Liudmyla Budash, 46, a Ukrainian refugee, was found with €500,000 in cash and pleaded guilty to money laundering at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court in July 2024. Judge Elva Duffy originally sentenced her to 15 months, reduced to two years, with nine months suspended. The Court of Appeal quashed the original term and, on 5 February 2025, Mr Justice Patrick MacGrath resentenced her to four and a half years in prison. He noted her active, premeditated role in moving large sums, her lack of prior convictions, and her status as a mother of three. The headline sentence was set at seven years before a two‑and‑a‑half‑year reduction, resulting in the final term. The case involved a Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau operation that seized the cash in Temple Bar on 12 April 2024. The appeal argued the initial sentence was too lenient, citing the seriousness of the offence and the amount involved.
Kyle Lawrence, aged 19, was jailed for three and a half years after taking part in the Dublin riots on the day he turned 18. He pleaded guilty to two counts of violent disorder and one count of trespass and theft at Arnotts. CCTV footage showed him throwing items at Garda units, damaging an abandoned Garda car and a Dublin Bus, and looting several shops, including Asics, Footlocker, Arnotts, Penneys, Lifestyle Sports and JD Sports. He admitted to following the crowds and having no reason for the violence, describing it as an adrenaline rush. The judge accepted that he was not an instigator and reduced the headline sentence of seven and a half years to four and a half years, suspending one year on conditions including probation supervision. The sentence reflects his youth, immaturity and cooperation.
The jury in the trial of three men accused of raping and sexually assaulting a woman they met at a Dublin nightclub is set to continue deliberations for a fourth day. The defendants, aged 39, 42 and 34, have pleaded not guilty to a total of seven counts, including rape, oral rape and sexual assault at an unknown location, in a car and in a Dublin house on 31 August 2019. After about three and a half hours of discussion, Justice Paul Burns instructed the jury to pause and resume the next day. He also read evidence from a Garda to whom the victim first reported the incident and clarified the legal definitions of rape and consent. The case remains at the deliberation stage, with no verdict yet reached.
Three men have been sentenced at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court following a violent home invasion in Monkstown, Co Dublin on August 21st, 2023. Michael Royal, Thomas Dwyer and Patrick Fitzgerald pleaded guilty to aggravated burglary and false imprisonment. The court heard that four men, one of whom remains unidentified, forced their way into the family home in the early morning, restraining a man in his 70s with cable ties and removing his wife, daughter and six-year-old grandchild from their beds. During the attack, the homeowner was struck on the head with a metal bar, requiring 13 staples, and his daughter was dragged by her hair when attempting to escape. The intruders demanded information related to a bank where the victim had worked two decades earlier. Judge Martin Nolan imposed a headline sentence of ten and a half years, sentencing Royal and Fitzgerald to seven and a half years each and Dwyer to five and a half years, taking account of his comparative youth and lesser criminal history.
Stephen Kavanagh, 50, was sentenced by Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to 240 hours of community service instead of prison for stealing alcohol worth €21,000 while on bail for a similar offence. He pleaded guilty to the theft on 20 September 2023, having 29 prior convictions including a 2022 theft. The judge accepted his guilty plea and noted he had not attracted Garda attention since. A headline sentence of two years was reduced to 18 months, but the court imposed community service within two years. Kavanagh, who had been a successful businessman whose firm had liquidated, claimed financial necessity and debt to "serious individuals" as motive. He had no addiction issues, and his defence highlighted his health difficulties and loss of his mother. The case was adjourned earlier to prepare a Probation Service report to assess suitability for community service.
A 50-year-old woman, November Phelan, was remanded in custody until March 3, when she will be sentenced, following a sentence hearing at the Central Criminal Court. Phelan pleaded guilty to manslaughter when she was arraigned before the Central Criminal Court, admitting to the charge of manslaughter when she fatally stabbed her partner, David Ennis (36), in a Dublin apartment. The court heard that Phelan used excessive force in self-defence, claiming she was in 'total fear' and did not intend to kill him. The incident occurred in the early hours of November 8, 2022, at Claddagh Court in Ballyfermot. The court was informed that Phelan and Ennis had been in a relationship for two to three years, during which drugs were a significant factor. The deceased had a history of drug use and had suffered a fall from a balcony a few days before the incident. CCTV footage showed Ennis arriving at Claddagh Court at 11.30pm on November 7, and Phelan arriving around 1.20am on the morning of November 8. The court heard that Phelan had a history of 26 previous convictions, mostly for public order offences and non-appearance before court. The matter was adjourned and will be finalised on March 3, when the sentence will be determined.
Brian McHugh, aged 40, is set to stand trial for the murder of Lisa Thompson, aged 52, who was found dead in Sandyhill Gardens, Ballymun, Dublin 11, on 9 May 2022. He was arraigned at the Central Criminal Court and pleaded not guilty. Mr Justice Paul Burns has convened a jury of eight men and four women, and the trial is scheduled to commence tomorrow and is expected to last three weeks.
Sharif Kelly, 54, of Balbriggan, Co Dublin, has failed in his bid to pursue a conviction appeal before the Supreme Court regarding the 2013 murder of dissident Republican Peter Butterly. Kelly, who pleaded not guilty, was sentenced to life imprisonment by the Special Criminal Court in April 2017. The court heard that Dean Evans, who pleaded guilty to the murder, fired the three fatal shots into Butterly at the Huntsman Inn in Gormanston, Co Meath, while Kelly was the getaway driver. Kelly's earlier Court of Appeal challenge in April 2022 was dismissed, with judges unimpressed by his objections to the evidence of protected witness David Cullen. Cullen, who turned State's witness, had previously pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of a semi-automatic pistol at the scene and was sentenced in July 2014 to seven years in prison, with three and a half years suspended. Kelly's lawyers also sought to introduce fresh evidence concerning Garda Joseph Doyle, who was later jailed for corruption and deception offences. The Supreme Court refused leave to appeal, determining that issues regarding the admissibility of accomplice-type evidence are primarily for the trial court to analyse and that the Court of Appeal correctly applied established principles governing fresh evidence.
Ryan Fitzpatrick, aged 27, pleaded guilty last year to perverting the course of justice by attempting to destroy a mobile phone linked to a SIM card in Malahide on 27 May 2020, and to corruptly offering a gift to Lauryn McCann to influence her employment. He was sentenced to four years' imprisonment, with the final three months suspended, by Judge Martin Nolan. Fitzpatrick's appeal against the severity of the sentence was dismissed by the Court of Appeal. The court rejected the argument that he should be treated more leniently than the civilian employee who received a two‑and‑a‑half‑year sentence for providing the intelligence. The judge noted Fitzpatrick's conduct was corrupt and highly aggravated, including the destruction of evidence and absconding from justice, and that the sentence was well within the sentencing judge's margin of appreciation. Fitzpatrick had 30 previous convictions and had fled Ireland after the raid, later being extradited to face the charges.
The jury in the murder trial of 24‑year‑old Calvin Dunne, accused of killing Dylan McCarthy during a melee outside a pub in Kildare on 22 August 2022, will begin deliberations next week. The State alleges Mr McCarthy died after receiving punches and a "vicious kick" to the head from Mr Dunne while he was trying to rise. Mr Dunne claims he acted in self‑defence, stating he was drawn into the fight when Dylan and his party were "out of control and extremely violent." He says he only struck Dylan after Dylan attempted to hit Sean Kavanagh, and that he "lightly kicked" Dylan in what he believed to be the chest area. The jury has heard that a state pathologist could not determine whether a punch or kick caused the fatal injury. Sean Kavanagh pleaded guilty. Calvin Dunne pleaded not guilty.
The jury in the trial of three men accused of raping and sexually assaulting a woman they met at a Dublin nightclub has been instructed to pause deliberations for the bank holiday weekend. The men, aged 39, 42 and 34, have pleaded not guilty to seven counts of rape, oral rape and sexual assault, involving a car and a Dublin house on 31 August 2019. After about four hours of discussion, Mr Justice Paul Burns directed the jury to resume on the following Tuesday.
A 66-year-old man from Arva, County Cavan, has been ordered by the High Court to be extradited to Northern Ireland to face murder charges. James Donegan is wanted in connection with the death of Joseph James Porter, a part-time Ulster Defence Regiment member, at Mountnorris, County Armagh, between June 22 and 25, 1979. Mr Porter's body was discovered near his farm entrance on June 24, 1979, with a post-mortem examination revealing fatal gunshot wounds. Mr Donegan is also charged with firearms offences and membership of a proscribed organisation. He was arrested at Dublin Airport in June 2024. Mr Justice Patrick McGrath rejected arguments from Mr Donegan's legal team regarding abuse of process and the fairness of trial proceedings following the significant passage of time. The judge found no evidence suggesting he would not receive fair treatment in the prosecuting jurisdiction. The court adjourned proceedings to February 7 pending surrender.
In a 2023 incident at Clonskeagh Mosque, Khayyaam Noordally claimed that a Garda removed him from the mosque grounds after he attempted to park his disabled son's wheelchair in a disabled bay. Noordally alleged the mosque breached the Equal Status Act 2000 by denying him access. The Workplace Relations Commission, after a virtual equality hearing in October 2023, rejected the claim. The mosque said its car park was full, with 5,000 attendees that day, and that parking was first‑come, first‑served. Security staff reported that the gate was partially closed and that Noordally had tried to force his car into the entrance. The Commission found the refusal was due to the gate's closure, not disability, and dismissed the claim. No further action was taken.
Patrick Flynn, 60, of Islandbridge, Dublin 8, was sentenced at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court after pleading guilty to having child pornography at his home in June 2020. The court heard that gardaí, acting on information from the US National Centre for Missing and Exploited Children regarding suspicious online activity, searched Flynn's residence. Officers discovered multiple images and videos of child abuse material, including a screen recording of a child rape upload. Flynn, who has a mild to moderate learning disability, admitted the material was on his phone but claimed he had deleted it, a statement Detective Sergeant Elaine Murtagh described as "patently untrue." Prosecutors noted Flynn's previous 2018 conviction for sexual assault. Defense counsel highlighted Flynn's intellectual difficulties and his willingness to work with Probation Services. Judge Martin Nolan considered whether a custodial sentence was just, noting Flynn's "serious deficiencies" and reclusive lifestyle. The judge stated it would be "unfair and unjust" to imprison Flynn given his personal circumstances. He imposed a two-year prison sentence, suspended in full on strict conditions. These conditions require Flynn to place himself under the supervision of the Probation Services for one year.
Two individuals have been sentenced at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court following their guilty pleas to conspiracy charges relating to a scheme to impersonate learner drivers during theory examinations. Alina Glont, aged 42, of Charlestown Place, Finglas, Dublin 11, and Daniel Stepien, aged 29, of Annfield Court, Clonsilla, Dublin 15, were convicted of conducting unauthorised theory tests on behalf of third parties between September 2018 and June 2021. Gardaí identified 124 incidents where members of a five-person group sat tests for others, with Stepien completing 68 examinations and Glont 20. Third parties reportedly paid between €1,000 and €2,000 each to the group. Judge Martin Nolan described the operation as a serious criminal enterprise generating approximately €100,000 in profits. Stepien received a 32-month sentence, backdated to December 2024, while Glont was sentenced to two and a half years, with the judge accepting elements of her duress claim involving an ex-partner.
The jury in the trial of three men accused of raping and sexually assaulting a woman at a Dublin nightclub remains in deliberation. The defendants, aged 39, 42 and 34, have pleaded not guilty to seven counts, including rape, oral rape and sexual assault at an unknown location, a car and a Dublin house on 31 August 2019. Jurors spent about four and a half hours today considering their verdicts. Judge Paul Burns instructed them to pause for the day and resume tomorrow to continue their deliberations.
In a Circuit Court hearing on 30 January 2025, Judge Elva Duffy sentenced Anthony Condron, 29, to three years' imprisonment, suspending the final six months, after he pleaded guilty to multiple counts of criminal damage and trespassing in an underground car park at Hampton Wood Drive, Finglas, on 29 September 2022. Condron, who has 76 prior convictions including 30 for criminal damage, admitted he had no idea how THC had entered his system, despite two of three urine samples testing positive. CCTV footage showed him entering the car park via the exit ramp, damaging windows, mirrors, stereos, windscreens, touch screens, wheel arches and five fire doors, causing €14,000 in damage and writing off one vehicle. He was cooperative and remorseful, and the judge noted his participation in educational courses while in custody. The court emphasised that the sentencing aimed to halt his pattern of behaviour.
Jason Paget, aged 38, was sentenced to three and a half years in prison at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court on charges of possessing stolen property taken from a Dublin 8 apartment on 6 December 2021. The items included a motorised skateboard and headphones belonging to a young woman whose home was broken into. Paget pleaded guilty to two counts of possession of stolen property. Judge Patricia Ryan noted aggravating circumstances, including that Paget was on bail for 25 matters and serving a suspended sentence at the time of the offence. The judge imposed the sentence with a backdated commencement of 23 March 2023. Paget, currently imprisoned at the Midlands, has an extensive criminal history including convictions for aggravated sexual assault and aggravated burglary dating to 2003, when he was 16 years old.
Ryan Fitzpatrick, 27, of Malahide, has appealed his sentence of three years and nine months in the Court of Appeal. Fitzpatrick, the appellant, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to corruptly offering a gift to a civilian working for An Garda Siochana to convince her to do an act in relation to her employment on a date unknown. He also pleaded guilty to perverting the course of justice by attempting to destroy a mobile phone linked to a specific SIM card in Malahide on May 27, 2020. His defence counsel, Pieter Le Vert BL, argued that Fitzpatrick was treated unfairly compared to his co-accused, the civilian employee, who received a two-and-a-half-year sentence for providing sensitive information from the Garda Pulse system. The defence contended there was no justification for the disparity in sentencing. Joe Mulrean BL, representing the Director of Public Prosecutions, responded that there was no error and the sentence imposed was "perfectly appropriate." He highlighted that Fitzpatrick pleaded guilty to both corruption and perverting the course of justice, noting he was on bail at the time, exploited a vulnerable co-accused, and has multiple previous convictions for drugs, road traffic, and endangerment offences. Although Fitzpatrick threw his phone in a toilet during a raid, gardaí salvaged the SIM card, which was linked to messages and images taken from the Garda Pulse system. Fitzpatrick fled Ireland and was later extradited. Mr Justice John Edwards, presiding, stated that the court will deliver judgment at a later date, meaning the matter was adjourned.
The trial of Calvin Dunne, 24, accused of the murder of Dylan McCarthy, is ongoing at the Central Criminal Court. Dunne, of Monasterevin, Co Kildare, has pleaded not guilty to the murder of Mr McCarthy on or about August 22, 2022, and to violent disorder on August 21, 2022, at Dublin Road, Monasterevin. His co-accused, Sean Kavanagh, 26, pleaded guilty to assault causing harm on Eamon McCarthy, the deceased's father, on the same date and location; a charge of violent disorder was taken into consideration. The judge directed the jury to find Kavanagh not guilty of the murder charge he had denied. Defence counsel argued that Dunne acted in self-defence and that the jury must acquit if there is any doubt regarding whether Dunne kicked the deceased in the face or chest. The State alleges the kick to the head caused death, while the defence cites pathologist evidence that the cause of fatal injury is indistinguishable. The judge outlined three possible verdicts: guilty of murder, guilty of manslaughter, or not guilty. The matter is currently at the trial stage, with the judge's legal charge to the jury continuing.
Dawei Zhang, 38, and Han Chung Tang, 46, were sentenced by the Court of Appeal to two years and six months' imprisonment, with the final 12 months suspended on condition of good behaviour, after their original 240‑hour community service sentence was deemed too lenient. The appeal court found that the pair, who were take‑away workers at Jumbo Wok in Kimmage, had a verbal dispute over who was the better chef that escalated into a violent fight in July 2019. Zhang and Tang each used meat cleavers, resulting in Tang suffering severe injuries, including a cleaver lodged in his back and a broken shoulder blade, and requiring blood transfusions. Zhang sustained lacerations to his scalp, chest and shoulder. Both pleaded guilty to assault causing harm and producing a knife. The Court of Appeal quashed the community service sentence and imposed the custodial term, citing the seriousness of the assault and the need for deterrence.
Tesco Ireland Ltd was ordered to pay €40,000 to Karen Rice after the Workplace Relations Commission found that the supermarket had dismissed her in October 2023 without providing reasonable accommodation for her vision impairment. Rice, who had suffered an aneurysm that severely affected her sight, had been on long‑term sick leave since June 2020 and had not been examined by a company doctor for two and a half years. The company ignored a 2021 recommendation that she see a consultant ophthalmologist and instead relied on a June 2023 occupational health report from an unqualified employee that claimed no adjustments could be made. The tribunal described the report as "utterly bizarre and disingenuous" and ruled that Tesco's failure to seek further medical opinion or to provide accommodation constituted disability discrimination and a discriminatory dismissal. The award was made at the maximum jurisdiction of the WRC.
Jack Cummins (21), of Rossmore Road, Ballyfermot, pleaded guilty in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to procuring the commission of assault causing serious harm to Alanna Quinn Idris on Ballyfermot Road on December 30, 2021. The court heard that Ms Quinn Idris was blinded in one eye during the attack. Judge Patricia Ryan remanded Cummins on continuing bail and directed the preparation of a probation report and victim impact statement ahead of sentencing on May 12. The matter was adjourned. Darragh Lyons (21), of Chapelizod, also pleaded guilty to assault causing serious harm to Ms Quinn Idris, assault causing harm to Louis O'Sullivan, and violent disorder. He was similarly remanded on continuing bail with sentencing set for May 12. Josh Cummins (20), of Ballyfermot, previously received a five-year sentence in November 2023, with the final two years suspended, after pleading guilty to intentionally or recklessly causing serious harm to Ms Quinn Idris, violent disorder, production of a hurl, and assault causing harm to Mr O'Sullivan. A fourth gang member was sentenced to four and a half years in March 2023.
The Workplace Relations Commission has joined David Moore and three members of the Astronomy Ireland management committee as respondents in a claim brought by former manager Sonya Martin. Martin alleges constructive dismissal and breaches of employment rights after resigning in July 2023, claiming she was forced to resign because the club had no board and that she was being made a party to a fraud on the State. She also accuses Moore of pocketing money that should have gone to the society, citing that fees paid for speakers had not been deposited for years. Moore denies any financial irregularities and says he was only the magazine editor. The tribunal adjourned the hearing, with a new date to be set in early March, after Moore objected to being joined as a respondent and claimed he had not received proper notice of the case management meeting.
The jury has begun deliberations in a trial involving three men accused of raping and sexually assaulting a woman they met at a Dublin nightclub nearly six years ago. The defendants, aged 39, 42, and 34, each pleaded not guilty to multiple counts of rape, oral rape, and sexual assault, with alleged incidents occurring in a car and a Dublin house on 31 August 2019. Mr Justice Paul Burns delivered his charge to the jury at the Central Criminal Court and, after about an hour of discussion, instructed the jurors to pause for the day and resume tomorrow.
Two individuals pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to conspiracy charges relating to a scheme in which they impersonated learner drivers and sat theory tests on behalf of third parties. Alina Glont, aged 42 of Charlestown Place, Finglas, Dublin, and Daniel Stepien, aged 29 of Annfield Court, Clonsilla, Dublin, carried out 88 tests between September 2018 and June 2021. Detective Garda Barry Cormack outlined that a total of 124 incidents were identified, with Stepien completing 68 tests and Glont 20. The Road Safety Authority initiated an investigation in January 2021 following confidential information, subsequently reporting 36 potential impersonations to gardaí. Evidence indicated third parties paid between €1,000 and €2,000 for the service. Upon searching Glont's home, gardaí recovered seven prepaid debit cards registered with false names and used to book over 100 tests. Both defendants presented mitigation, with defence counsel highlighting Stepien's status as lowest-ranking participant and Glont's claims of coercion by an ex-partner. Judge Martin Nolan adjourned sentencing to the following day.
A 36‑year‑old corporal in the Irish Defence Forces, Richard Kearney, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to possessing €25,000 of suspected drug‑proceeds on 6 May 2022. Garda Vincent Jaffray presented evidence that a phone seized from Kearney's rented flat contained communications with known drug dealers, revealing that he had laundered €6.6 million and £250,000 between April 2021 and May 2022. The search uncovered €10,455 in cash hidden in a bed frame and €15,000 wrapped in clingfilm in a freezer. Kearney admitted he was the sole occupant of the flat and that the phone was his. Bank‑statement analysis showed no legitimate source for the money found at his home. The court noted Kearney's lack of prior convictions, his family responsibilities, and his role as a corporal. Judge Martin Nolan, after considering mitigating factors, imposed a headline sentence of six years, reduced to three years.
Brandon Hennessy, aged 21, pleaded guilty in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to possessing cocaine for sale or supply in Blanchardstown on 21 January 2021, when he was 17. Garda surveillance at TUD Blanchardstown's grounds caught him and a co‑accused, who was about 25, attempting to bury a large package of drugs. Hennessy was apprehended at Mulhuddart Cemetery after the pair fled. A search uncovered 454 g of cocaine worth €31,808 and 10 g of heroin worth €1,482. Hennessy had two prior minor traffic convictions. The prosecution noted his father's murder on Christmas Eve 2023 and his mother's struggle, while the defence highlighted his positive traits and community involvement. Judge Martin Nolan, recognising his youth, guilty plea, cooperation and family circumstances, imposed a three‑year sentence suspended in full, conditional on 18 months' engagement with the Probation Service.
Sean Kavanagh (26) was found not guilty of murder by direction of the trial judge, but remains in the case until the jury gives a verdict. He and co‑accused Calvin Dunne (24) pleaded not guilty to the murder of Dylan McCarthy (29) and to violent disorder on 21 August 2022. Kavanagh pleaded guilty to assault causing harm to Eamon McCarthy. He claimed he was defending himself after a fight spilled onto the street from the Bellyard pub, stating a large man in his 50s had attacked him and he responded to protect a friend. The prosecution argued that McCarthy died after punches and a "vicious kick" from Dunne, citing CCTV and a pathologist's report of a tear to the vertebral artery. The trial continues tomorrow.
In a Central Criminal Court trial, a woman alleged she was raped and sexually assaulted by three men she met at a nightclub. The prosecution presented her testimony as "dignified and credible," emphasizing that she did not consent. Defence counsel argued her memory was unreliable and that the men's accounts were more consistent with the evidence. The three accused, aged 34 to 42, pleaded not guilty to seven counts of rape, oral rape and sexual assault, involving incidents in a car and a Dublin house on 31 August 2019. The trial examined CCTV footage, WhatsApp messages, and video clips recorded by the accused, with counsel from each side questioning the reliability of the woman's statements and the interpretation of the evidence. The case remains ongoing.
In a case heard at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, a 19‑year‑old named Nikita Dvoynin pleaded guilty to possession of child pornography after Gardaí discovered over 1,800 images on his devices. The material, uploaded via the Discord app, included 1,141 very explicit images of children as young as two years old. Garda Brendan Cafferkey explained that a warrant was obtained following the discovery of the material, leading to a search of Dvoynin's home where he voluntarily surrendered several digital devices. Dvoynin admitted the devices contained child pornography and later provided a statement detailing how he obtained the material. He had no prior convictions and was cooperative throughout the investigation. Judge Martin Nolan, noting Dvoynin's cooperation, remorse, and lack of previous convictions, imposed a two‑year sentence fully suspended on strict conditions, including 12 months of engagement with the Probation Service. The sentence was delivered with the understanding that Dvoynin would not be imprisoned.
Tony Ward, a 53‑year‑old Dublin City Council employee, pleaded guilty in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to possessing drugs for sale or supply on 10 May 2023. He admitted that he had transported a package of cannabis, worth €6,000, in his work lorry after being approached by co‑accused Michael Little, who had already pleaded guilty to the same offence and received an 18‑month suspended sentence earlier that year. Garda Tara Higgins explained that officers had been monitoring the area following Little's suspicious behaviour; Ward was stopped and arrested when the package was discovered. Ward's defence argued that he acted as a drug mule because his son owed a drug debt. Judge Martin Nolan accepted that Ward was pressured by his son's drug habit, noted his long work history and unlikely re‑offending, and sentenced him to 18 months in prison, suspended in full on strict conditions.
Dylan Mangan, 26, of Dublin 1, pleaded guilty to making unwarranted demands with menace in March 2020. He threatened two innocent victims, saying he would kill them, slit their children's throats and burn down their homes. Judge Martin Nolan sentenced Mangan to five years' imprisonment, describing the offence as "insidious" and noting the threats were menacing and frightening. The case involved co‑accused Des Smyth, 25, who pleaded guilty to the same offence and received a four‑year sentence with the final 18 months suspended for three years to aid his drug rehabilitation. The victims were unrelated to the drug trade; one owed a debt to a half‑brother who was a drug dealer, and the other was the victim's boss. The threats were made after the assailants arrived at the first victim's workplace on 20 March 2020, as shown by CCTV footage.
Nikita Ronan, aged 29 and without a fixed abode, was sentenced to two and a half years in prison for a series of "wilfully violent" assaults in Dublin city centre during 2023. She had 134 prior convictions, including assault, theft, burglary, drugs and traffic offences. Between March and May 2023 she attacked a woman in the Morgan Hotel, assaulted a friend on Aston Quay and attempted to rob her handbag, and on Merchant's Quay she stole a phone and slashed a man's arm and head with a knife. She pleaded guilty to one count of assault, one count of assault causing harm, two counts of assault causing harm and theft of a phone. Judge Elva Duffy described her as a danger to others due to intoxication, imposed a sentence of three years and two months, and suspended the final eight months under conditions. The court noted her remorse, methadone programme and plans to live with her father upon release.
Brad Dempsey, 24, of Crumlin, was sentenced to eight years' imprisonment for firing five shots at a car on Donore Avenue, Dublin 8, on 19 January 2022. He pleaded guilty to one count of unlawful possession of a firearm, a charge reduced from an initial attempt to endanger life. The court heard that a dispute between Dempsey's associate and another person led to the shooting, which was captured on CCTV. Dempsey emerged from the scene with a firearm, fired at the vehicle, and the rear passenger‑door glass shattered. He was in custody since August 2023. The judge, citing the seriousness of the offence, set a headline sentence of 12 years, reduced to eight years and back‑dated to the time of his custody. No injuries were reported. The case reflects Dempsey's history of violent disorder and drug offences.
Harpreet Gosal, aged 33, pleaded guilty in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to four counts of fraud for dishonestly inducing golf clubs to purchase equipment and then withdrawing payment instructions. The clubs were Beaverstown Golf Club, Stackstown Golf Club in Dublin, and Powerscourt Golf Club in County Wicklow. The equipment, valued between €2,000 and €10,000, included electric caddies, drivers, a set of irons and golf balls. Judge Martin Nolan described the scheme as a "scam" where Gosal and an accomplice contacted clubs, arranged purchases, paid over the phone, and then withdrew bank instructions. A bench warrant exists for the co‑accused. Gosal was sentenced to a headline term of four years, with a custodial term of two and a half years. The court noted his 48 prior convictions in England and his parents' letter of support. The equipment was never recovered.
Former Fine Gael TD Kate O'Connell is set to give evidence at an employment tribunal after senior pharmacist Marwan Al Rahbi lodged a complaint under the Unfair Dismissals Act 1977. Al Rahbi, who earned €112,000 a year as a senior support pharmacist at Rathgar Pharmacy Ltd, says he was constructively dismissed after two years because of O'Connell's alleged bullying. His lawyer, Cillian McGovern, claims O'Connell behaved rudely, removed a chair, hid a heater, and told Al Rahbi to perform arbitrary tasks, calling him "your boss." Al Rahbi also alleges O'Connell demanded he sign documents under pressure and refused his request for time off during the Islamic holiday of Eid Al‑Adha. O'Connell's barrister, Derek Dunne, disputes the allegations, stating Al Rahbi was aggressive after being reprimanded for using his phone and that the employer's actions were not bullying. The tribunal has adjourned the case to a later date.
During a murder trial, a witness named David O'Neill testified that he saw Dylan McCarthy lying on the ground after being punched by Sean Kavanagh and Calvin Dunne. O'Neill, who was walking toward Dublin Street, claimed he tried to help McCarthy up but was struck by a kick to the head from Dunne. He described McCarthy falling onto his back with his eyes rolling back. O'Neill said he heard a noise like a car door after the kick and called an ambulance while a girl nearby screamed. He was highly intoxicated that day. The jury heard that Dunne had told Gardaí he lightly kicked McCarthy in the chest area. The trial, presided over by Ms Justice Caroline Biggs, is proceeding to closing speeches. The accused, Kavanagh and Dunne, have pleaded not guilty to murder, violent disorder, and assault causing harm to McCarthy's father. The State's case is that McCarthy died after the assault. The trial continues tomorrow.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing, DNA profiles matching two of the three men accused of raping a woman at a Dublin nightclub were found on her clothing. The forensic examiner reported saliva and seminal fluid on the bra and underwear, with DNA from the first and third accused identified, while the second's DNA was not found. Whatsapp exchanges showed the men arranged to meet the day before their September 2020 Garda interviews. The accused, aged 34 to 42, pleaded not guilty to seven counts of rape, oral rape and sexual assault at an unknown location, a car and a Dublin house on 31 August 2019. The prosecution's case has rested; the trial continues before Mr Justice Burns and a jury.
Marine Terminals Ltd (MTL) was fined €15,000 by Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for health and safety breaches following the death of able seaman Dennis Gomez Regana in November 2018. The company pleaded guilty to failing to ensure that individuals at the place of work were not exposed to risks, specifically citing fragmented verbal and radio communications between vessel personnel, quayside workers, and crane operators. Safety inspector Frank Kerins testified that while the breach did not directly cause Mr. Regana's death, it contributed to the incident where a 20-foot steel container fell on him while he attempted to rectify a missing twist lock. The court heard that MTL had a good safety record and had appointed staff to improve communications. Judge Nolan noted the communication breakdown but considered the guilty plea and the company's cooperation. The fine of €15,000 was imposed with six months allowed for payment. The matter was concluded with this sentencing decision.
Lemos Luise Rocha, 24, from São Paulo, was sentenced to three years' imprisonment for smuggling 1.23 kg of cocaine worth €80,000 onto an aircraft. He admitted possession of the drugs at Dublin Airport on 31 March 2024 and explained that he swallowed half of the pellets while the remainder was wrapped around his groin and in his shoes. Rocha claimed he was coerced by a man who promised a "nice life" and offered him a hamper and €500. He also said he had an affair with his teacher when he was 14 and has a child with her. The court noted his lack of prior convictions, his fear for his life, and the fact that he was a foreign national. Judge Martin Nolan, after considering the mitigating circumstances, imposed a three‑year term, back‑dating it to 31 March 2024 for time already spent in custody. Lemos Luise Rocha pleaded guilty.
A liquidator, Myles Kirby of Kirby Chartered Accountants, was appointed by Mr Justice Oisín Quinn to wind up Chequer Catering Ltd, the company behind Dublin's Green Hen restaurant, after the High Court confirmed a €1.8 million deficit. Kirby had previously served as provisional liquidator. The court noted the restaurant lacked a fire safety certificate and had been without a liquor licence for over two years. Revenue's Dermot Cahill SC highlighted the company's debt of €751,266.01, covering PAYE, PRSI, USC, LPT, corporation tax and VAT from December 2019 onward. An interim examiner had been appointed by the Circuit Court on 13 December, but the company withdrew its protection application. Executive officer Philip Byrne's affidavit stressed Revenue's concern over the company's inability to pay its debts, deeming a full liquidation just and equitable.
In a 2025 appeal, the Court of Appeal overturned a High Court award of damages to Kristina Kandourova, a 44‑year‑old pregnant woman who fell on a concrete kerb at a Circle K forecourt in Dublin in 2016. Kandourova had stopped at the station for coffee, had previously visited the site, and claimed the kerb—described as a 'nib pavement'—was an unnecessary hazard. The High Court had found that the blocked footpath forced her to cross the kerb, constituting negligence on the part of Circle K. The Court of Appeal, however, held that the kerb was a commonplace feature found in many forecourts and that there was no evidence it was an unusual danger. Justice Seamus Noonan ruled that the plaintiff could not be said to have taken reasonable care in failing to see the kerb, and the appeal was allowed, returning the case to the High Court.
A 27-year-old fitness instructor from Donabate has been sentenced to six and a half years' imprisonment at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court following his conviction for drug trafficking. The man pleaded guilty to possession of cannabis on 26 May 2023 in the Balbriggan area of North Dublin. An intelligence-led garda operation led to his arrest after he collected a hired van from a gym in Finglas and travelled to Cavan, where he collected drugs before being stopped by gardaí near Balbriggan on his return journey. Approximately 186 kilograms of cannabis herb and 291 bars of cannabis resin, valued at just under €3.9 million, were recovered from the vehicle. The defendant, who had no previous convictions, told gardaí he had experienced financial difficulties and accepted a one-off payment to transport the van, claiming ignorance of the quantity involved. Judge Martin Nolan departed from the mandatory minimum ten-year sentence, citing the defendant's early plea, cooperation, employment history, and low likelihood of reoffending.
During a sentencing hearing at the Special Criminal Court, Vera Hutch, mother of Gareth Hutch, recounted the impact of her son's murder in an ambush outside his home on 24 May 2016. She described the loss as "senseless and cruel", noting the profound grief and ongoing pain that has altered her family's life. The court had earlier found Thomas 'Nicky' McConnell guilty of the murder, sentencing him to a mandatory life term backdated to 20 July 2020, when he was extradited from Turkey. McConnell was identified as the second gunman in the attack, alongside Jonathan Keogh, who shot Gareth. The court relied on mobile‑phone data, CCTV footage and other evidence to establish McConnell's role, despite his gun's safety catch being on. The hearing highlighted the enduring emotional scars left by the crime and the family's plea for justice.
James Ajibola, a migrant security guard, lodged a complaint with the Workplace Relations Commission alleging that BGS Security Ltd withheld wages for about 230 hours of work in Dublin from July to September 2024. He claimed the company paid only those with long tenure and that workers with limited English were not paid. Ajibola said he was told to "beg" for wages and that a manager cited a "mistake" with his Revenue record. He reported receiving payslips for July, August and September but no actual payment. The company did not attend the hearing; the adjudicator proceeded after confirming notice. Ajibola's evidence included a message from a director apologising for payroll delays. The adjudicator promised a decision within a few weeks, noting enforcement mechanisms exist if the company refuses to comply.
In a Central Criminal Court jury hearing, State pathologist Dr Heidi Okkers confirmed that 29‑year‑old Dylan McCarthy died from a traumatic head and spinal injury caused by blunt force trauma, but she could not identify whether a punch or a kick caused the fatal blow. The State alleges McCarthy was assaulted outside a pub in Kildare by Sean Kavanagh (26) and Calvin Dunne (24), who claim self‑defence, and that McCarthy was also involved in the violence that night. Both men pleaded not guilty to murder, violent disorder and, in Kavanagh's case, assault causing harm to McCarthy's father. Dr Okkers described extensive haemorrhaging, brain swelling, and spinal cord damage, noting that CCTV made it impossible to determine the specific blow that caused the fatal injury. The trial will resume next Monday before Justice Caroline Biggs and a 12‑person jury.
Joseph Boyle, 42, was sentenced at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for violent offences committed while on bail. He pleaded guilty to assault causing serious harm, robbery, theft, and threatening to kill or cause serious harm. Judge Martin Nolan jailed Boyle for eight and a half years, imposing a five-year sentence for the assault causing serious harm and a consecutive three-and-a-half-year term for the remaining charges. The court heard Boyle had 86 previous convictions and that his single punch to a victim's head on Phibsborough Road resulted in a life-threatening traumatic brain injury, requiring five and a half months of hospitalisation. Other offences included knife robberies of tourists and security staff. In a related matter, Kia O'Connor, 34, pleaded guilty to violent disorder for throwing a bottle at a woman during an altercation in which Boyle brandished a knife. Judge Nolan jailed O'Connor for one year. Both defendants were of no fixed abode. The judge noted Boyle's chronic drug problem and violent temperament, describing him as a menace. O'Connor's defence highlighted her personal setbacks and drug addiction. The matter was finalised with these custodial sentences.
Three men aged 34 to 42, with addresses in Dublin and Wicklow, are on trial for seven counts of rape, oral rape and sexual assault against a woman at an unknown location in a car and a Dublin house on 31 August 2019. The defendants have pleaded not guilty. One defendant, 34, admitted to recording two videos of the incident – one 30 seconds long and one six seconds – and sharing them in a group chat he described as a "locker room chat" for a laugh. He claimed the videos were taken in darkness and that he did not see any rough play or force. He denied giving the woman cocaine and insisted she consented throughout. The court has seen the videos, which contain only a female voice saying "No" and a male voice allegedly saying "Stick it up her arse." Forensic evidence showed bruising on the woman's arms and legs but no genital injuries.
During the sentencing of Robert Murphy, 42, at the Central Criminal Court, the mother of 23‑year‑old Jamie Kavanagh, Niamh McGuinness, spoke of her grief, describing her loss as a "wound that is wide open." Murphy had pleaded guilty to manslaughter but was found guilty of murder after a jury deliberated for almost five hours. He was sentenced to life in prison, back‑dated to the date he entered custody on 19 April 2023. The court heard that Murphy had 66 previous convictions, including for knives, firearms and arson, and that he had been found with blood‑stained clothing, a balaclava and knives. McGuinness's victim impact statement detailed the emotional devastation she and her family endured, while the judge expressed regret at the harrowing nature of the trial.