In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, Francis Broughan, 47, was jailed for eight years after pleading guilty to unlawfully seizing a vehicle in August 2022. Broughan, who had 56 prior convictions and was on bail, had earlier hijacked an octogenarian's car by holding an object to the driver's neck. He then stole a Skoda belonging to a mother and her 10‑month‑old baby, leaving the infant face down on the side of a busy road. The baby's seven‑year‑old brother ran to the family home to alert his mother. Paramedics checked the infant on scene and found no further medical need. The judge, Elva Duffy, noted the seriousness of the offence, the trauma to the victim and the vulnerability of the child, and imposed the eight‑year term. The court also heard Broughan's statements of remorse and his history of drug addiction. The sentence reflects the judge's concern over the harm caused and the offender's personal circumstances.
Raphael Gilmore, a 53‑year‑old solicitor from Dundela Haven, Sandycove, Dublin, pleaded guilty in the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to possession of false instruments between August 2017 and November 2018 and to theft in July 2016, having stolen €28,000. An audit by the Law Society in 2017 revealed a deficit in a client account; Gilmore responded by forging an accountancy document and a bank statement, which the court found to be obvious forgeries. Four clients had given him money to pay stamp duty, but he retained the cash to cover the shortfall and never paid the duty. He claimed he was "in dire straits" and that his mismanagement and inability to run his practice led to the offences. The judge described the acts as "acts of desperation", noted Gilmore's lack of prior convictions and remorse, and imposed a two‑year suspended sentence on strict conditions, with no immediate custodial term.
Yannick Kamina, 38, of Rathmines, pleaded guilty in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to possession of child pornography after admitting he sent a 54‑second video of a child engaging in a sexual act with an adult male to a group of acquaintances as a warning. The court found his explanation to Gardaí implausible and noted that such a video was unnecessary to raise awareness of the dangers of child sexual abuse. Kamina had no prior convictions and was fully cooperative, providing passwords and accepting that he should not have sent the video. Judge Orla Crowe refused a request to apply the Probation Act, deeming the offence too serious, and imposed an 18‑month sentence, which she suspended in full. The case stemmed from Gardaí receiving information about the video in February 2018, tracing it to an IP address in Rathmines and Kamina's Facebook account, and securing a warrant to search his home.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing on 19 May 2025, Frienna Rockett, 29, pleaded guilty to careless driving causing serious bodily harm after she broke a red light at a pedestrian crossing on St Peter's Road, Crumlin, and struck an 81‑year‑old woman who was walking her dog. The victim suffered a brain bleed, fractures to her legs, pelvis and clavicle, and a dislocated shoulder, requiring intensive care and rehabilitation. She now lives with constant pain, uses a walking aid and mobility scooter, and relies on her son for care. Rockett, who had no prior convictions, was driving a Volkswagen Golf at about 12:30 pm, did not speed, tested negative for alcohol, and had valid insurance. CCTV and dashcam footage showed the red‑light violation; Rockett claimed she was looking for her sister's house.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, Christopher Dooris, aged 38, was sentenced to four years' imprisonment, with the final 18 months suspended, after pleading guilty to possession of a controlled drug for sale or supply. The case stemmed from a July 27, 2022 Garda search of his Rathmines apartment, where investigators found €18,084 of ketamine and over €7,200 in cash, along with his passport. Dooris was not present during the search, and no evidence was obtained from his interview. He has 36 prior convictions, including drugs, public order and road traffic offences, and a previous conviction for cocaine possession for sale or supply, for which he had been ordered to carry out community service. The judge cited his guilty plea, efforts at drug counselling and mental‑health support, and his stable family situation as mitigating factors, reducing the headline six‑year sentence to four years. The suspended portion is subject to conditions set by the court.
A 48‑year‑old woman, Olesja Hertova of Hastings Lawn, Balbriggan, admitted to unlawfully killing her partner, James Ryan, in North County Dublin last year. She pleaded guilty to manslaughter on 11 August 2024 and was arraigned today at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. She began crying when the charge was read and pleaded guilty. Her barrister, Bernard Condon SC, requested the earliest sentencing date. Judge Orla Crowe remanded her in custody for sentencing on 3 July 2025.
The trial has commenced at the Central Criminal Court for four individuals accused of impeding the investigation into the murder of Ashling Murphy. Ms Justice Caroline Biggs swore a jury to hear the case, which is expected to last up to five weeks. The defendants are Jozef Puska's brothers, Marek and Lubomir Puska, and their respective wives, Jozefina Grundzova and Viera Gaziova. All four have pleaded not guilty. The brothers are charged under the Offences Against the State, Amendment Act 1988 with withholding information. It is alleged they failed to tell An Garda Síochána that Jozef Puska returned home to Mucklagh on the night of January 12, 2022, with visible injuries and admitted to "cutting" a female with a knife. They are also alleged to have known he travelled to Dublin that night. Marek Puska is further alleged to have been aware of an arrangement to burn clothing worn by Jozef Puska. The women are charged under the Criminal Law Act 1997 with assisting in burning clothing between January 12 and 14, intending to impede the apprehension or prosecution of Jozef Puska. The prosecution alleges the defendants knew or believed the withheld information or actions might assist in securing the conviction of Jozef Puska for a serious offence. Jozef Puska was previously tried and convicted of Ms Murphy's murder. The trial will begin with an opening statement by the prosecution.
A 24‑year‑old man, Brian Ibe, was sentenced to life in prison for the murder of 65‑year‑old Peter Kennedy, a retired probation officer who had taken Ibe and his mother into his home after learning of their homelessness. The Central Criminal Court jury rejected Ibe's defence of not guilty by reason of insanity and convicted him of both the murder and an assault on Garda Brendan O'Donnell. Ibe was found to have schizophrenia by two psychiatrists, though a prosecution psychiatrist disagreed. The jury deliberated for just under seven hours and returned a unanimous guilty verdict. Justice Melanie Greally imposed a mandatory life sentence for the murder, back‑dated to Ibe's custody on 29 April 2020, and a 12‑month prison term for the assault on the Garda. The victim's sister delivered a moving impact statement describing Kennedy as a thoughtful, charitable and generous man who suffered a cruel and terrifying end.
Rachel Redmond was sentenced to four years in prison at the Central Criminal Court for attempting to impede the apprehension of Wayne Cooney, who was convicted of the 2019 murder of Jordan Davis. A jury had previously found Redmond guilty of two counts of assisting Cooney to avoid capture by driving him from the scene and paying for a hotel room. Mr Justice Paul Burns noted that while the maximum penalty is ten years, Redmond's actions fell in the "upper end of middle range." He set a headline sentence of six years on each count, reduced to five years to run concurrently, and suspended the final year for three years. Redmond, who had pleaded not guilty, stated she would be home soon. The court also noted that Robert Redmond, Rachel's brother, pleaded guilty in April 2024 to conspiring with Cooney to murder Davis and was sentenced to seven years. Cooney was convicted of the murder in 2022. The judge rejected defence arguments that Redmond was merely "blinded by the relationship," stating she deliberately assisted Cooney to "lie low" after the execution-style killing in Darndale.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, 47‑year‑old builder Francis Halpin pleaded guilty to three offences stemming from a garden shed dispute. He admitted producing a Samurai‑style sword and causing criminal damage at the neighbour's house on 20 November 2021, and to abusive behaviour in a public place after waving a hammer on 7 July 2021. The incidents involved verbal and racial abuse, a threat of violence, damage to a front door and a van windscreen costing €200. Halpin, who suffers from a rare back condition and uses a wheelchair, had no prior convictions except two minor traffic offences. The judge, citing mitigating medical circumstances, imposed a two‑year sentence suspended in full, noting the behaviour was irrational and threatening but not warranting imprisonment. The victims have since moved house.
Dean Howard, 33, of Rathfarnham, Dublin 14, was sentenced at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court after pleading guilty to assault causing harm to a male victim on July 10 and 11, 2022. The court heard that Howard entered his ex-girlfriend's home uninvited and assaulted her new partner while they were in bed. He also brandished a pint glass, used abusive language, and followed the victims in his car. Although initially facing additional charges including harassment, the DPP accepted a guilty plea to assault causing harm on a full facts basis. Judge Orla Crowe noted the severe impact on the victims and described Howard's behavior as abusive and disrespectful. Considering mitigation, including Howard's lack of previous convictions, his remorse, and personal circumstances, the judge imposed an 18-month prison sentence, suspended for three years. Howard was also directed to have no contact with the female victim for three years and ordered to pay €2,500 to a women's refuge in Dublin. The matter was finalized with this sentence.
An appeal has been heard in relation to the convictions of Andrew Noonan and Keith Quinn for their roles in a €2.769 million heroin importation enterprise. Andrew Noonan, a former football manager and League of Ireland player, was convicted of three drugs offences in relation to the possession, sale and supply of heroin at Rosemount Business Park, Dublin 11, on August 5, 2020. He was also convicted of possession of a phone with an encrypted application, Enigma, giving rise to a reasonable inference that it was to be used in connection with a drug trafficking offence. He was acquitted of possession of a signal blocker. Noonan denied any role in the drugs and claimed he was facilitating a friend in relation to storage of equipment for a sick child. Keith Quinn, a former professional footballer, pleaded guilty in relation to his own role and received a seven and a half year sentence with the final three and a half years suspended in 2021. This was later increased by the Court of Appeal to eight years imprisonment with 18 months suspended. Quinn gave defence evidence during Noonan's trial that Noonan had no responsibility for the drugs and that he had lied to Noonan about the parcel contents when he asked to use the office for storage. Quinn's sentence hearing heard how he became involved in the offence due to gambling debt, that he was under pressure and was carrying out the offence to get himself out of debt. The matter was adjourned.
In a case heard in the District Court Appeals Court, a woman who had breached a safety order by locking her then‑partner out of their home and using threatening language was found guilty of violating the Domestic Violence Act 2018. She had originally received a two‑month custodial sentence. On appeal, Judge James O'Donohoe suspended that sentence for two years, ordering the woman to maintain peace and attend an alcohol treatment centre recommended by the probation service. The defendant, whose name is withheld, pleaded guilty and has struggled with alcohol addiction.
A District Court judge in Tallaght refused jurisdiction over a case involving Abbie Kinsella, a 20‑year‑old from The Green, Earl's Court, Kill, Co. Kildare, who was charged with a phone scam that allegedly defrauded a man of more than €16,000. Kinsella was living in Dublin at the time of the alleged offence and was arrested and charged there. Garda O'Connor explained that the victim received a text message purporting to be from the Eir mobile network, warning that his phone service would be cancelled unless he paid an outstanding bill. Believing the message to be genuine, the man provided his banking details, and later discovered that more than €16,400 had been withdrawn from his account. Garda O'Connor stated that €4,900 was allegedly transferred into Ms Kinsella's Revolut account. Ms Kinsella is charged with an offence under Section 7(1) of the Criminal Justice (Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing) Act 2010.
Ian Barry, 44, of Dublin 14, pleaded guilty to coercive control covering 2019‑2022. He verbally abused his wife, calling her names such as 'Adolf' and 'liar', and physically assaulted her by throwing objects, including a toilet roll, a TV remote, an office chair and a finger jab. Barry also exercised financial control, demanding she account for every penny, limiting her spending on a bank card, and insisting she use her part‑time income for groceries. He monitored her movements, using a Ring doorbell camera 32 times in one day after their separation, and observed her from a window while she worked from home. The court heard that he sometimes offered apologies but resumed abusive behaviour. Judge Martin Nolan sentenced him to a three‑year suspended term, citing mitigating factors and his good record, and warned that future harassment would lead to court action. The sentence was suspended on conditions. The victim's impact statement was not read aloud.
In the Central Criminal Court, jurors are deliberating a murder case involving Viorel Doroscan (23) and Otniel Richardo Clejan (24), who deny killing 22‑year‑old Mahamud Ilyas on 9 December 2022. The State alleges the men sold drugs and beat Ilyas after a dispute over a stolen cannabis bag, while the accused claim self‑defence after Ilyas entered an apartment with a weapon. Ilyas's body, found at Belgree Lane, Co Meath, shows blunt‑force head trauma typical of hammer blows. The jury, consisting of seven men and five women, has spent five hours and 35 minutes over three days and will resume on Tuesday. The judge explained that a verdict of murder requires proof of a joint enterprise to cause serious harm, while manslaughter could result if the death was due to unlawful assault without intent. The case also involves co‑accused Lorenzo Cantaragiu, who faces charges of impeding the prosecution and has pleaded not guilty.
Amy McAuley, 35, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to using a false instrument by submitting a false death notification form to Wexford County Council on January 19, 2023. She also admitted attempting to pervert the course of justice on January 23, 2023, and forging a medical report on November 23, 2022. The court heard that McAuley faked her death to avoid attending trial for prior theft and fraud offences. Judge Orla Crowe described the matter as complex and directed Probation Services to prepare a risk assessment report. The case was adjourned to October for finalisation. Defence counsel Rebecca Smith BL noted McAuley is now living in Dublin and successfully applied to change the Garda station where she must sign on twice weekly. Judge Crowe granted this application and remanded McAuley on continuing bail. The court also noted that the Director of Public Prosecutions had previously appealed a 2015 sentence of two years, suspended for ten years, for theft of nearly €111,000, citing undue leniency. The Court of Appeal declined to alter that sentence but extended the repayment period to seven-and-a-half years, with the balance still outstanding.
Connor Manning, 29, a repeat offender, had his eight‑month jail sentence replaced with a fully suspended term after an appeal. He had pleaded guilty to 15 offences, including robbery, theft, assault and public order. In August 2022 he assaulted a garda with a hurley, knocking her to the ground and lifting a nail from her nail bed, and later kicked a garda patrol vehicle's number plate before being arrested. In January 2023 he threatened to kill staff at a Circle K shop on Nassau Street if they pressed the panic alarm, stole alcohol and cigarettes on several occasions, and was also charged with punching a man in Temple Bar. In August 2024 he was racially abusive and threw a pack of cider at a worker in a Tesco store on Fleet Street.
A 46‑year‑old serial offender, Stepan Pavlov, who had 93 prior convictions, had a 15‑month jail sentence for burglary in three separate incidents at Dublin restaurants replaced by a fully suspended term on appeal. The District Court had found him guilty of burglary under the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act, 2001, for stealing more than €1,000 from staff lockers at Murray's Bar on O'Connell Street on 14 July 2023, a wallet and laptop worth over €1,600 from Chequer Lane on 10 March 2023, and a purse worth €200 from a restaurant on Molesworth Street on 10 October 2023. The appeal court, hearing on 14 July 2023, granted a two‑year suspended sentence on the condition that Pavlov keep the peace, provide monthly urine analysis and stay out of the city centre without just cause. The decision was based on his rehabilitation efforts for drug addiction, as presented by his defence counsel.
Dylan Pennie, a 34-year-old air conditioning engineer from Clonshaugh, Coolock, was sentenced at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for drug-related offences. He pleaded guilty to the possession of €575,000 worth of drugs at his parents' address on May 5, 2024, and to laundering €52,320, the proceeds of criminal conduct, on the same occasion. Gardaí discovered the drugs, which included cannabis, cocaine, ketamine, MDMA, and benzodiazepine, primarily in the eaves of a converted attic, along with the cash. Pennie admitted he was holding the items to settle a €4,000 drug debt under pressure. Defence counsel Paul Murray SC highlighted Pennie's lack of prior convictions, his remorse, and his engagement with rehabilitation, requesting a departure from the mandatory minimum sentence. Judge Martina Baxter acknowledged the request for a fully suspended sentence but stated that consequences were necessary. However, she accepted that exceptional circumstances allowed her to depart from the standard minimum. She imposed a sentence of four years, suspending the final two years on specific conditions. Pennie is therefore required to serve two years of effective custody. The matter was finalised with this sentencing.
A long‑serving Aer Lingus pilot, Declan McCabe, was demoted from captain to first officer after the airline said he tried to cover up an alleged error during a training flight on 8 June 2023. McCabe claims the demotion was whistleblower penalisation and is challenging the sanction under the Protected Disclosures Act 2014, the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 and the Payment of Wages Act 1997. He alleges that the airline's operating procedures did not require a mandatory safety report to Air Nav Ireland for the incident, which involved a non‑intercept between aircraft and ground navigation systems. McCabe's lawyers argue that any disclosure he made was protected, while Aer Lingus contends the matter is still under investigation. The Workplace Relations Commission will hold hearings in autumn, with a preliminary hearing convened today and a possible resumption in September or October. The case remains at the disciplinary stage, with no final outcome yet.
A judge dismissed the charges against Jamie Shannon, 30, and Edel Doherty, 51, who were accused of identifying the teenage boys who murdered 14‑year‑old Ana Kriégel. The charges were brought under the Children Act 2001, which prohibits the identification of children who appear before the courts. The defendants applied to have the charges dismissed under the Criminal Procedure Act, specifically Section 4E of the Criminal Justice Act 1999, which bars reporting of the hearing, any evidence, and arguments. The judge, Martin Nolan, delivered the decision after a hearing that began the day before. The court's ruling can only be reported as the fact that a case was taken and the decision made, due to the reporting restrictions. The two teenage boys, aged 13 and 14 at the time, had been convicted of Ana Kriégel's murder in June 2019 and were referred to as 'Boy A' and 'Boy B' in that trial.
Michael Fitzpatrick, 47, of Tallaght, was remanded on bail pending sentencing in July after pleading guilty to possessing drugs for sale or supply. Gardaí stopped him on July 25, 2024, after spotting him driving in the middle of the road. He appeared nervous and, when told they intended to search his car, handed over a silver package he claimed was cocaine, saying he had been asked to move it for a friend. He admitted to transporting the drugs and that he would be paid €50 for moving them from point A to point B. A subsequent search of his home found no drugs or paraphernalia. The drugs were estimated to have a street value of just over €34,500. Fitzpatrick had no prior convictions and was not known to the Gardaí. He was taken into custody, remanded on continuing bail, and the case was adjourned for sentencing on July 14.
Nko Mpase, 62, of Rush, pleaded guilty in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to smuggling a Congolese national into Ireland. On 16 May 2020 she and the woman arrived at Terminal One on a Ryanair flight from Paris Beauvais, used the same immigration booth, and the woman presented a travel document that did not match her appearance. Garda Sean McGlynn noted that WhatsApp messages and a ticket photo on Mpase's phone linked the two women, and CCTV showed them together on the plane. Mpase admitted travelling with the woman from Paris but made no further admissions. She had two prior convictions for minor traffic offences and one for threatening behaviour. The court heard she had no financial gain and had visited family in Paris for five days. The maximum sentence for the offence is 10 years imprisonment. Judge Patricia Ryan adjourned sentencing to 25 July and ordered a probation report and further documentation of Mpase's educational and work history.
Graham Kinsella, 21, of Clondalkin, Dublin 2, was sentenced at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for assault causing harm. He pleaded guilty to an incident on May 19, 2024, where he allegedly kicked a teenager off an e-scooter on Liffey Street and punched him. Judge Elva Duffy described the CCTV footage as "poor and shocking viewing" and noted the attack involved a "level of lawlessness which was hard to watch." The judge characterized the act as an unprovoked "revenge mission" focused on the scooter rather than the individual. Kinsella was handed a sentence of two years, with the final six months suspended on strict conditions. Judge Duffy stated that an immediate custodial sentence was required despite mitigating factors, including Kinsella's lack of previous convictions, his guilty plea, and his efforts to address drug issues. The court noted Kinsella was not responsible for puncture wounds sustained by the victim, who was stabbed by a co-accused still before the courts. The victim made a full recovery. Defense counsel Marc Thompson-Grolimund BL highlighted Kinsella's remorse and his status as a "work in progress." The matter was finalized with this sentence.
Seán Keogh, 34, of Emmet Crescent, Inchicore, pleaded guilty to burglary at Morehampton Road, Donnybrook, on 26 December 2023. The break‑in, which took place at about 3 pm, involved the theft of a PlayStation 5, a laptop and a phone, with a total value exceeding €5,000. Keogh was charged under Section 12(1)(b) and (3) of the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act 2001. Garda Conor McCarthy testified that he was stopped shortly after the incident. Keogh has 88 prior convictions, including burglary, theft, criminal damage, public order offences, violent behaviour in a Garda station, and 31 road‑traffic offences. He had a five‑month suspended sentence for a July 2024 driving‑without‑insurance offence. Judge Anne Watkin imposed a six‑month custodial sentence, recognising €500 in the event of an appeal, bringing his total convictions to 89.
In Tallaght District Court, Melissa O'Shea, 44, pleaded guilty to a series of thefts from Dublin retailers, including clothing, alcohol, cosmetics and household goods. She admitted to stealing €103 worth of clothing from Dunnes Stores, €150 worth of cosmetics, €41 worth of alcohol, vodka from Tesco, and €68 worth of goods, among other offences. O'Shea has 47 prior convictions, 38 for theft, and is currently serving a custodial sentence that will not end until June 2026. Judge Patricia McNamara imposed an additional 10‑month prison term to run consecutively with her existing sentence, with no portion suspended. The judge noted O'Shea's extensive offending history but also her positive engagement in prison, including drug‑free status and participation in support services. The court heard she had been remanded on bail in October 2024 before being committed to custody later that month.
Dean McAuley, 34, a repeat offender with 17 prior convictions, pleaded guilty in the District Court to using threatening and abusive language and being intoxicated in a public place contrary to the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act, 1994, after drunkenly threatening and abusing staff at a Dublin Macari's chipper on 13 July 2024. He was sentenced to two months in custody, with the last month suspended. On appeal, Judge James O'Donohoe fully suspended the custodial sentence, leaving McAuley free while the suspended portion remains in effect.
A pharmacist, Marwan Al Rahbi, has lodged a complaint under the Unfair Dismissals Act 1977, claiming he was constructively dismissed from his €112,000-a-year role as a senior support pharmacist at Rathgar Pharmacy Ltd., a business owned by former TD Kate O'Connell and her husband. Al Rahbi alleges that the O'Connells subjected him to a hostile work environment, describing their treatment as "working him to the death" and citing health and mental‑health concerns as reasons for his resignation. He says he raised a formal grievance in May 2024 over several incidents, but the pharmacy denied the complaints and did not address the issues. Al Rahbi also claims that the O'Connells denied him a verbal warning, instead shouting at him and refusing to allow him to speak during a review meeting.
James Gilleran, 70, was sentenced to two years' imprisonment at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court after pleading guilty to five counts of indecent assault committed between 1983 and 1987. The court heard that Gilleran, a former scout leader, abused three boys aged 11 to 13 while in a position of trust. The offences were brought to light after one survivor recognised Gilleran on the Late Late Show in 2021, prompting formal complaints to the Garda. Judge Orla Crowe described the conduct as a gross violation of the children's bodily integrity and innocence, noting predatory behaviour including the exposure of victims to alcohol and pornography. Although Gilleran had a previous conviction for sexual assault in 1997, the judge considered mitigating factors, including his early guilty plea, good work history, and health issues, before imposing the two-year custodial sentence. The three injured parties waived their anonymity and provided impact statements detailing the lifelong psychological effects of the abuse. Gilleran's defence counsel highlighted his 30 years of offending-free life and his desire to atone. The matter was finalised with the imposition of the sentence.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, Kevin Geraghty, 31, was sentenced to three years and nine months in prison, with the final nine months suspended, for an unprovoked assault on a 25‑year‑old Spanish student. The victim, studying English in Ireland, was punched in the face after Geraghty and another man shouted homophobic slurs while he waited outside a bar on Cuffe Street in the early hours of 19 September 2024. The attack left the student with a broken jaw that required surgery. Geraghty, who has 70 prior convictions, denied shouting the slurs. The court noted the assault's homophobic overtones and the victim's financial impact. The sentence was imposed by Judge Orla Crowe, who highlighted the attack's unprovoked nature and the defendant's criminal record. Kevin Geraghty pleaded guilty.
Michael Lynn, a former solicitor aged 56, was sentenced to five‑and‑a‑half years in prison for stealing €18.1 million from six banks during the Celtic Tiger era. The Court of Appeal, led by Mr Justice John Edwards, upheld the sentence but reduced the credit for time served in Ireland by three months, leaving a final term of five years and nine months to run concurrently from 20 December 2023. Edwards noted Lynn's crimes were "cynical, knowingly and intentionally" and that his professional status was abused. He found no evidence of sincere remorse or a guilty plea, and criticised Lynn for relocating to Brazil to avoid extradition. The appeal rejected arguments that mitigating factors, including PTSD and asset recovery, had been insufficiently considered. The sentence remains unchanged if the full three‑month credit is applied.
Keith Carter, a 32‑year‑old amateur boxer and comedian with thousands of social media followers, appeared before the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court on 12 May 2025. He pleaded guilty to possession of cocaine and heroin for sale or supply at his Ballymun home on 19 September 2023 and to laundering €1,055, the proceeds of that offence. Garda Máire Ruddy reported that a search of his home uncovered €5,371 worth of drugs, including a small amount of cannabis and ecstasy for personal use. Carter admitted a cocaine addiction and that he held the drugs to pay a debt. He had five prior drug convictions in 2021, including two for sale and supply. Defence counsel Oisín Clarke highlighted Carter's family responsibilities, his work for his brother, and his role as a single father. He also noted Carter's boxing career, his knee injury, and his upcoming charity fights.
The High Court has granted leave for judicial review to an unnamed 18-year-old accused of violent disorder and assault causing harm in Dublin. The applicant, represented by James B Dwyer SC, seeks an injunction against his prosecution at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, alleging a three-year delay that prevented his access to juvenile diversion. The alleged offences occurred in February 2022 on Henry Street, Dublin 1, where the teen, then 15, is accused of participating in an altercation with a Polish man who rebuked a group of teenagers for allegedly throwing eggs at a homeless man. The applicant denied the allegations during a voluntary interview, admitting only to his presence at the scene. In April 2024, he was deemed unsuitable for juvenile diversion because he had turned 17, resulting in his referral for trial. Ms Justice Mary Rose Gearty granted the application, stating there were "certainly arguable grounds" for review. The matter remains at the pre-trial stage, with the applicant due for arraignment at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court later this month. No plea, finding, or sentence has been recorded, and the prosecution has not been concluded.
Karl Adams, 53, of Portland Street, North Circular Road, Dublin, was sentenced to five years in prison for sexually assaulting a woman in her own home in June 2019. Adams pleaded guilty in January 2025 after failing to appear for his trial in 2019, which caused a delay. The victim, who prefers to remain unnamed, described being awakened by Adams tugging at her leggings, then being sexually assaulted twice. She reported a profoundly damaging impact, losing trust in people, struggling to sleep, and experiencing constant flashbacks. A probation report placed Adams at moderate risk of re‑offending, noting a lack of insight and minimisation of his actions, and highlighted his lifelong alcohol addiction and drug abuse. Justice Melanie Greally set a headline sentence of 80 months, reduced to 70 months for the guilty plea, and suspended the final 12 months on the condition that Adams engage with the Probation Service upon release.
Rachel Redmond, 35, appeared before the Central Criminal Court for sentencing after being convicted of attempting to impede the apprehension of Wayne Cooney, who was convicted of murdering Jordan Davis. Redmond pleaded not guilty at trial but now accepts the jury's verdict. Counsel Dominic McGinn SC described her actions as "naive" and driven by a relationship with Cooney, rather than deliberate criminal intent. He highlighted her solid work record, including roles as a beautician and in security, and noted she wrote an apology to the Davis family. The court heard that Redmond helped Cooney evade arrest by driving him from the scene of the May 2019 shooting in Darndale and arranging his stay at the Clayton Hotel. Mr Justice Paul Burns adjourned the matter to next Monday to deliver sentence. The report also notes that in April 2024, Redmond's brother, Robert "Roo" Redmond, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to murder Jordan Davis. Robert Redmond, a career criminal with 99 previous convictions, received a mandatory life sentence in 2022 for the murder of Barry Wolverson in Swords in 2020.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing, Padraig Delaney, aged 44, was found guilty of murdering his friend Shane Knott, aged 37, who was discovered in a dog pen in Delaney's back garden wrapped in carpet underlay. Delaney claimed self‑defence after an alleged attack with scissors, but the jury rejected this defence. The court described the killing as brutal, with Knott suffering multiple head and brain injuries and his left face crushed. Delaney's statements about a Kinahan crime organisation sending Knott were deemed unfounded. Delaney, a former cabinet maker with a history of alcohol and substance abuse, was sentenced to life imprisonment. The judge called the murder "particularly brutal" and the treatment of the body "callous and disrespectful.".
The Court of Appeal has adjourned proceedings in the appeal against the conviction of Stephen Silver, who is serving a life sentence with a 40-year minimum term for the capital murder of Detective Garda Colm Horkan. Silver, a 48-year-old motorbike mechanic from Foxford, Co Mayo, pleaded not guilty to the murder of Det Gda Horkan, alleging he was reckless as to whether the victim was a garda acting in the course of his duty. He had previously pleaded guilty to manslaughter at Castlerea, Co Roscommon, on June 17, 2020. The jury found him guilty of murder, rejecting defences of self-defence and diminished responsibility. During the current appeal hearing, counsel for Silver stated that the legal team is unable to advance the appeal due to an impasse in obtaining crucial psychiatric disclosure from the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP). Counsel described the situation as a "brick wall" and argued that the psychiatric evidence is a critical issue, particularly regarding Silver's bipolar affective disorder. Mr Justice John Edwards noted that the coroner for County Roscommon cannot complete the inquest into Garda Horkan's death until the appeal is determined. The judge described the delay as "intolerable" for the victim's family and stated that the matter "cannot drag on." Proceedings were adjourned to a case management list on June 20, with the judge indicating that a motion could be brought if the logjam persists.
Rachael Kearney, 42, was on bail when she committed a series of offences over 20 months, from July 2023 to March 2025. The offences included shoplifting from Aldi, Tesco, Boots, Dunnes Stores, JD Sports and Lifestyle Sports, dangerous driving, setting fire to cardboard at a business premises, unauthorised vehicle use and fire damage. She pleaded guilty before Judge Patricia McNamara at Tallaght District Court. The court imposed a total of 24 months' imprisonment, the maximum that can be imposed for multiple charges in a single case, with some terms to run consecutively. Kearney also received a two‑year driving ban. She has been in custody since 28 March and will appear again at Arklow District Court on 14 May under a Section 99 warrant, where a partially suspended 10‑month sentence may be activated. She has indicated she does not intend to appeal her sentence.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, a 16‑year‑old girl who was groped by Jasmin Nasic during a grocery shop described the emotional toll of having her counselling notes handed over to the defendant's legal team. She said the assault, which involved Nasic placing his hand on her buttocks, had no precedent in her life and that the trial, prompted by his plea of not guilty, caused her stress, anxiety and sleepless nights. The court noted the case took 1,375 days from the offence to conviction. Judge Martina Baxter praised the girl's courage and urged Probation Services to assess Nasic for recidivism. Nasic, a 36‑year‑old from Lucan with no prior convictions, was found guilty of one count of sexual assault and one count of offensive conduct of a sexual nature, offences carrying maximum sentences of 14 and 2 years respectively. He will now be registered as a sex offender.
In the High Court's fourth day of the civil case against former Irish Nationwide Building Society chief Michael Fingleton, his lawyer, Niall Clerkin, argued that the case is plagued by "black holes" in documents and witness evidence. Clerkin said substantial tracts of paperwork are missing, including loan files for five property loans between 2006 and 2008 that IBRC claims caused €6 billion in losses but is now pursuing only €250 million in damages. He noted that Fingleton, aged 87 and ill‑health, cannot testify, and that only one senior staff member, Gary McCollum, remains to provide evidence, yet McCollum is too confused by the missing documents to give reliable testimony. Clerkin highlighted that no borrowers have been called by IBRC and that the critical triangle of Fingleton, McCollum and Tom McMenamin is incomplete. He urged the court to consider the lack of settled, factual documents before deciding on the case. The case continues at the High Court.
Jason Buckley, a 28‑year‑old plumber from Verschoyle Vale, Saggart, was sentenced to three years' imprisonment for endangerment after he drove at Matthew Kenny, the boyfriend of Buckley's ex‑partner, on Fairgreen, Saggart, on 21 March 2021. The incident occurred while Kenny was helping the ex‑partner move house; he saw Buckley revving his engine and then driving at him. CCTV from a neighbour's house confirmed the revving. Kenny suffered a badly sprained left wrist, cuts, bruises and lacerations, and he described living in constant fear and anxiety, taking large amounts of medication, and being unable to pursue his dream of becoming a barrister because of medical bills. Buckley pleaded guilty, had eight prior convictions, and claimed the act was not pre‑planned.
On 27 March 2024, Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard that Charlene Dwyer (35) of Corkagh Grange Avenue, Clondalkin, had hidden in a wardrobe to avoid detection by gardai who had found two stolen motorbikes in her house. She pleaded guilty to possession of stolen motorbikes. The bikes were a brand‑new model worth €11,000 and a second worth €2,000, both reported stolen. Dwyer was arrested, taken to a garda station and later sentenced by Judge Orla Crowe to one year and 11 months, with the final six months suspended.
In a case heard by the Workplace Relations Commission, Omar Mohammed Osman, a night manager at Cantarini Limited's City Quay aparthotel, was dismissed after allegations that he bullied a gay colleague, Mr D, for his sexuality. Mr D claimed Osman called him "a big homosexual" and "princess", whistled at him and mocked his accent. Osman denied the allegations, stating he had no issue with homosexuals and that the nickname referred to a female colleague. The tribunal found Osman had been "bullying and harassing a colleague in relation to their sexual orientation and race" and dismissed him. Osman later emailed the HR manager to appeal the dismissal, but the email was not responded to because the recipient had left the company. The WRC ruled that while the dismissal was reasonable, the failure to allow Osman to appeal made it an unfair dismissal, awarding him €3,000 in compensation. The case did not find any protected disclosure or safety‑related claims.
Liam Devoy, 23, was sentenced at Tallaght District Court after pleading guilty to driving without insurance, dangerous driving and possession of cannabis and cocaine. He had been disqualified from driving for four years in June 2023 and was caught driving a Volkswagen Golf on the N81 Tallaght Bypass on 7 July 2023, still disqualified and without a licence. Gardaí found small amounts of drugs in the car, and a blood sample was taken. Judge Patricia McNamara imposed a five‑month prison sentence, suspended for two years on the condition that Devoy does not drive or control a vehicle during that period. He was also disqualified from driving for an additional five years and fined €500, payable within five months. The court noted he had 17 previous convictions, including three for driving without insurance. The defence counsel highlighted his employment and impending fatherhood, but the judge warned that any future offence would lead to immediate arrest and imprisonment.
A man in his forties was remanded in custody after allegedly threatening his former partner and their young son during a domestic disturbance at a south Dublin house on the night of May 8. He was accused of breaching a safety order, shouting that he would kick the woman's head in, threaten to "kick the face off" her and her son, and that he would burn the house down, calling it "his house" because the children lived there. Garda Daragh Melinn arrested him after he resisted arrest, used handcuffs and a patrol van was called to transport him. The woman gave direct evidence at Tallaght District Court, stating she had to get her niece to take the children upstairs for safety and that one child was traumatised. The accused had three bench warrants in the past 18 months and was not intoxicated at the time of arrest.
Derek Callaghan, 65, a former army officer with a "stellar career," pleaded guilty to possession of cannabis for sale or supply on 19 January 2022. Gardaí searching his Dublin 15 home found 608 g of cannabis worth €13,608, €3,110 in cash, drug paraphernalia, a ticklist and a burner phone. Callaghan accepted responsibility for the drugs but denied selling them, claiming the cash was savings. He has one prior road‑traffic conviction. Judge Orla Crowe, after hearing evidence, imposed a headline sentence of four years but reduced it to three years, citing mitigating factors such as his age, family and unblemished record. The three‑year term was suspended for five years on strict conditions. The court noted the serious consequences of drug dealing for victims and society.
Aaron Lee Kinsella Kelly, 23, pleaded guilty in the District Court to assault under section 3 of the Non‑Fatal Offences Against the Person Act, 1997, after punching his then‑partner in the face at the Clayton Hotel, Dublin Airport, on 5 February 2024. The victim had a swollen and bruised face and claimed Kelly had accused her of flirting with another man. The District Court sentenced Kelly to one month in custody. On appeal, Judge Catherine White increased the sentence to six months imprisonment but fully suspended it for 12 months. She also ordered Kelly to pay €500 to a nearby women's refuge and to avoid the road where the victim lives. The appeal was based solely on the severity of the original sentence. No further legal actions or outcomes are mentioned in the article.
A 48-year-old Dublin man has pleaded guilty to facilitating a criminal organisation at the Central Criminal Court. Patrick Fitzgerald, with an address in Finglas, admitted to participating in activities intended to facilitate serious offences by a criminal group between November 11th and 18th, 2021. He had been initially charged with attempted murder following an incident in Ballyfermot on November 17th, 2021, but the State indicated it will not proceed with that charge. The prosecution requested a victim impact statement be prepared ahead of sentencing. Mr Justice Paul McDermott remanded Fitzgerald in custody pending his sentence hearing scheduled for May 26th.
Patrick Lynch, 50, of Rosemount Glade, Dundrum, was sentenced to six months' imprisonment by Judge Anne Watkin at Dun Laoghaire District Court for a series of burglaries. He pleaded guilty to multiple counts of burglary, theft and trespassing. On 9 January 2024 he unlawfully entered the Rosemount Resource Centre at Waldermere Terrace, stole five Samsung tablets worth €5,500 and was prosecuted under Section 4 of the Theft and Fraud Offences Act 2001. The next night, 10 January, he returned, stole additional Samsung devices and €450 in cash. Gardaí later recovered five of the stolen tablets. While on bail, he committed further offences on 29 and 30 April, including entering a property through an open window and stealing a phone and a laptop worth about €1,000. Lynch has 134 prior convictions, including 11 for theft under the 2001 Act, and a history of drug addiction and mental health difficulties.