kerida Naidoo sentenced David Amah (19) and an unnamed 18-year-old accomplice to 12 years' imprisonment, with the final three years suspended. Both were 17 at the time of the offence, meaning they were not subject to the mandatory life sentence, a position supported by recent Supreme Court rulings. Michael Andrecut (23), who was an adult at the time, was previously sentenced to the mandatory life term. For the violent disorder convictions, Brandon Hennessy (22) received four-and-a-half years, with the final six months suspended for one year. Jonas Kabangu (19) was sentenced to four years, with the final 12 months suspended for two years. An unnamed 18-year-old received two years and four months, with the final year suspended for two years. The judge noted the lack of premeditation and that the victims were disarmed when attacked, while emphasizing the need to deter unlawful violence.
John Stokes, 22, was placed under Probation Service supervision ahead of sentencing at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. He pleaded guilty to one count of careless driving causing serious bodily harm to a woman, a charge accepted by the DPP on a full facts basis. The offence carries a maximum penalty of two years' imprisonment and/or a fine of up to €10,000. The incident occurred on May 2, 2021, at Lower Lucan Road, where Stokes lost control of his vehicle, colliding head-on with another car. The collision left a woman with fractured spine and ribs, requiring her to be cut from the vehicle. Stokes, who was on bail for another offence at the time, had previously failed to appear for sentencing, resulting in a warrant for his arrest. He later presented himself to gardai after living in the UK. The court heard he was a learner driver accompanied by a licensed passenger and not under the influence of intoxicants. Victim impact statements detailed ongoing pain, mental health struggles, and financial difficulties. Defence counsel highlighted Stokes' age at the time of the offence, mental health history, and role as a father. Judge Elma Sheahan noted the seriousness of his failure to attend court and his status as an on-bail offender. She ordered a six-month probation period, a good behaviour bond, and the submission of probation, GP, and counselling reports before the matter is finalised on November 24.
Stephen Wilson, a 49‑year‑old chronic offender with 95 prior convictions, appeared in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court on 23 May 2025. He had previously pleaded guilty to two attempted burglaries at commercial premises on Mount Street on 24 April 2020. During the hearing, Wilson refused to accept the bond and the 18‑month sentence imposed by Judge Orla Crowe, demanding a new trial date and a jury trial. The judge upheld the sentence of three years, with the final 18 months suspended for two years, and adjourned the imposition until 30 May. Wilson's case involved CCTV evidence of an attempted burglary using a plastic "glide" and a screwdriver with his DNA. The court noted his extensive criminal history, including burglary, possession of stolen property, and drug addiction, and placed him under probation supervision for one year after release. The sentence was back‑dated to the date he entered custody for the matter.
The Central Criminal Court has convicted four men of offences arising from the murder of Mahamud Ilyas. Viorel Doroscan and Otniel Richardo Clejan, who pleaded not guilty, were unanimously convicted of murder and remanded in custody. They face a mandatory term of life imprisonment at a sentencing hearing scheduled for June 23. Lorenzo Cantaragiu, who also pleaded not guilty, was convicted of impeding the prosecution or apprehension of Doroscan and Clejan and cleaning his car to impede the prosecution. The jury rejected his defence that he acted under intimidation. Cantaragiu was remanded in custody until June 23, with a probation report directed. Robert Burns, who pleaded guilty to one count of cleaning the apartment where the assault occurred, had his remaining charges indicated for dismissal at a later hearing. The court described the disposal of the victim as grotesquely inhumane. The matter for all defendants is adjourned to June 23 for sentencing or further proceedings.
The trial of four accused persons in connection with the murder of Ashling Murphy continues before Ms Justice Caroline Biggs and a jury. Marek Puska (36) and Lubomir Puska Jnr (35) are accused of withholding information under the Offences Against the State, Amendment Act 1988, while their wives, Jozefina Grundzova (31) and Viera Gaziova (38), are accused of impeding Jozef Puska's apprehension by burning his clothing under the Criminal Law Act 1997. All four defendants have pleaded not guilty. During testimony, Detective Garda Cian Steers detailed Marek Puska's voluntary statement from January 14, 2022, in which he described the family's living situation and his search for Jozef Puska on the day of the murder. Marek stated he wished to provide further information but was hindered by medication for back problems. In cross-examination, it was noted that Marek accurately identified Jozef's bicycle. Garda Joanne O'Sullivan testified that Marek later revealed Jozef returned home on the night of the murder with visible injuries, including holes in his abdomen, and admitted to causing harm to a woman. It is alleged that Marek and Lubomir withheld this information, while the women assisted in destroying evidence. The matter was adjourned and the trial continues on Monday.
Alida Kuiken, 50, of Knockraha, Cork, pleaded guilty in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to allowing €16,997 of stolen money to be transferred through her bank account on 27‑28 September 2022. The money had been sent by a fraudster who posed as a U.S. marine and claimed to be her fiancé. Kuiken had met him online in February 2021 but never met him in person. She admitted she was "utterly naive" and had transferred the money to an account she believed belonged to the man, later sending it by Bitcoin. Gardaí seized her diary, which listed goals such as paying back the money and finding a husband. The judge accepted her plea on the basis of recklessness and imposed a one‑year suspended sentence, fully suspended, with no custodial term. No prior convictions were recorded.
John Power, 35, pleaded guilty to two robberies and an attempted robbery at Dublin city shops in March 2023. He has 106 prior convictions, 99 in District Court and seven in Circuit Court. Judge Martina Baxter sentenced him to two and a half years for the attempted robbery and four years for each robbery, all concurrent. She suspended the final 18 months of the 2½‑year term, backdated the sentence to October 2024, and ordered 18 months of post‑release supervision. Power's earlier guilty pleas, remorse, insight, and a drug‑free urine test were mitigating factors, while his addiction and past convictions were aggravating. The court noted that a shop worker resisted him during the attempted robbery, and CCTV footage identified him wearing a distinctive jacket. Power apologized to the judge and pledged never to use drugs again. The case was prosecuted by BL Miranda Egan‑Langley.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, a 77‑year‑old man pleaded guilty to two counts of indecent assault on his former girlfriend's sisters, committed when he was about 16 between 1964 and 1965. The assaults occurred in the sisters' family home when they were alone in a downstairs room. The older sister, then about nine, was digitally penetrated, while the younger sister, then about seven, was touched inappropriately. The court, bound by the legislation in force at the time, imposed consecutive sentences and, after considering mitigation, set a headline sentence of one year and two months, reduced to reflect the defendant's youth. The man had a prior conviction for child pornography, for which he received a suspended two‑year sentence in the late 2010s. The victims' impact statements were read, and the defendant apologized and pleaded guilty early. The judge noted the breach of trust, age disparity, prior conviction and victim impact as aggravating factors.
The trial of four accused persons regarding the murder of Ashling Murphy continues before the Central Criminal Court. Jozefina Grundzova and Viera Gaziova, who have pleaded not guilty to charges under the Criminal Law Act 1997, are alleged to have assisted in burning clothing to impede the prosecution of Jozef Puska. Marek Puska and Lubomir Puska Jnr, also pleading not guilty, face charges under the Offences Against the State, Amendment Act 1988 and the Criminal Law Act 1997 for allegedly withholding information about Puska's return home with injuries and his subsequent travel to Dublin. Evidence presented includes testimony from Detective Sergeant Anthony Quinn, who described sifting fireplace ashes at the family home in Mucklagh, Co Offaly, for forensic evidence of burned clothing, though nothing of note was found. Witness Jenna Stack testified to seeing Murphy struggling with a man near Cappincur Bridge on January 12, 2022, describing her as "kicking out really hard" while the man appeared angry at being interrupted. The matter is currently at the trial stage and has not been finalised; it remains ongoing before Ms Justice Caroline Biggs and a jury.
Joseph Doyle, a 68-year-old pensioner from Monkstown, Co Dublin, appeared at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court on appeal regarding his conviction for possession of child sexual abuse material. Doyle pleaded guilty to possessing child pornography on May 27, 2019. The court heard that Garda Online Child Exploitation Unit officers seized two laptops, two external hard drives, and a desktop PC from his home. A total of 954 images were identified, including 220 in the most serious category, 580 depicting child exposure, and 216 anime images. Doyle admitted to gardai that accessing the material became a "challenge" due to its difficulty to obtain. He expressed remorse and noted his co-operation, including providing passwords and making admissions after caution. Defence counsel Justin McQuaid BL highlighted Doyle's lack of previous convictions, his early guilty plea, and the absence of any distribution or sharing of the material. Judge Martin Nolan, noting the Court of Appeal precedents favouring non-custodial sentences in the absence of aggravating factors like distribution, handed Doyle a two-year sentence. This sentence was suspended in full on strict conditions. The judge acknowledged the time elapsed since the offence and Doyle's efforts towards rehabilitation, while noting the public odium associated with the crime.
In a decision issued by the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) on 22 May 2025, adjudication officer Breiffni O'Neill dismissed six employment rights complaints filed by Maureen McHugh against her employer, the Tallaght Probation Project trading as Deonach. McHugh, a tutor earning €2,400 a month for a 19‑hour week, had alleged breaches of the Employment Equality Act 1998, the Terms of Employment (Information) Act 1994 and the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005. The hearing was scheduled for 9:30 am on 30 April at Lansdowne House, Dublin 4. McHugh arrived at 10 am, 30 minutes late, after having called the WRC reception at 9:30 am to explain a 10‑minute traffic delay. The officer waited until 9:50 am, then proceeded with the hearing without McHugh's evidence, noting that the employer's representative and two witnesses were present.
In a case heard in November, a 15‑year‑old boy who drove on the wrong side of the M50 and rammed a Garda patrol car was remanded on continuing bail until January. He pleaded guilty to reckless endangerment, assault, unlawful use of a car, dangerous driving and damaging a Garda vehicle. Detective Garda Kate Gilligan's victim impact statement described the danger he posed to himself and other road users, noting her hand was broken when the car door closed on her. Judge Orla Crowe, acknowledging the boy's significant improvement over the past year, adjourned the case to January 12 to allow him to continue his work with the Probation Service. The teenager expressed remorse, thanked the judge, and confirmed his willingness to cooperate with the court and probation. The court noted his cooperation, early guilty plea, and genuine remorse, and that he had not reoffended since his release.
Karl Finnegan, 41, was found by Gardaí with €230,860 in cash and five Rolex watches during a search of his Dublin home on 16 September. The watches, valued at about £89,000, were sent to the UK for expert analysis. Finnegan pleaded guilty to possession of the proceeds of crime and was sentenced by the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to four years' imprisonment, backdated to his arrest, with the final 12 months suspended. He must remain under probation supervision for 12 months post‑release, stay drug‑free, undergo random drug testing and participate in treatment programmes. Finnegan, who has five children and a history of drug addiction, was described by the judge as an "important cog" in assisting a criminal organisation. The court noted the cash and watches were likely proceeds of crime, though Finnegan claimed the cash was his and the watches were second‑hand. The sentence reflects the seriousness of the offence and the mitigating factors presented.
Glen Ward (32) and his brother Eric O'Driscoll (23) were further sentenced on 21 May 2025 for violent disorder and related offences committed in 2022. Both pleaded guilty to violent disorder at Cardiffsbridge Road, Finglas West on 9 August 2022 and to producing a bicycle saddle during a dispute at Dunnes Stores. They also pleaded guilty to possessing a .223 calibre Remington AR‑15 semi‑automatic rifle on 1 January 2022, with circumstances suggesting unlawful use. Ward received a six‑year, three‑month Special Criminal Court sentence, with the final nine months suspended; O'Driscoll received a six‑year sentence, with the final year suspended. In addition, Ward was given an 18‑month suspended sentence for violent disorder, while O'Driscoll received a two‑year sentence with the final 18 months suspended. Judge Elva Duffy noted the sentences were mandatory consecutive terms and banned O'Driscoll from driving for ten years.
Conor Stewart, 31, of Kilcross Court, Sandyford, Dublin 18, was found in possession of €280 worth of cocaine during a car stop on the Dundrum Bypass on 9 April 2022. He pleaded guilty at Dún Laoghaire District Court to a Section 3 offence under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1977, and was charged under Section 27(1) of the same Act, as amended by the Misuse of Drugs Act 1984. Garda Brian Gallagher reported that Stewart was a nervous passenger when the vehicle was stopped in the early hours, leading to a search that uncovered the drug. Stewart has 84 prior convictions, including 12 for drug offences, seven public order offences, theft and criminal damage. He is already serving a three‑year sentence, one year suspended, for other offences. Judge Anne Watkin added a one‑month term to run consecutively, raising his total sentence to three years and one month, with a €500 recognisance for appeal.
Leni Shanahan, a 21‑year‑old student, resigned from Spilt Milk after months of sexual harassment by a colleague in his early 30s. She said the man repeatedly asked her out, discussed sexual experiences, made comments about her appearance, and told her she was "physically aroused" by her flirting. Shanahan also claimed the shop director, Dave Meehan, repeated a remark that the harasser would become "physically aroused" by her. She filed a complaint under the Employment Equality Act 1998 with the Workplace Relations Commission, alleging discrimination by the employer, LN Ice Cream Ltd. The company denied liability, said an internal investigation found no evidence to support her claims, and offered an apology. Shanahan said she had no knowledge of a harassment policy or complaint procedure and that she had not complained before resigning. The tribunal will decide on the case.
A 35‑year‑old mechanic from Dublin, Declan Daly, was sentenced at Tallaght District Court for a 2019 incident where he allegedly drove a black VW minibus without insurance. Garda Dillon O'Malley stopped him for speeding on Old Military Road, Rathfarnham, and issued a summons after he failed to produce an insurance certificate within the statutory period. The certificate that was later provided covered garage work, not private driving, and did not cover the time of the offence. Daly claimed his employer had instructed him to take the van home for an NCT test, but the vehicle was registered in his name and no supporting documentation existed. Judge Patricia McNamara, noting Daly's 24 prior convictions—including five for driving without insurance—imposed a six‑month prison sentence suspended for two years on a €200 bond, a six‑year driving disqualification, a €600 fine, and a five‑month payment deadline.
Zachary Purcell, 36, a serial burglar with over 200 convictions, was on bail when he entered the Christ Church Deanery in Dublin 8 on 23 July 2022 during a wedding hosted by Dean Dermot Dunne. He stole an iPad, jewellery worth €2,000, and a church credit card, which he used to purchase €50 of goods. Purcell was identified through CCTV and DNA on a water bottle. He had previously pleaded guilty to a burglary at the Morgan Hotel on 9 July 2022, two weeks earlier. The court noted Purcell's long history of drug addiction and his recent rehabilitation. Judge Orla Crowe sentenced him to four and a half years' imprisonment, suspending the final 12 months under conditions. The sentence reflects the two burglaries committed while he was on bail.
A 33‑year‑old man pleaded guilty to assault causing harm to his former partner on 28 March 2021 at her Dublin home. He climbed through a window, shouted insults, grabbed the woman, threw her onto the bed, punched her up to ten times and verbally abused her while her two‑year‑old child watched. The woman suffered cut lips, bruises, jaw pain and head bumps, and later reported being unable to work for days and fearing for her children's safety. The man failed to appear for his sentencing in May 2024 and again in October 2024, citing a car breakdown. Judge Orla Crowe set a headline sentence of three years, reduced to two years and three months, taking mitigating factors into account. He is now jailed and has been in custody since his arrest two weeks ago.
Andrerson Lana, 46, a Brazilian without fixed abode, was jailed for two and a half years after pleading guilty to possessing €280,119 worth of cocaine at Dublin Airport on 4 November 2024. He admitted that he had carried the drugs in his luggage from Brazil to Amsterdam and then to Dublin, with an accomplice holding an Italian passport who helped him pass customs. Garda David Walsh explained that Lana had been pressured by loan sharks, owing just over €100,000 after friends defaulted on loans taken in his name. He agreed to transport the drugs to reduce the debt. The court accepted his full admission and cooperation, noting his lack of prior convictions and vulnerability. Judge Pauline Codd imposed a seven‑year sentence, suspending the final four and a half years on strict conditions and ordered Lana to leave Ireland within a month of release.
In a Workplace Relations Commission ruling, former Karen's Diner employee Carenin Rosa De Oliveira was awarded €796 for unpaid tips after six months of non‑payment. De Oliveira quit her Dublin O'Connell Street role, claiming the restaurant's tipping policy owed her money and that staff were uneasy about tip distribution. The restaurant admitted some amounts were owed but failed to show how they should be calculated. The adjudicator accepted De Oliveira's evidence, noting she could not give an exact figure but was seeking what she believed was due. This decision follows two earlier WRC orders directing Karen's Diner to pay over €1,200 to other staff for similar tip‑payment breaches. The total awarded to former staff now stands at €2,014. The chain, opened in 2024, markets itself as an interactive dining experience with "rude service" as part of the performance.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing, the prosecution explained that Jozef Puska's sisters‑in‑law, Jozefina Grundzova (31) and Viera Gaziova (38), burned the clothes he wore when he murdered 23‑year‑old schoolteacher Ashling Murphy on 12 January 2022. The prosecution's barrister, Sean Gillane SC, noted that the brothers Lubomir Puska Jnr (35) and Marek Puska (34) had given voluntary interviews to Gardaí two days after the murder but allegedly misled investigators by withholding information about Puska's return home with visible injuries and his admission of killing or seriously injuring a woman. The brothers are charged with withholding information under the Offences Against the State, Amendment Act 1988, while the sisters‑in‑law are charged under the Criminal Law Act 1997 for assisting in burning the clothing to impede Puska's arrest or prosecution. The trial is before Justice Caroline Biggs and a jury of twelve. Lubomir Puska Jnr pleaded not guilty. Marek Puska pleaded not guilty. Jozefina Grundzova pleaded not guilty. Viera Gaziova pleaded not guilty.
Two men, Viorel Doroscan (23) and Otniel Richardo Clejan (24), were found guilty of murdering 22‑year‑old Mahamud Ilyas after a dispute over a stolen bag of cannabis. The jury, after seven hours and 52 minutes of deliberation over four days, returned a unanimous verdict rejecting the defence's claim of self‑defence. The prosecution presented evidence that Doroscan and Clejan beat Ilyas to death, using a hammer and a fruit knife, and then disposed of his body in a wooded area on Belgree Lane, County Meath. Witnesses described Ilyas as bound, bleeding from the nose, and in pain while the accused shouted for the stolen drugs. The trial also considered the role of co‑accused Lorenzo Cantaragiu (21), who faced charges of impeding the prosecution and was found to have driven the accused and the deceased to the site. Viorel Doroscan pleaded not guilty. Otniel Richardo Clejan pleaded not guilty.
Jamie Murray, 30, known also as Jamie Kinsella, was unable to attend Cloverhill District Court on 20 May 2025 because he was hospitalised. He faces charges of unauthorised vehicle taking, assault and dangerous driving after an incident in Citywest on 12 May. The defence counsel, Alexander Langan MacDonnell, informed Judge Alan Mitchell that Murray was receiving medical treatment and requested photographs of his injuries taken upon admission to Cloverhill Prison. The judge agreed to remand Murray in custody until 4 June, citing a medical certificate, but declined to compel the prison service to release the photos, stating they were not directly relevant to the current charges. The case stems from an alleged hijacking of a milk delivery van at Carrigmore Crescent, where the driver's adult daughter was inside and later escaped from the vehicle before it crashed near Glencree, Co. Wicklow. Murray was arrested at the crash site. The court noted that the incident occurred around 3 a.m.