Michael McDonagh, 58, of Ballyfermot, pleaded guilty to stealing a handbag containing €2 from a 78‑year‑old woman outside an Applegreen service station in Dublin 8 on 9 November 2020. The victim, who had been on her way home after a doctor's appointment, was shocked and unable to give a statement. CCTV and a description of two men led to McDonagh's arrest minutes later. He was intoxicated at the time of arrest and had been a chronic alcoholic, but his lawyer said he had since undergone treatment and was now a "changed man". McDonagh had 83 prior convictions and had been homeless for 10–15 years. Judge Martin Nolan noted his remorse and the absence of violence, yet sentenced him to 15 months in prison, citing his long history of offending and homelessness. The court did not accept the claim that he had been provided housing or support workers at the time of the offence.
Shane Susa, 19, pleaded guilty to assault causing harm after striking a man with a pickaxe about ten times during an attack on July 6, 2023. The victim was taken to St James Hospital and remained there for several days. Susa, who had no prior convictions and was 17 at the time of the offence, was found to have mental health difficulties. Judge Martin Nolan, after hearing the facts, sentenced Susa to a suspended term of three and a half years, with the entire sentence suspended. He ordered Susa to pay €4,000 to the victim over three months. The court noted Susa's cooperation, remorse, and the absence of any further garda attention since the incident. The case was heard in the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
The jury in the trial of Brian McHugh, a 40‑year‑old man, continues to view a CCTV montage that the prosecution says shows McHugh's movements after the killing of Lisa Thompson, aged 52, on 9 May 2022. McHugh, who lives in Ballymun, has pleaded not guilty to the murder. In his opening speech, counsel for the Director of Public Prosecutions, Fiona Murphy SC, described Thompson's body as found inside her home with multiple stab wounds to the chest and a blind cord wrapped around her neck, and said a mixed DNA profile was found on the cord that could not exclude McHugh as a minor contributor. The prosecution has presented witness evidence that Thompson was dealing prescription drugs from her home and that her death was caused by a combination of ligature strangulation and multiple stab wounds.
Two teenage boys, aged 14 at the time of the attack, were sentenced to 32 and 26 months in detention for assault causing serious harm and violent disorder after viciously kicking and punching US tourist Stephen Termini on 19 July 2023 in Dublin city centre. Termini suffered serious brain injuries, skull, orbital and cheek fractures, and required emergency surgery to save his sight, followed by two weeks of specialist intensive care. He has ongoing cognitive issues, PTSD, constant pain, trouble sleeping, and mobility problems. Termini's victim impact statement highlighted over €103,000 in medical expenses and his desire for restitution. The court noted the attackers' actions were "vicious and unprovoked", with no weapons used, and that the injuries were foreseeable. The sentences reflect the severity of the assault and the lasting impact on Termini's life. The third boy, now 17, pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of assault causing harm and will be sentenced on 26 February.
At the High Court, counsel for Nikita Hand alleged that Conor McGregor is in breach of a court order regarding the dissemination of CCTV footage from their civil trial. Mr Justice Alexander Owens adjourned the matter to March 6 to allow time to consider an affidavit sworn by Mr McGregor. The judge had previously ordered Mr McGregor to destroy or hand over all case materials and directed him to ensure his business associate, Gabriel Ernesto Rapisarda, also refrained from sharing the footage. Hand's counsel, John Gordon SC, described Mr McGregor's affidavit as "entirely inadequate" and raised concerns about his bona fides, while reserving the right to apply to cross-examine him. Remy Farrell SC, for Mr McGregor, did not object to the adjournment. This follows a November ruling where a jury awarded Ms Hand €248,000 in damages, finding Mr McGregor liable for rape. The jury found co-accused James Lawrence not liable for the assault. The court ordered interim payments of €100,000 in damages and €200,000 in costs to Ms Hand, with the remainder stayed. The judge noted the civil trial was over and the jury had conclusively determined the verdict.
The Football Association of Ireland has reached a principle agreement with its press officer Cathal Dervan regarding a workplace rights claim. The case was scheduled to open at the Workplace Relations Commission but was adjourned. Dervan's solicitor, John Connellan, requested a four‑week postponement, noting that five weeks might be needed. Adjudication officer Brian Dalton granted the adjournment and offered six weeks to facilitate implementation. The hearing at Lansdowne House did not disclose the complaint's particulars or the statutes invoked. Dervan has served as the FAI's director of communications and public relations since 2019.
The jury in the trial of Brian McHugh, a 40‑year‑old man from Ballymun, is watching a CCTV montage that the prosecution says shows his movements near the home of Lisa Thompson, a 52‑year‑old mother of two, on the night of her murder in May 2022. McHugh has pleaded not guilty to the murder of Ms Thompson, who was found inside her home with multiple stab wounds and a blind cord around her neck. The prosecution alleges a mixed DNA profile on the cord that could not exclude McHugh as a contributor. Witnesses have testified that Ms Thompson was dealing prescription drugs from her home and that her death was caused by ligature strangulation and multiple stab wounds. The trial is proceeding before Justice Karen O'Connor with a jury of four men and eight women.
An arsonist, David Fannin, 29, was jailed for 16 months after setting fire to a house in Ballymun on 24 September 2020 while a woman and her two young children were inside. Fannin admitted he had been instructed by another man, to whom he owed money, to carry out the arson. He smashed the back door and a back window, which a child was wounded by broken glass while escaping. The court heard that the woman's ex‑partner was the co‑accused who has fled the country. Judge Martin Nolan noted the seriousness of arson and that Fannin was "inveigled" by the other man, but that he knew his actions were wrong. He was given a four‑year sentence, with the final 32 months suspended on strict conditions. The case highlighted the danger of arson and the need for punishment. David Fannin pleaded guilty.
Danny Povey, a 43‑year‑old British scaffolder living in London, was sentenced to four and a half years in prison at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court after pleading guilty to possession of cannabis for sale or supply. He was caught at Dublin Airport on 4 September 2024 with 29 kg of cannabis valued at €596,000, after customs detected anomalies in his luggage. Povey claimed he believed he was transporting gold or watches, saying he had been paid by a third party and that the suitcases were locked with combination locks. He had travelled to Thailand with his girlfriend, who was also stopped with a similar amount of cannabis. Povey had no prior convictions, cooperated with investigators, and entered an early guilty plea. The judge, citing his work history, single child, and the circumstances of the offence, imposed the custodial sentence, backdated to his September 2024 arrest.
A tribunal upheld the dismissal of Gerard Carey, a senior Dublin Airport executive, after he was sacked for gross misconduct following his arrest over allegations of theft from terminal shops. The Workplace Relations Commission rejected Carey's complaint under the Unfair Dismissals Act 1977. Carey, who had worked at the airport since 1998, was arrested on 29 June 2023 for alleged theft but was not convicted in ordinary courts. The airport argued that airside staff must maintain the highest trust and confidence, and that Carey's role as a senior executive in a highly regulated safety position made dismissal necessary. Carey's appeal, heard by Ms M, was dismissed as a rubber‑stamping of the disciplinary decision. The tribunal found that natural justice had been observed and that the complaint failed, also dismissing a secondary claim for statutory notice pay.
Gemma Greene, 27, of Bunratty Road, Coolock, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to endangerment for recklessly driving toward a Garda on the M50 on March 1 2021, forcing the officer to take evasive action. The incident, which was live‑streamed on social media, involved a car chase at junction 9 northbound. Prosecutor Maddie Grant said the State accepted the plea on the basis of recklessness. Defence counsel Gregory Murphy noted the client had not attracted Garda attention since and was experiencing personal difficulties at the time. Judge Martin Nolan set a sentencing date of March 19.
Mark Langham, a former senior executive earning €160,000 a year at Skyline View Ltd, a subsidiary of JMK Hospitality Group, has filed a complaint under the Unfair Dismissals Act 1977 claiming he was made redundant as head of operations in Ireland in June 2023. Langham alleges the redundancy was due to a "personality clash" with Sonia Kajani, the daughter of the parent firm's founder. The WRC was told that the Holiday Inn at Dublin Airport, one of JMK's four Irish hotels, had been contracted to the State's International Protection Accommodation Services as a direct provision centre for asylum seekers, a contract worth €20‑23 million a year.
David Nally, 43, of Balbriggan, pleaded guilty in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to six charges for scamming two men out of over €900,000 through a fictitious cattle and machinery scheme between 2014 and 2016. He promised to buy livestock from a bank after farm repossessions and sell them at a profit. The victims invested more than €700,000 and €218,000 respectively. Nally returned some money, but the first victim remains owed about €390,000 and the second has lost €175,000. Gardaí found he never purchased cattle from a bank; the maximum he bought was 230 animals, not the claimed 3,000. Judge Martin Nolan imposed a six‑year custodial sentence, suspended the final 18 months, and ordered Nally to hand over €300,000 to be distributed to the victims within three months. The case is now before the High Court.
Paul Craven, 55, a former manager of Daughters of Charity family centres, was sentenced to a global term of four years in prison for sexually abusing his nephew, Alan Jenkins, between 1989 and 1999. Judge Sinéad Ní Chúlacháin at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court convicted Craven of 11 counts, including sexual assault and indecent assault. The judge noted that Craven breached the trust of a vulnerable boy aged six or seven, using his position as a youth worker to groom and isolate the victim. Aggravating factors included the abuse occurring in the victim's home and the significant age disparity. Although Craven received glowing references and had no previous convictions, the judge highlighted that he did not accept guilt or express remorse. Mr Jenkins, who waived his anonymity, described the abuse as taking away his childhood and criticized a previous Tusla investigation that found his allegations unfounded. He stated that Craven continued working with vulnerable children until 2022. Defence counsel Kathleen Leader SC argued that the offences were not at the top of the scale and highlighted Craven's long history in youth work. Craven was remanded on bail following a previous hearing to sign contracts for a house purchase, which defence counsel confirmed had been completed. The matter was adjourned for the purpose of this bail arrangement prior to the final sentencing.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing on 11 February 2025, Jamie Reid, aged 33, pleaded guilty to endangerment, dangerous driving, driving without insurance and without a licence after he jumped into an idling council litter van on Parliament Street and drove it at high speed through the capital. Reid, who later admitted he was a "cokehead", drove erratically, broke red lights, and pursued by gardaí. The pursuit ended when the van crashed through a level‑crossing barrier at Sutton, striking a woman who was running and causing her leg injuries. Reid himself also suffered leg injuries. He has 39 prior convictions and was sentenced to three years and nine months' imprisonment, with a five‑year driving disqualification, and the sentence was back‑dated to July 2024. No serious injuries were reported among the gardaí involved.
In February 2025 a Tunisian man, Sami Skhiri, aged 35, was found guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court of assault causing harm and possession of a broken glass shard after he attacked a woman outside her home during a psychotic episode. He held a shard of glass to her throat, slashed her face with a 9‑cm shallow cut that did not require stitches, and continued a stabbing motion before being stopped by bystanders. Skhiri resisted arrest but was handcuffed and searched, where a scissors, a large stone and a broken shard of glass were seized. He was remanded in custody and later sentenced to three years, with the final year suspended on the condition that he leave Ireland upon release and live with his brother in Germany. The court noted his mental illness and medication lapse as mitigating factors, but stressed he must continue his treatment to protect himself and society.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, a 29‑year‑old man pleaded guilty to assault causing harm after attacking his former partner and her 15‑year‑old brother. The assault took place at the woman's home in November 2020, when the man, who had a barring order, forced entry, choked the pregnant woman, punched her, and threatened to kick her unborn child out. The victim's brother was also struck. The woman escaped through a window and reported the incident. The court noted that neither she nor her brother gave a victim impact statement and that the child has since been safely delivered. The man has ten prior convictions. He is now the sole carer of the children, who would enter State care if he were imprisoned. The judge, after considering the children's welfare, imposed a two‑year prison sentence suspended in full on strict conditions, citing the seriousness of the assault but the need to protect the children.
In a murder trial in County Meath, the State presented a case that Daniel Blanaru, 37, stabbed his partner Larisa Serban, 26, to death on 12 August 2022. Prosecutor Eilis Brennan described the relationship as turbulent, jealous and controlling, citing a violent incident on 31 July 2022 at a house in Balbriggan where Serban called emergency services. Brennan said Serban was found early that morning with heavy bleeding from a chest laceration and that a stab wound caused fatal injury to her heart, lung and aorta. She noted that Blanaru's Gardaí interview was confusing and that blood at the scene could link to him. The trial will continue before Justice Eileen Creedon and an enlarged jury. The prosecution maintains that Blanaru intended to kill or seriously injure Serban. Daniel Blanaru pleaded not guilty.
In a High Court hearing, a stay was granted on the conviction of a Dublin man, Jason Malone, who was sentenced to nine months' imprisonment for possession of cocaine and heroin in July 2022. Malone, aged 42, challenged the admissibility of forensic evidence presented by a Forensic Science Ireland employee, arguing that the certifying officer had no direct involvement in the analysis of the substances. His lawyers contended that the absence of "essential proofs" and the lack of the officer's first‑hand knowledge rendered the certificate inadmissible under the hearsay rule, thereby undermining the court's basis for conviction. The High Court, presided over by Ms Justice Mary Rose Gearty, described the case as "very interesting" and adjourned it for mention on March 11, following the grant of a stay on the conviction order. The case remains pending review of the legal issues raised by Malone's counsel.
Judge Sinéad Ní Chúlacháin rejected a probation report that described Liam McGrane, 59, as "open and honest" and at low risk of re‑offending. The judge noted that the full record of McGrane's previous convictions was not supplied to Probation Services and that the court was not satisfied with the report's assessment. McGrane pleaded guilty to two counts of robbery at Dublin hotels in December 2018 and August 2019, where he took €1,500 and €1,800 respectively from escort clients. He had earlier admitted to similar offences and had no current employment, with financial pressure cited as a factor in his past crimes. The judge sentenced him to four years' imprisonment, with the final 18 months suspended on strict conditions, and warned that any change in his circumstances could increase the risk of re‑offending.
Christine Ward, 37, and her former partner Derek Bewley, 49, were convicted of violent robbery and burglary in Artane on 2 November 2018. Ward was sentenced to eight and a half years in prison, with 18 months suspended, after a judge described the offences as "most serious". Bewley received the same custodial term. Ward appealed, arguing that her previous convictions were not violent and that a psychological report on her mental health and drug use should have been considered. Counsel also claimed Ward was a better rehabilitation candidate than Bewley. The Court of Appeal rejected the appeal, stating that the original judge had treated the offenders similarly and that no error in principle had been proven. Ward's appeal was dismissed, leaving her eight‑and‑a‑half‑year sentence intact. Derek Bewley pleaded guilty.
A 24‑year‑old man was sentenced to 15 months' imprisonment for defiling his 16‑year‑old cousin and infecting her with chlamydia after offering her cocaine. He pleaded guilty to the first offence on 9 May 2021 at a flat he shared with his mother and a second offence in July 2021 at the same location. The court heard that he was 21 when the offences were committed. The victim, who was visiting her aunt, was offered drugs and a bottle of vodka at the early hours, then taken to the defendant's flat where they had sex. She later reported the incident to Gardaí, was examined at the Rotunda, and confirmed she had chlamydia. The defendant had no prior convictions and was found to be at moderate risk of reoffending. Judge Martin Nolan noted the aggravating factor of the second offence and the victim's age, and imposed the 15‑month sentence.
Eugene O'Sullivan (62) of Dorset Street Upper, Dublin 1, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to two counts of the possession of child pornography at his home on November 19, 2018. During a previous hearing, Detective Garda Sean Harrington stated that a warrant was issued for O'Sullivan's home following confidential information, where a USB stick and a folder of printed images were recovered. The USB contained 160 images of child sexual abuse material, all described as 'category one' images, while the folder contained 170 printed images, with around 25 also described as 'category one'. O'Sullivan was cooperative with gardai and made some admission at the scene. He was not arrested until 2023, after which he made a voluntary statement and was charged. O'Sullivan's defence counsel, Fiachra Treacy BL, stated that O'Sullivan had a difficult childhood and has suffered from chronic anxiety for the past 14 years. He also noted that O'Sullivan is at a high risk of suicide and that prison would be very difficult for him. Judge Dara Hayes noted that the creation of such images involves the sexual abuse of children, an aggravating factor, and that a 'reasonably significant quantity' of images in O'Sullivan's possession fell within 'category one'. He also noted O'Sullivan's guilty plea, co-operation, and efforts to rehabilitate. However, the judge stated that a wholly suspended sentence was not appropriate in this case, as it was not at the lowest level of seriousness. He imposed an 18-month custodial sentence with the final six months suspended on strict conditions. The matter was adjourned for the purposes of appeal.
A 77‑year‑old De La Salle Brother, originally from Northern Ireland, was convicted at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court in November 2024 of five counts of sexual assault against a boy who was about 12 at the time, occurring between April and July 1991 and April and December 1992. The brother, who had been a teacher and a local GAA club member, abused the boy by touching him inappropriately while visiting the family home, sometimes bringing him to football matches and gifting him football gear. The boy tried to resist and later denied the abuse to his father. The court heard the brother's long‑term relationship with the family, his role as a trusted figure, and the boy's emotional and educational impact. Judge Dara Hayes imposed a sentence of two years and three months, with nine months suspended, and directed the brother to probation for 12 months after release. The brother accepted the verdict and will not appeal.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, Sean Howard, 38, pleaded guilty to a robbery on Dame Street on 13 April 2024. Howard, who has 151 prior convictions for theft, burglary, criminal damage, drug and traffic offences, was sentenced by Judge Orla Crowe to a headline term of six years, reduced to four and a half years with the final six months suspended. The sentence was back‑dated to 13 April 2024 to credit time spent in custody. Howard's attack on a foreign doctor was described by the judge as a "vicious, unprovoked" assault, during which he stamped the doctor's head 151 times and kicked him. The doctor suffered a swollen eye, back pain and knee pain, and was unable to use public transport for two weeks. Howard admitted the offence and expressed remorse, while the prosecution noted the victim's impact statement of fear walking around the city centre for months.
Gareth McGrath, 35, was sentenced to four and a half years in prison for a series of violent offences against his then‑girlfriend. The court heard that the couple met while attending residential addiction treatment and that their relationship quickly turned violent. McGrath pleaded guilty to assault causing harm on 29 July and 8 August 2023, to threatening to kill her on 8 August 2023, and to intimidating a person assisting Gardaí in the investigation of an offence in August 2023. He had 15 previous convictions. The victim's impact statement described repeated unprovoked assaults, a forced attempt to withdraw her Garda complaint while she was in hospital, and lasting psychological effects. Judge Pauline Codd noted McGrath's history of violence and intimidation, commended the victim's resilience, and imposed a concurrent sentence of five and a half years with the final year suspended, subject to conditions including no contact with the victim and engagement with services.
Too Tian Yng, 32, of Kuala Lumpur, was sentenced to three and a half years in prison after pleading guilty to importing €340,000 worth of cannabis into Ireland from Thailand. He admitted to smuggling the drugs at Dublin Airport on 4 June 2024, following an X‑ray of his suitcase that led to a search by customs and excise officers, who found 17 kg of cannabis. Yng claimed he had taken the suitcase from an airport in Bangkok and that he had been coerced, but he did not elaborate on the source of the coercion. He said he was scared of something or someone, but did not identify any names or sources. Yng had no prior convictions and was not known to Malaysian authorities. The court accepted that he acted as a courier, not as a criminal mastermind, and sentenced him accordingly.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, William Ryan, a 41‑year‑old Garda, was sentenced to six years' imprisonment for three counts of sexual assault and one count of false imprisonment. The offences occurred on 29 September 2020 at Aughrim Garda Station, where Ryan prevented a woman from leaving the station, sexually assaulted her on multiple occasions, and held her captive. The victim, whose identity is protected, described feeling "broken" and "degraded" during the trial and testified that Ryan's version of events was false and "badly‑written erotica." Ryan admitted guilt, resigned from the force, and had no prior convictions. Judge Elma Sheahan set a headline sentence of eight years, reduced to six years after mitigation, and backdated it to the time Ryan entered custody. The sentence reflects the breach of trust inherent in the offence. The court heard the victim's impact statement, detailing long‑term psychological harm and the effect on her family.
A Workplace Relations Commission adjudicator ordered West Wood Club CLG in Sandymount, Dublin 4, to pay €8,000 to Robert Flynn for disability discrimination and victimisation. The decision, published following an October 2024 hearing, found that the gym failed to provide reasonable accommodation for Flynn, who has a lower left leg amputation. Flynn alleged that after requesting a shower hose to wash his "bits and pieces," he was accused by staff of being vulgar and subsequently expelled. The club's general manager claimed Flynn asked to "wash his arse," a statement Flynn denied, stating he used the phrase "bits and pieces." The adjudicator noted that while some staff felt uncomfortable, Flynn was not rude or abusive, and no formal complaints were made until after his expulsion. The tribunal concluded Flynn was retaliated against for invoking his rights under the Equal Status Act 2000. The adjudicator ordered €5,000 for discrimination and €3,000 for victimisation. Additionally, a compliance direction was issued requiring the club to re-evaluate its shower facilities to ensure legislative compliance. Andrew Murnaghan of KM Solicitors LLP represented Flynn, arguing the club failed to investigate adaptation requests. The matter was concluded with this final adjudication and compensation order.
Andrew Sankey, aged 57, pleaded guilty to two counts of sexually assaulting a child between September 1996 and October 2000, when the victim was about eight or nine. The abuse occurred while the child's parents were on holiday; Sankey took the child and her brother to a B&B, then forced the child to touch his penis and later digitally penetrated her under the pretext of bathing her. Sankey had previously been convicted of indecent assault in the UK in 1989 and of possession of child abuse material in Ireland, for which he served six months. The complainant, now in her 30s, testified that the abuse had a deep, lifelong impact, causing anxiety, distrust and anger. Judge Martin Nolan sentenced Sankey to two and a half years' imprisonment, a reduction from the headline sentence of three and a half years. The sentence reflects the maximum five‑year term for the offence.
Ganson Building and Civil Engineering Contractors, based in Balbriggan, pleaded guilty to two counts relating to the fatal June 2019 accident at St Oliver Plunkett National School, Malahide, where worker John Joe McAfee was crushed by a falling steel structure. The company admitted failure to protect employees from risk and to coordinate safe‑working procedures. The court noted that McAfee's steel frames were unstable and unanchored, and a site engineer had left early despite a contract to supervise. Ganson subcontracted the work, and the chain of subcontractors ultimately placed McAfee on a mobile platform that collapsed. The judge, considering guilty pleas and cooperation with the Health and Safety Authority, fined Ganson €250,000, payable within six months, and expressed deep sympathy for McAfee's family, who suffered ongoing grief and financial hardship after his death.
Kian Gill, 22, of Stillorgan, Co Dublin, appeared at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court on appeal regarding an assault charge. He pleaded guilty to assaulting a teenager, causing him harm at Sutton Cross, Dublin, on July 18, 2022. Prosecution evidence, presented by Edward O'Mahony BL, described an unprovoked attack following a dispute in a takeaway restaurant. CCTV footage showed Gill kicking the victim in the head while the teenager lay on the ground, causing him to lose consciousness briefly and sustain a head cut requiring hospital treatment. Gill was identified as a person of interest following an appeal on RTE's Crimecall and was subsequently arrested. He made no admissions during his interview. Judge Martin Nolan had previously revoked Gill's bail and remanded him in custody for two days pending sentence. Today, the Judge handed down a sentence of two years, which was suspended on a number of conditions. The court noted that Gill would return to custody if he breached any of these conditions. Gill, who has no previous convictions, is currently living in a hostel and working as an apprentice carpenter. His defense counsel, Vanessa Frawley BL, attributed his actions to extreme immaturity and a turbulent living situation, while acknowledging he did not strike the first blow.
A hospital worker from Tallaght has received a fully suspended three-and-a-half-year sentence after pleading guilty to possession of drugs for sale or supply at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. Daniel O'Neill, aged 40, admitted the offence relating to an incident on 12 November 2023 at Pinewood Park, Tallaght. The court heard that while hungover, O'Neill had given his cousin a lift to Cabra, where four suitcases containing €360,000 worth of cannabis and cocaine were placed in his vehicle. Upon detecting the smell of cannabis during the return journey to Tallaght, O'Neill realised what had occurred. Two suitcases were transferred to another car under garda surveillance, resulting in O'Neill's arrest within metres. The remaining cases were found to contain €138,568 of cocaine. His cousin and a third man, James Glynn of Claremorris, County Mayo, were also arrested. Judge Martin Nolan determined O'Neill did not merit imprisonment, considering he had been placed in an unfortunate position and had received no payment.
Alan McCabe, 26, pleaded guilty to possession of drugs for sale or supply at a house in Ballymun. He was found with €9,886 of cannabis and drug paraphernalia, though he did not live there and was not responsible for other drugs seized. McCabe had no prior convictions and had quit drug use five years earlier, remaining drug‑free. He has spoken publicly about his negative drug experiences and has shown remorse, submitting an apology letter and a probation report indicating low reoffending risk. The court noted his rehabilitation efforts and the absence of a prior criminal record. Judge Pauline Codd imposed a headline sentence of four years but ultimately sentenced McCabe to two and a half years in prison, suspended in full for three years. The decision reflected the significant drug value and the mitigating factors of his rehabilitation.
Cezary Halicki, 22, of Balbriggan, pleaded guilty in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to possession and distribution of child pornography. In April and December 2022, he was found with 12 videos depicting children aged 10 to 14 engaged in sexual activities, and he had forwarded these videos to others on four occasions. Garda Stephen Murphy explained that the case began when the US National Centre for Missing and Exploited Children alerted authorities to a suspicious video, leading to an IP trace to Halicki's home and a warrant for a December search. The search seized a laptop and three mobile phones, revealing 16 videos and messages in which Halicki expressed a desire for younger victims. A psychological report concluded he is not attracted to children. Judge Martin Nolan, noting Halicki's lack of prior convictions, education, and remorse, sentenced him to two years' imprisonment suspended for two years, imposed one year of probation supervision, and ordered his placement on the sex offenders register.
Ryan Jennings, a 30‑year‑old British man from Durrow, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to possession of a controlled drug after a customs officer noticed him acting suspiciously at Terminal One, Dublin Airport, on 24 August 2024. He was found with a large black suitcase containing 32 vacuum‑sealed bags of cannabis valued at €320,100. Jennings admitted that the death of his son in 2022 had led him to heavy drinking and a £15,000 debt, and that he had burned out his work van to try to clear that debt. He claimed the job of transporting cannabis was a "foolish venture" to escape his financial troubles. The court heard his cooperation, early guilty plea, lack of prior convictions and the family tragedy as mitigating factors.
The jury that had been sworn to hear the murder trial of Brian McHugh, a 40‑year‑old accused of killing Lisa Thompson, was discharged by Justice Karen O'Connor after an issue arose. The jury, composed of eight men and four women, had been sworn in earlier this week and the case had opened the following day. Justice O'Connor thanked the jurors for their service and announced that a new panel would be sworn in at the Central Criminal Court on Monday. The trial remains ongoing. Brian McHugh pleaded not guilty.
Calvin Dunne, 24, was convicted of the manslaughter of Dylan McCarthy and violent disorder following a trial at the Central Criminal Court. The jury returned a 10-2 majority verdict for manslaughter and a unanimous guilty verdict for violent disorder, acquitting Dunne of murder. Dunne had pleaded not guilty to all charges, alleging self-defence during a melee outside a pub in Monasterevin on August 21-22, 2022. Co-accused Sean Kavanagh, 26, pleaded guilty to assault causing harm on Eamon McCarthy, with a charge of violent disorder taken into consideration. Following a defence application, Ms Justice Biggs directed the jury to find Kavanagh not guilty of murder, a charge he had denied. After the verdicts, Ms Justice Biggs remanded Dunne in custody, rejecting his request to remain on bail. Kavanagh was permitted to continue on bail. The matter was adjourned to May 12 to allow time for the preparation of probation reports for both defendants, a Governor's report for Dunne, and Victim Impact Statements from the McCarthy family.
Eamon McCarthy, father of the deceased, testified that he and his son Dylan went to Monasterevin to celebrate a grandchild's birth. After leaving a pub, a melee outside the Bellyard pub escalated. The prosecution alleged that Sean Kavanagh punched Dylan and Calvin Dunne kicked Dylan's exposed head, causing Dylan's death. Both accused denied kicking Dylan and claimed they were defending themselves, asserting that Dylan and his father were the aggressors. The court heard Eamon's account of the fight, his injuries, and the subsequent ambulance transport. Witnesses described a chaotic scene with multiple punches and a kick. The prosecution's case focused on the alleged kick by Dunne as the fatal blow, while the defence argued uncertainty over which blow caused the fatal injury and the legitimacy of self‑defence. The trial concluded with the jury given options of murder, manslaughter or acquittal, but the article reports no verdict.
The murder trial of Brian McHugh, 40, is ongoing at the Central Criminal Court before Justice Karen O'Connor and a jury. McHugh, of Ballymun, Dublin 11, has pleaded not guilty to the alleged murder of Lisa Thompson, 52, at Sandyhill Gardens on May 9, 2022. Prosecution counsel Fiona Murphy SC outlined that Ms Thompson's body was found with multiple chest stab wounds and a window blind cord around her neck. A mixed DNA profile on the cord could not exclude McHugh as a minor contributor. Witness Sandra McMahon testified that Ms Thompson dealt prescription drugs, including Zimovane, from her home and had given a neighbour €20,000 to hold in case of a Garda raid. Chief State Pathologist Dr Linda Mulligan stated the cause of death was a combination of ligature strangulation and eleven stab wounds to the left chest, including six penetrating the heart. She noted it was impossible to determine which injury occurred first or if both were inflicted by the same person. Detective Garda Janette O'Neill reported the property was ransacked with no signs of forced entry. The trial continues tomorrow.
Martin Hayes, aged 34, was convicted of manslaughter for the 2017 death of Amadea McDermott, aged 27, after a domestic‑violence relationship. He was found not guilty of murder by a majority verdict in the Central Criminal Court. Hayes admitted using violence against McDermott and was sentenced to 12 years and six months' imprisonment. He appealed, arguing that evidence from a subsequent partner, Niamh Higgins, was highly prejudicial. Higgins had testified that Hayes had helped her stab herself and that she feared he might be released on bail. Hayes' counsel claimed this evidence should have led to a jury discharge, while the prosecution contended it was irrelevant and outweighed by other evidence. The Court of Appeal will decide the appeal at a later date.
The jury in the trial of 24‑year‑old Calvin Dunne, charged with the murder of 29‑year‑old Dylan McCarthy outside the Bellyard pub in Monasterevin, has been informed that a majority verdict is now permissible. The case, heard at the Central Criminal Court, involves an incident on 22 August 2022 in which McCarthy was struck on the head by Dunne, who claims he was acting in self‑defence. Witnesses described a "loud thud" when McCarthy was hit, and the State alleges that Dunne delivered a punch and a "vicious kick" to the head. Dunne denies the murder charge and has pleaded not guilty to violent disorder on 21 August 2022. Justice Caroline Burns explained that the jury can now return a ten‑to‑two majority verdict if unanimity cannot be achieved, and the deliberations will continue for a further 30 minutes before the next day's session. The jury remains at its fourth day of deliberation.
In February 2025 the Court of Appeal increased the sentence of Paul Clarke, 42, who had previously been convicted 115 times. Clarke, who had been released on bail for a robbery, later robbed a Lidl on Malahide Road on 13 November 2019, firing a handgun into the ceiling and threatening the manager. The original six‑year term, set by Judge Orla Crowe in October 2023, was deemed too lenient. The appeal judge, Mr Justice Brian O'Moore, imposed a new headline term of nine and a half years, reduced to seven years and one month after mitigation. Five months of the effective sentence were suspended for four years to encourage Clarke to avoid drug use. The new term will run from the date of the original hearing. The decision was based on CCTV evidence of the shooting, the threat to staff, and Clarke's extensive criminal history.
Stephen Geoghegan, 35, of Neilstown Park, Clondalkin, was jailed for money laundering after a search of his home revealed €85,520 in cash, a jet ski, a van, a luxury watch, sterling, and a bag of €63,000 wrapped in cling film. He pleaded guilty to possession of the cash on November 1, 2023, claiming ignorance of its source. Geoghegan, who receives social welfare and has no prior convictions, cooperated with Gardaí and admitted the money was his, though he would not disclose its origin. The Gardaí had confidential information that led to the search. Judge Martin Nolan accepted Geoghegan's lack of previous convictions and his cooperation, but noted he held the money on behalf of a criminal organisation. He imposed a headline sentence of five years, reduced to a custodial term of two and a half years, and forfeited the seized items to the State. The case remains at the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
The body of Lisa Thompson, aged 52, was discovered inside her home in Sandyhill Gardens, Ballymun, with multiple stab wounds to the chest and a window blind cord wrapped around her neck. A mixed DNA profile was found on the cord, indicating that Thompson could not be excluded as a major contributor and the accused, Brian McHugh, could not be excluded as a minor contributor. Gardai recovered jewellery linked to Thompson from McHugh's home and found her medication and house keys during a search of the wasteland. CCTV footage shows a Hyundai Tucson, owned by a named woman, arriving at the scene, with McHugh exiting the vehicle and later returning to refuel it. The prosecution will present evidence of a neighbour's testimony, CCTV, DNA, and forensic findings, while McHugh has pleaded not guilty to Thompson's murder. The trial is set to continue before Justice Karen O'Connor and a jury.
The jury in the Central Criminal Court trial of Calvin Dunne, 24, has continued its deliberations for a third day. Dunne, of Monasterevin, Co Kildare, has pleaded not guilty to the murder of Dylan McCarthy, 29, on or about August 22, 2022, and to violent disorder on August 21, 2022, at Dublin Road, Monasterevin. The State alleges Dunne punched and kicked McCarthy in the head while he was on the ground. Dunne maintains he acted in self-defence, claiming he lightly kicked McCarthy in the chest. Eyewitness David O'Neill testified that he heard a loud thud and saw McCarthy's eyes roll back after being struck in the head, though he admitted being highly intoxicated and acknowledged it was possible Dunne hit the chest. Ms Justice Caroline Biggs directed the jury that they could find Dunne guilty of murder, guilty of manslaughter, or not guilty. In a separate matter, co-accused Sean Kavanagh, 26, pleaded guilty to assault causing harm on Eamon McCarthy, the deceased's father, at the same location and date. A charge of violent disorder was taken into consideration. Kavanagh had previously denied a charge of murder, to which Ms Justice Biggs directed the jury to find him not guilty. The jury, comprising ten men and two women, was requested to review the transcript of O'Neill's evidence and will continue deliberating tomorrow.
Irene Cahill, aged 69, was sentenced to 15 months in prison after pleading guilty to three counts of possession of large quantities of cannabis. The drugs, valued at about €68,800, were found under her bed in her Clondalkin home during a Garda raid on 16 June 2023. Cahill admitted she had taken small portions and handed them out, claiming she was holding the cannabis for a family member who owed a drug debt of €7,000. She said she had been in possession for about four weeks and that this was her first offence. Cahill has no prior convictions but has a long history of drug addiction, having been on methadone since 1990. The judge noted her age and lack of previous convictions, and considered her cooperation with the investigation, before imposing the 15‑month sentence.
Osama Sarhan, 27, of Belvedere Place, Dublin, pleaded guilty to aggravated burglary and assault on two women on 11 February 2024, and to two further burglaries on 14 February 2024. He broke into a woman's apartment while she and her roommate slept, entered the bedroom armed with a knife, and struck one woman, who was taken to hospital with severe hand injuries. The knife was later found discarded under a car. Sarhan was arrested three days later after smashing a window with a tree branch at another burglary scene. He also broke into the Cassidy Hotel, smashing a window and stealing a till worth €300. In court, the judge accepted his guilty plea and mitigating circumstances, including drug use and a difficult period, and imposed a five‑year prison sentence with the final 12 months suspended on strict conditions for rehabilitation.
Raymond McGuire, 40, pleaded guilty to assault causing harm, criminal damage and harassment after breaking into his former partner's home in July 2018. He entered the house, attacked the woman in her bedroom, threatened her, and later returned to smash a front‑door pane and punch her. He also sent 54 abusive WhatsApp messages. The court heard that McGuire had been drinking and was in a heightened emotional state. A victim impact report was submitted but not read. Judge Martin Nolan found the incidents a severe lapse in judgment, imposed a two‑year custodial sentence, but suspended it in full and ordered McGuire to pay €4,000 to the victim. The judge stated that the payment would serve as punishment, concluding McGuire did not deserve imprisonment. The case remains at the sentencing stage.
Three men—Anthony Hickey (39), Fabio Vicente (42) and Matin Zolfaghari (34)—were found guilty of rape, oral rape and sexual assault against a woman who was recorded repeatedly saying "no" during the attack. The offences took place on 31 August 2019 at an unknown location in a car and in a Dublin house. The jury, after 13 hours of deliberation, returned guilty verdicts on six of the seven charges. Hickey was convicted of rape, oral rape and sexual assault; Vicente of two counts of rape; and Zolfaghari of oral rape. The men pleaded not guilty to the remaining counts. The judge remanded all three men in custody, adjourned the case for sentencing to 10 March and directed the preparation of a victim impact statement. The complainant was present at the verdicts and the court heard her testimony of being drugged, of memory gaps and of being raped twice in a car and once in a house.