Eimear Barron, 53, pleaded guilty to 12 counts of theft totalling €25,793, representing 41 unauthorised transactions between February 2019 and November 2021. She worked as a payroll manager for a contractor that handled payroll for two companies. The companies noticed suspicious activity in March 2022 and reported it to Gardaí. Barron transferred the stolen funds to her bank and a Revolut account, updating employee records with her own account numbers and making batch payments. She was arrested in May 2023 and admitted the money was used for living expenses and bills. She had no prior convictions. Judge Orla Crowe imposed a two‑year prison sentence, fully suspended on strict conditions for three years, and directed that the €25,793 be paid to the injured parties. Barron's family home had been sold, making the full amount available for repayment.
During a Central Criminal Court hearing, an eyewitness described a violent incident in Kildare where 29‑year‑old Dylan McCarthy was struck in the head, leading to his death. The State alleged that McCarthy was punched by Sean Kavanagh (26) and Calvin Dunne (24) before Dunne delivered a "vicious kick" to McCarthy's head while he was attempting to rise. Both men claim self‑defence and that McCarthy was involved in the violence that night. They have pleaded not guilty to murder and to violent disorder, and Kavanagh also pleaded not guilty to assault causing harm to McCarthy's father. The witness recounted hearing a "loud thud" like a football kick and observed McCarthy lying flat on the ground when struck. The trial continues before Justice Caroline Biggs and a jury of ten men and two women.
The trial of three men accused of raping a woman in Dublin and Wicklow in August 2019 continues at the Central Criminal Court. The accused, aged 34, 39, and 42, have all pleaded not guilty to a total of seven counts of rape, oral rape, and sexual assault. The 42-year-old second accused, with a Wicklow address, faces two counts of rape, allegedly occurring in his car and a house. The 39-year-old first accused, from Dublin, is charged with one count of rape at his home, one count of oral rape, and one count of sexual assault in a car. The 34-year-old third accused, also from Dublin, faces one count of oral rape in the house and one count of sexual assault in a car. During testimony, the second accused told gardai the complainant was 'in control' and that the group 'had a laugh.' He denied the woman was intoxicated or forced, stating she was 'conscious and allowing.' The court heard video clips where a female voice says 'no,' which the accused claimed were refusals of specific acts rather than rape. The men deny all wrongdoing, and the trial is ongoing.
The trial of three men, aged 34 to 42, accused of raping and sexually assaulting a woman in Dublin and Wicklow on August 31, 2019, has heard evidence regarding WhatsApp messages and video clips. All three defendants have pleaded not guilty to a total of seven counts of rape, oral rape, and sexual assault, denying any wrongdoing. The jury viewed two video clips shared between the first and third accused; one 30-second clip featured a female voice saying 'No' repeatedly, while the other was six seconds long with no audible words. An investigating garda stated he believed a male voice was heard in the first clip but agreed with defense counsel that no allegations of anal rape exist in this case. The court noted that the clips were not found on phones seized from the second or third accused, and gardai could not determine the exact recording times or order. The first accused, aged 39, provided a detailed account to gardai, claiming the woman consented to sexual activity and that she later refused anal sex. He described the interactions as consensual and stated he was '100% shocked' by the accusations. The second accused, aged 42, and the third accused, aged 34, also maintain their innocence. The trial continues.
Dean Kelly, 37, was sentenced to 27 months in prison after pleading guilty to attempted theft of a man with an acquired brain injury. On 16 September 2022, Kelly called the victim's home, calling him a "kiddie fiddler" and threatening to release naked photographs unless the victim gave him cash. He then accompanied the victim to an ATM, urging him to withdraw €40, but tried to withdraw an additional €700. The victim managed to recover his card and alerted the Gardaí. Kelly had a history of 65 theft and fraud convictions, plus robbery and handling stolen property. He is currently serving a sentence for theft and is due for release in November. The judge noted Kelly's long offending history but also his positive behaviour in prison, and imposed a 27‑month term.
Cheong Sik Hong, 38, of Kampung, Paya Bemban, Malaysia, was sentenced to three years in prison after customs officers discovered over €280,000 worth of cannabis in his suitcase. Hong admitted possession of 14 kg of cannabis, estimated at €281,000, for sale or supply at Dublin Airport on 7 July 2024. He claimed he was paid to transport edible bird nests and had no knowledge of the drugs. Garda Jamie Connor reported that a customs dog alerted to the suitcase, which Hong said belonged to a friend and was forced open. Hong stated he had been told he would stay in Ireland for seven days and would receive further instructions upon arrival. He had no prior convictions, pleaded guilty early, and cooperated with the investigation before being jailed for three years.
The Court of Appeal has dismissed Ian Connaghan's appeal against the severity of his sentence for the manslaughter of Michael Mulvey. In July 2023, a Central Criminal Court jury acquitted both Ian and his brother, Daniel Connaghan, of murder but convicted Ian of manslaughter and Daniel of intentionally or recklessly causing serious harm. In December 2023, Mr Justice Burns sentenced Ian to nine years' imprisonment with the final year suspended, while Daniel received five years with the final year suspended. Appealing on the basis that the sentencing judge erred by placing the offence in the high culpability band, counsel for Ian argued the case fit the medium range. However, Mr Justice Edwards, delivering the judgment, upheld the original sentencing. The court found that the second attack involved significant premeditation, as the brothers had "lain in wait" for the victim. Citing the "sheer viciousness" of the assaults and the victim's inability to defend himself, the court determined these aggravating factors justified the high culpability classification. The appeal was rejected, confirming the validity of the sentences imposed.
Paul Clarke, aged 41, was sentenced to six years' imprisonment in October 2023 for an armed robbery of a Lidl on Malahide Road on 13 November 2019. He entered the store with a handgun, fired a shot into the ceiling, brandished the gun while holding a bag, threatened an assistant manager, and stole €1,000 from two tills. The Court of Appeal reviewed CCTV footage and noted the robbery lasted about two minutes, with the gun fired at the ceiling and the manager forced to let Clarke out. Judge Orla Crowe had originally set a headline term of eight years, later reduced to six years after mitigation. The DPP appealed, arguing the headline term was too low, citing the busy premises, prolonged interaction, and a 19‑month overlap with a prior sentence that minimized the final term. The Court of Appeal will decide on 6 February.
A trial heard that gardai reviewed approximately 160 hours of CCTV footage during the investigation into the alleged rape and sexual assault of a woman by three men she met in a Dublin nightclub. The three accused men, aged 34 to 42 with addresses in Dublin and Wicklow, have pleaded not guilty to a total of seven counts of rape, oral rape, and sexual assault alleged to have occurred on August 31, 2019, in a car and a Dublin house. The first accused, aged 39, pleaded not guilty to one count of raping the woman in his home address, one count of oral rape, and one count of sexually assaulting her in a car. The second accused, aged 42, pleaded not guilty to one count of raping the woman in the car and one count of raping her in the house. The third accused, aged 34, pleaded not guilty to orally raping the woman in the house and sexually assaulting her in the car. Evidence indicated that CCTV was used to identify the vehicle, a Volkswagen SUV registered to the second accused, and to trace its journey. A 15-minute compilation was shown to the jury. The complainant alleged she may have been drugged, though no evidence of this was found in the footage. The matter was adjourned, and the trial continues.
In a 2025 appeal, the State argued that the 15‑month sentence given to Ukrainian refugee Liudmyla Budash was too lenient. Budash, aged 46, pleaded guilty in July 2024 to a single money‑laundering offence after being caught in Temple Bar with a suitcase containing €491,955. Judge Elva Duffy had set a headline term of three and a half years, reduced to two years, and suspended nine months. The State, represented by Miska Hanahoe, claimed the headline term was too low, citing the amount of money, the sophisticated nature of the operation, and Budash's active role. Budash's counsel, Dominic McGinn, argued the sentence was appropriate, noting her lack of prior convictions and the desperate circumstances of her refugee status. The Court of Appeal will decide in early February.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court sentencing hearing, Victoria Quinn, 46, pleaded guilty to careless driving causing serious harm after colliding with an elderly couple's car at a crossroads on the R125 in Swords on 4 June 2022. The collision left the 72‑year‑old woman with a fractured back and other injuries, and the couple's husband died 19 days later from unrelated pneumonia. Quinn received a suspended two‑year sentence, a €8,000 fine payable in six months, and no custodial term. The court noted Quinn's earlier statement to Gardaí that she had approached the junction slowly, which witnesses contradicted by describing her driving at speed and failing to see the stop sign. Quinn's cooperation and remorse were acknowledged, but the judge found her statement inconsistent with the evidence. The case ended with the court's full condolences to the victim's family.
Kielan Mooney, a 30-year-old Defence Forces member from Derry, was sentenced at the Central Criminal Court to eight and a half years' imprisonment for the repeated rape of a fellow soldier. Mooney, who pleaded not guilty to six charges including two counts of rape, two of oral rape, one of anal rape, and one of sexual assault, was convicted by a jury on three counts: rape, oral rape, and anal rape. The jury failed to reach a verdict on the remaining three charges. Mr Justice Tony Hunt imposed a global sentence of eight and a half years, backdated to Mooney's initial custody in December. The judge also ordered a two-year post-release supervision period, requiring Mooney to engage with the Probation Service. Mr Justice Hunt stated he had intended to reduce the headline sentence by two years but withheld this reduction after finding he was "significantly misled" by mitigation material describing Mooney as a "dedicated father." The judge labelled these claims a "false prospectus" and a "gross overstatement," noting evidence that Mooney had no meaningful contact with his children. The victim, a serving soldier, read a statement detailing the impact on her life and career. Mooney's legal team argued the initial encounter was consensual, but the judge rejected suggestions of false allegations, describing Mooney's actions as "selfish, arrogant and forceful."
Three men—Noah Musueni, David Amah, and Michael Andrecut—will be judged next month on whether they murdered Tristan Sherry, who fatally shot Jason Hennessy Snr in Browne's Steakhouse on Christmas Eve 2023. The Special Criminal Court adjourned the case to 17 February, stating it cannot yet deliver a judgment. The trial heard that Sherry entered the restaurant on 24 December, shot Hennessy, and was then dragged to the ground and beaten to death. The prosecution claims Sherry died from blunt force injuries and stab wounds delivered while he lay on the ground after being disarmed. Defence lawyers argue the accused acted out of fear, self‑defence, or provocation, citing Sherry's opening fire on a group that included children. All three men have pleaded not guilty. Additionally, Jonas Kabangu, Diarmuid O'Brien, and Brandon Hennessy are charged with violent disorder at the same event, and have also pleaded not guilty. The court will decide the outcome on 17 February.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing, Cristal O'Brien recounted that on 1 December 2022, her ex‑partner Philip Cox, with whom she had lived for 18 years, stabbed her twice while chasing her with three knives. O'Brien described the attack as a "movie scene" she did not sign up to, noting that Cox threatened to "stab her to pieces" and that the incident left her with severe anxiety, panic attacks and post‑traumatic stress disorder. She was on crutches for three weeks, could not drive for months and was out of work for a year, relying on illness benefit. O'Brien also said she had received ten weeks of counselling and may need more. The court heard that Cox's attempted‑murder charge was dropped after a jury failed to reach a verdict, and that he had pleaded not guilty to that charge. He had previously pleaded guilty to assault causing harm, aggravated burglary and to the production of a knife.
The trial heard that the housemate of a woman who claims she was raped and sexually assaulted by three men at a nightclub had no concerns for her friend's safety when she left the club. The housemate testified that she and the complainant had drinks and socialised on 30 August 2019 before the complainant went to the nightclub. She recalled the club was busy and that they danced near others but not with them. The housemate said the complainant called her the next morning, saying she had been raped, and that she had sent a location pin. She described the complainant's accounts of being taken to a car and a house where the men allegedly raped her, and of the complainant's attempts to fight back. The housemate's statements were cross‑examined by counsel for each of the three accused men, who all pleaded not guilty to the seven counts of rape, oral rape and sexual assault.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing on 17 January 2025, two young women recounted the lasting impact of a violent late‑night robbery that took place in the city centre on 18 August 2022. The attackers, a 45‑year‑old woman named Joanne Cuffe and an unidentified man armed with a stick, threatened the victims with "dirty needles" and forced them to an ATM. Cuffe, who pleaded guilty to robbery, was sentenced to three years' imprisonment. The court heard that the robbery left the women feeling unsafe, on "high alert" and emotionally unsettled. One victim described the event as unforgettable and noted the broader harm to her family and friends. The judge acknowledged Cuffe's remorse and background, expressing hope that she would reform after release. The case highlighted the severe physical and psychological injuries suffered by the victims and the serious consequences of the attackers' actions.
During a murder trial in Monasterevin, father Eamon McCarthy testified that he saw his son Dylan, aged 29, gurgling and with eyes rolling after a violent assault. McCarthy described how Dylan was punched by Sean Kavanagh (26) and Calvin Dunne (24), then kicked in the head by Dunne while Dylan tried to rise. McCarthy claimed he intervened, pulling Kavanagh's hand from Dylan, but was struck and knocked to the ground. He later recalled a man striking him with a belt. McCarthy's injuries included a fractured jaw, broken nose and a hairline fracture near an eye socket, all attributed to the assault. The case remains at the trial stage, with the jury hearing the State's account of the incident and the defendants' self‑defence claims. Sean Kavanagh pleaded not guilty. Calvin Dunne pleaded not guilty.
In a High Court hearing on 17 January 2025, a vulnerable man in his fifties who has long‑term health needs settled a personal injury action against a care facility, a Dublin hospital and the Health Service Executive for €325,000. The claim arose from a broken femur sustained after the man was transferred from the care unit to an emergency department on 27 October 2018, admitted until 2 November 2018, and then returned to the care unit where bruising was noted. He was subsequently readmitted to the hospital, where a femur fracture requiring surgery was discovered. The plaintiff alleged that the care unit, the hospital and the HSE failed to exercise reasonable care, skill and diligence in diagnosing, treating and managing his condition, and that they ignored his history of falls, poor balance and communication difficulties. The settlement comprised €200,000 in general damages and €125,000 in special damages, and was approved by Mr Justice Paul Coffey.
A judge issued a bench warrant for David Williams, 67, after he failed to appear for sentencing. Williams, who had pleaded guilty to multiple counts of deception, including fraudulently posing as a barrister and defrauding a Galway woman of over €7,000, had previously been adjourned for medical reasons and had a history of non‑attendance. He was also convicted of providing legal services while unqualified and acting as an unauthorised insolvency practitioner. His partner, Crystal Talia, 46, was sentenced today for allowing Williams to use her bank accounts to facilitate the fraud. Talia received a fully suspended 12‑month sentence, with the judge noting her good character and family circumstances. The case involved the fraudulent firms THL Legal and Moore, Barrington and Walters, which were raided and found to have a client list of 1,200 victims. The bench warrant was issued to ensure Williams' arrest.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court case, Des Smyth, aged 25, pleaded guilty to making unwarranted demands with menace in March 2020. He and a co‑accused attempted to extort €20,000 from two unrelated victims: a man whose half‑brother was a drug dealer and his employer. CCTV showed Smyth and the co‑accused arriving at the first victim's workplace, demanding money and threatening to slit the victim's children's throats if the money was not paid. The victims had no connection to the drug trade. Gardaí identified the suspects through CCTV and confidential information. Smyth was described by the judge as a henchman in an extortion attempt. He received a sentence of four years, with the final 18 months suspended for three years to support his drug rehabilitation.
A woman denied that any consensual sexual contact occurred with the three men accused of raping and sexually assaulting her. The men, aged 34 to 42, have pleaded not guilty to seven counts of rape, oral rape and sexual assault at an unknown location in a car and in a Dublin house on 31 August 2019. In her direct evidence, the woman said she was out socialising with a friend when she met the men at a Dublin nightclub, that she believed she had been drugged, and that she was raped twice in a vehicle she thought was a taxi and once in a bed in a house with a man on top of her. She woke the next morning in bed with a man sleeping beside her before leaving the house. She stated she had no recollection of any consensual sexual activity with any of the accused and that she did not remember any conversation with them.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, Alan Morrison, 45, pleaded guilty to possessing a realistic imitation firearm after he appeared unannounced at Geoffrey Keating's home, threatening to shoot him. Morrison demanded €30,000 for an alleged drug debt, though Keating had never been involved in drugs. Gardaí found the imitation firearm in Morrison's trouser leg and a small black handgun on the ground. Keating, who had been handcuffed, used his son's weapon to subdue Morrison. Morrison, who has 67 prior convictions mainly for traffic offences and a 12‑year sentence in 2009 for drug possession, was sentenced to four years' imprisonment with the final 12 months suspended for two years. The court noted Keating's increased security measures, new driving licence, and purchase of a car for family safety. Morrison's defence highlighted his PTSD and rehabilitation efforts. The judge emphasised that the offence was not drug‑related.
Abraham Adeniyi, aged 22, received a nine‑month suspended sentence for acting as a money mule. He pleaded guilty in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to money‑laundering charges relating to an incident that occurred on 15 September 2021. The victim, who had no knowledge of the transaction, received a message that appeared to come from her bank, prompting her to click a link. The next day she was informed that €9,517 had been transferred from her account to Adeniyi's account. The bank later recalled the money and returned it to the victim. Garda Paul Kelly explained that the victim had no prior contact with Adeniyi and that the bank had been able to recover the full amount. During Garda interviews Adeniyi admitted that he had allowed his account to be used by a third party and that he had been used as a money mule. He was arrested after a court order was obtained for his bank account.
In a Central Criminal Court case, two men, Sean Kavanagh (26) and Calvin Dunne (24), charged with the murder of Dylan McCarthy (29) in Monasterevin on 22 August 2022, claim they acted in self‑defence. The prosecution contends McCarthy died after receiving punches from Kavanagh and a kick to the head from Dunne while he was on the ground. McCarthy was taken to hospital the next day and pronounced dead. The State presented CCTV footage and testimony that Kavanagh and Dunne were present at the pub, that McCarthy was involved in a fight, and that Dunne delivered a "running kick" to McCarthy's exposed head. The jury heard that McCarthy suffered a subdural haemorrhage, and the prosecution must prove beyond reasonable doubt that the accused intended to kill or cause serious injury. The trial continues before Justice Caroline Biggs and a jury of ten men and two women. Sean Kavanagh pleaded not guilty. Calvin Dunne pleaded not guilty.
In the High Court, Mr Justice Alexander Owens addressed post-trial applications in the civil case involving defendant Conor McGregor and applicant Nikita Hand. Following a jury finding that Mr McGregor was liable for the assault of Ms Hand in December 2018, while co-accused James Lawrence was found not liable, the judge issued orders regarding trial materials and damages. Mr Justice Owens ordered Mr McGregor to destroy or return all case materials, including CCTV footage, to his solicitor, citing a real risk of dissemination. He warned Mr McGregor that he does not get another run at the case by throwing out allegations on social media or using surrogates. The judge refused to find Mr McGregor in contempt for his social media posts, stating it would be a distraction. Regarding financial obligations, the court ordered an interim payment of €100,000 in damages and €200,000 towards Ms Hand's costs, with the remainder stayed pending a potential appeal. The matter was adjourned to February 12.
Rodel Padilla, a former nurse manager at Beacon Hospital, has received a three-year, fully suspended sentence at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. Judge Martin Nolan handed down the sentence after Padilla pleaded guilty to deception committed between July 2021 and August 2023. The court heard that Padilla exploited a system glitch to overstate his overtime, resulting in approximately €56,000 in payments. He resigned immediately after an internal investigation flagged the irregularities in 2023 and made full admissions to gardai. Judge Nolan noted that the matter was initially adjourned overnight to consider the appropriate disposal. In sentencing, the judge cited Padilla's guilty plea, cooperation, lack of previous convictions, and good work history as key mitigating factors. The judge stated that Padilla did not deserve imprisonment for his offending. Defence counsel highlighted that Padilla had lost his career and was in irrecoverable financial difficulty, having taken out loans to send money to family in the Philippines. The judge accepted that Padilla was unlikely to reoffend and that his remorse was genuine. The sentence is fully suspended, meaning Padilla will not serve time in custody, provided he meets any associated conditions.
Lee Zhu Xuan, a 21‑year‑old Malaysian from Pereak, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to importing cannabis worth just over €360,000 into Ireland via Terminal 2, Dublin Airport on 5 June 2024. Garda Alex Murphy reported that a Revenue officer observed Xuan acting suspiciously, searched his bag and found 36 vacuum‑packed bags of cannabis. Xuan claimed he had no knowledge of the contents, saying a friend had given him the bag and booked the flight. He was promised €2,800 for his role and said he was studying music and had high educational fees. During the garda interview he expressed deep regret for his actions. The court heard that Xuan had no prior convictions, cooperated with customs and the gardai, and made admissions.
A jury of five men and seven women has been sworn in at the Central Criminal Court in Dublin to hear the trial of Alan Vial and Nikita Burns, who are charged with the murder of Robert Wilkin on 25 June 2023 in County Donegal. Ms Burns, from Carrick, has pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to impeding the apprehension or prosecution of another person for an arrestable offence. Mr Vial, from Drumanoo Head in Killybegs, has pleaded not guilty to the charge. The court heard that it is alleged Mr Wilkin's body was disposed of by being thrown over the cliff edge at Sliabh Liag. Mr Justice David Keane instructed the jury that the case has attracted publicity and invited any person with knowledge of the matter or familiarity with those involved to declare this, as such individuals may be ineligible to serve. The trial is expected to last approximately three weeks.
Jason Smith, 31, of Beechdale Lawn, Ballycullen, Dublin 24, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to possession of cannabis, cocaine and cannabis jellies in the Dundrum area on 1 June 2023. Garda Kevin Keogh reported that Smith had been seen pulling up beside a parked van, removing an item and placing it in his car. Gardaí later seized a hidden compartment in the van containing vacuum‑packed bags of cocaine. The total value of the drugs seized was €143,697, including €21,612 of cocaine and €119,219 of cannabis. Smith claimed he was unaware the items were drugs, stating he was addicted to Xanax and had accrued a drug debt. He admitted responsibility, expressed remorse, and had cooperated with the investigation. Judge Martin Nolan accepted the mitigating circumstances and sentenced Smith to three years' imprisonment, reducing the headline sentence of six years.
Brandon Cunningham, 25, of Amiens Street, Dublin 1, was sentenced at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for assault and violent disorder arising from a February 15, 2021, incident on the Luas. Cunningham pleaded guilty to the charges. The court heard that he bit part of a man's ear off during a brawl between George's Dock and Busáras stops, an altercation that forced the tram out of service. Judge Martin Nolan jailed Cunningham for three years, with the sentence backdated to when he first entered custody. The judge noted that while Cunningham did not start the attack, biting off part of an ear was a "pretty savage thing to do." Defense counsel Carol Doherty BL highlighted Cunningham's personal history, including being a "heroin baby," and his remorse. Anthony McDonald, 26, of Cromcastle Court, Dublin 5, was also sentenced for violent disorder for his involvement in the same incident. Judge Nolan stated that McDonald's culpability was lesser than Cunningham's but noted he had participated in the event. McDonald was jailed for 18 months. Defense counsel Derek Cooney BL argued that McDonald did not inflict the injury and was unable to leave the tram until it stopped. Both sentences were handed down following the presentation of CCTV footage and evidence regarding the dispute between the parties' families.
In a Central Criminal Court trial, a woman accused three men of rape and sexual assault. She testified that she believed she was drugged after leaving a pub with a housemate on 30 August 2019, and that she was subsequently raped in a vehicle and again in a house. She described feeling "faded and hazy" and that a "bag of white powder" was nearby. The men, aged 34 to 42 and residing in Dublin and Wicklow, pleaded not guilty to seven counts including rape, oral rape and sexual assault in a car and a house. The case is before Mr Justice Paul Burns and a jury, with the trial ongoing. The woman made a complaint at a Garda station and was examined at the Sexual Assault Treatment Unit. The trial continues.
Nathan McCarthy, 25, of Lower Kimmage Road, was jailed for 18 months after a drunken assault on two men eating takeaway and a garda. On 1 November 2023, McCarthy entered Hillbillies Takeaway, shouted at the manager, punched the counter, stole the card machine, smashed a lampshade, and damaged the premises. He then attacked two men in a parked car, choking one, damaging the car, and kicking the other. He also punched a garda three times, bit another garda's forearm, and was observed foaming at the mouth. McCarthy pleaded guilty to six charges, including three assaults causing harm, one ordinary assault, one criminal damage, and one unauthorised taking of a car. The court imposed a three‑year sentence, with 18 months suspended on strict conditions, after considering his intoxication and personal circumstances.
Paul Costello, 54, of Cois Cairn, Bray, was jailed for four years at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court after pleading guilty to possession of cannabis for sale or supply on 30 January 2024. Gardaí seized 10 kg of cannabis worth €200,180 in his van and €52 of cocaine in the front. Costello admitted responsibility for the drugs, saying the cocaine was for personal use and that he had been instructed by a group of men to place the drugs in the van. He claimed he was a courier, not an owner, and that he would receive €100 per kilo. He also stated he would rather take the blame than a "bullet in the head". The judge noted his 16 prior convictions, none drug‑related, his health issues, early guilty plea and cooperation, and considered him unlikely to reoffend to the same degree.
A 54‑year‑old man from Hazelmere, Naas, Co. Kildare, with no prior convictions, was sentenced to six years' imprisonment for transporting over €3.2 million worth of cannabis. He admitted to possessing 161.5 kg of the drug on the M50 motorway on 20 March 2024, after being paid €100 to drive a van that had been seized by Gardaí. The van, stopped on the M50, contained boxes of suspected cannabis; a mobile phone and a lottery ticket were also found. Cox claimed he was unaware of the contents, stating he only knew he was to meet a person. He had been suffering financial hardship following a heart bypass, a motorbike accident, a marital break‑up and homelessness. The court noted his guilty plea, cooperation with Gardaí, lack of prior convictions and financial difficulties, and imposed a six‑year sentence, a decision made after considering the mandatory minimum of ten years and mitigating circumstances.
A Palestinian man in his 40s, who fled war and has been sleeping rough for ten months, has been granted a judicial review hearing by the High Court. He seeks placement in international protection accommodation and a vulnerability assessment, claiming PTSD and worsening mental health due to homelessness amid rising criminality and anti‑immigrant sentiment in Dublin. The applicant, represented by barrister Keivon Sotoodeh of Patrick J Sweeney Solicitors, argues that the Minister for Children, Equality, Integration and Youth and the state have failed to fulfil EU‑mandated duties under the EU Regulations and Reception Conditions Directive. He requests an order compelling the Minister to provide material reception conditions, including accommodation and a timely vulnerability assessment, and a declaration that the Minister's alleged failure is unlawful and breaches his rights to dignity, humane treatment and family life. The High Court adjourned the case to the following day.
Two men have been convicted and jailed at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for demanding €41,000 from a father by threatening him over debts allegedly incurred by his son. Alan Fitzsimons, aged 47, with addresses in Sutton, Dublin and Lisduff, Castleblayney, County Monaghan, received a sentence of four years and ten months. Dominic Dynes, aged 53, also of Castleblayney, was sentenced to six and a half years imprisonment. Both men pleaded guilty to demanding money with menace in November 2021. The victim was told his son owed money to dangerous individuals and subsequently received multiple calls pressuring payment. After raising €41,000 through a loan and family borrowings, he handed the sum to the defendants. Judge Martin Nolan described the conduct as sinister, noting it represents a concerning trend whereby criminals impose debts incurred by individuals onto their families. The judge acknowledged neither defendant employed physical violence, yet the victim clearly understood the serious threats implied. Gardaí intervened after the victim alerted them, observing a final collection attempt where €3,000 was seized.
Three men aged 34 to 42, living in Dublin and Wicklow, have pleaded not guilty to seven counts of rape, oral rape and sexual assault against a woman they met in a Dublin nightclub. The alleged assaults took place on 31 August 2019 at an unknown location in a car and in a Dublin house. The first defendant, 39, is accused of raping the woman in his home, orally raping her and assaulting her in a car. The second, 42, is accused of raping her in the car and in the house. The third, 34, is accused of orally raping her in the house and assaulting her in the car. The prosecution says the woman's recollection is fragmented and that she was highly intoxicated. CCTV from the nightclub shows the woman entering a car with the three men, and the car is registered to the 42‑year‑old.
Dean O'Brien, 39, of Blakestown Cottages, Clonsilla, Dublin, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to possession of 9.5 kg of cannabis worth €194,940 found in a vehicle parked in Whitestown Park, Blanchardstown on 5 August 2023. Garda Conor Finnegan noticed a smashed back window and suspected the car had been stolen; the registered owner was O'Brien's partner. The car was searched, revealing 1,000 tablets worth €2,000 in the front seat and cannabis in the boot. O'Brien admitted he had taken full responsibility for the drugs, explaining he had stored them to pay a €10,000 debt to violent criminals owing to his cocaine habit. He claimed his partner was unaware of the drugs. O'Brien has since undergone drug rehabilitation. Judge Martin Nolan sentenced him to three and a half years' imprisonment, citing his cooperation, guilty plea, and steps taken to address his addiction. The sentence reflects the seriousness of the offence and the circumstances presented.
A key prosecution witness, Kallum Coleman, 23, who was due to testify in the trial of barrister Diarmuid Phelan, 56, was arrested on a warrant issued during Phelan's trial. Coleman had left Ireland for Spain after the trial began and later agreed to return, but the jury heard he had a "change of heart" and fled when gardai stopped for refreshments en route to a Spanish airport. Coleman was involved in a trespassing incident on Phelan's Hazelgrove Farm on 24 February 2022, during which Phelan shot Coleman's dog and then fired three shots from a handgun, killing Keith Conlon. Phelan was acquitted of murder after a 10‑week trial that ended on 3 January. Coleman failed to appear on 30 October, leading to a warrant and his arrest last week. The Director of Public Prosecutions has informed the court that Coleman faces contempt proceedings before Ms Justice Lankford, who is currently conducting a trial in Cork.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, Sharon Hickey, 45, pleaded guilty to possessing 2.9 kg of heroin for sale or supply outside the Lamplighter pub on 12 April 2022. The heroin, worth €417,480, was found in a green Aldi bag given to her by co‑accused Gregory Dunne, who also handed her €500 in cash. Hickey had been told to hide the drugs to reduce a debt from bills, credit cards and drugs, and was promised the cash in exchange. She admitted the offence, expressed regret and remorse, and has since become drug‑free, is fully employed and her risk of reoffending has fallen from moderate to low. Judge Elma Sheahan, after a year's adjournment, imposed a headline sentence of five years, but suspended a three‑year term in full for four years, citing her progress and rehabilitation. The case remains adjourned for finalisation.
Christopher Connaughton, a 45‑year‑old painter and decorator from Enniscorthy, was sentenced to four years in prison at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for his role as the 'warehouse man' in a €726,000 cannabis shipment. He pleaded guilty on 18 July 2023 to possession of cannabis herb and resin after Customs and Gardaí seized two pallets at a Greenhills Industrial Estate warehouse. Connaughton signed for the delivery under a false name, unloaded the drugs, and took the pallets to a Tallaght warehouse where further searches uncovered the full value of the drugs. He admitted his involvement, claiming he acted to pay a drug debt, and stated he had no financial interest in the shipment. His only prior conviction was for drink driving. The judge noted his low‑to‑middle level involvement and imposed the four‑year sentence, citing mitigation but also the substantial drug amount.
In a Special Criminal Court hearing, lawyers for Eric O'Driscoll, aged 22, requested maximum leniency in sentencing for a firearms offence. O'Driscoll was filmed on a phone video taking a .223 calibre Remington AR‑15 semi‑automatic rifle from another man and firing it from the rear of a Dublin home in Finglas. The rifle, seized in February 2022, was in good condition and had been successfully fired by a garda ballistics examiner. O'Driscoll pleaded guilty in January 2022 to possession of the rifle at that address, with circumstances suggesting unlawful possession. He also faces charges of reckless discharge of a firearm and possession of a .380 ACP calibre Ingram M11 sub‑machine gun. The court will consider a probation and governor's report before deciding the sentence. The maximum penalty for the offence is 14 years, but the counsel argued for a lower, rehabilitative sentence.
Jonathan Cummins, 38, of Henrietta Place, Dublin 1, was sentenced to 16 years' imprisonment by a jury in the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court after a November 2023 series of unprovoked knife attacks. On 2 November, Cummins slashed the face of a homeless woman from mouth to ear, then later that day attacked a male victim in Wolfe Tone Square, slashing his face from mouth to ear, and assaulted another woman. He was found guilty of intentionally causing serious harm to a man, assault causing harm to a woman, producing a knife in the course of an assault, and possessing a scissors. Cummins had 18 prior convictions, including assault offences. The court noted the attacks were entirely unprovoked and the injuries were appalling. Cummins has been in custody since the offences.
A veteran Irish Rail station master with 43 years of experience, Mick O'Grady (64), has told a tribunal that he felt forced to retire due to a 'false' allegation that he assaulted a senior manager during a 2019 staff meeting. O'Grady, former manager of Pearse Street DART station in Dublin, is claiming constructive dismissal over the company's handling of the incident. His complaint under the Unfair Dismissals Act 1977 followed failed attempts to resolve the dispute through internal processes and mediation. The tribunal heard that during a meeting on 27 June 2019, there was a disagreement between O'Grady and his district manager regarding work at Tara Street DART station. The district manager reportedly told staff that the situation was not acceptable and demanded the return of car park fobs. O'Grady claimed that the staff refused to give up the fobs as they were needed for late shifts.
Law professor Diarmuid Phelan, aged 56, was acquitted of murder after a ten‑week trial at the Central Criminal Court. The jury, after six hours and 51 minutes of deliberation over two days, found that Phelan acted in self‑defence when he fired three warning shots at trespassers on his farm. The prosecution had argued that the third shot, fired with the gun pointed toward Keith Conlon, intended to kill or seriously injure him. Phelan maintained that he had no intention to kill and that the fatal shot was accidental, caused by stress‑related misalignment and Conlon's movement uphill. The jury rejected the State's case, concluding that Phelan's belief in an imminent attack and the force used were reasonable under the circumstances. Phelan left the courtroom free, while Conlon's family expressed hurt and disappointment at the verdict. The judge thanked the jurors and exempted them from further service for life. Diarmuid Phelan pleaded not guilty.
At the Central Criminal Court trial of Diarmuid Phelan, the jury heard extensive background evidence regarding repeated trespassing and criminal damage at his Hazelgrove farm in West Dublin. The defence argued that understanding the defendant's history was essential to contextualizing the events of February 24, 2022. Testimony detailed numerous incidents, including arson, vehicle theft, and assaults, which Phelan reported to gardai. Specific attention was given to a 2017 District Court case involving three young men, including Kallum Coleman and Robin Duggan, who were accused of trespassing. Although the source text notes that three individuals were previously convicted of trespassing and criminal damage in that earlier matter, the current trial focused on the subsequent murder charge against Phelan. The defence highlighted that Phelan had been threatened by these individuals in court, leading to his fear of returning. The trial also examined the context of badger baiting, an illegal activity, which Phelan allegedly encountered when he shot a dog he believed was threatening his livestock. The jury was presented with Phelan's account of the confrontation that followed, where he claimed the men emerged from the bushes and screamed at him. The proceedings emphasized the long-standing conflict between Phelan and local trespassers, with the defence urging jurors to consider the cumulative impact of these alleged crimes on the defendant's state of mind.
Diarmuid Phelan, a law professor and farmer, was accused of murdering Keith Conlon by shooting him in the back of the head on his farm. During a March 2022 High Court bail hearing, the State opposed release, citing flight risk. Phelan, appearing via video-link from Cloverhill Prison, denied any intention to evade justice. The court heard he held significant assets, including farms in Wexford and Tallaght, and was a US citizen. Ms Justice Deirdre Murphy refused bail, finding him a serious flight risk with a powerful incentive to evade justice. Phelan subsequently appealed to the Court of Appeal. Mr Justice George Birmingham noted Phelan had left the High Court judge "totally in the dark" regarding his finances. The Court of Appeal granted bail, requiring a personal bond of €50,000 and an independent surety of €50,000. Phelan's murder trial later opened before Ms Justice Siobhan Lankford. He did not take the stand to give evidence in his defence. The prosecution suggested he was a skilled shooter, while his defence included a US firearms expert. The report details his professional background, financial arrangements, and the procedural history of his bail application and subsequent trial proceedings.
A jury has paused its deliberations for the New Year and will resume on Friday to decide the verdict in the trial of law professor Diarmuid Phelan, who denies murdering a trespasser on his Tallaght farm. The jury, consisting of nine men and three women, has spent four hours and two minutes considering the case. Judge Siobhan Lankford reminded the jurors to remain silent about the case until their return and to be unanimous in their verdict. She explained the three possible verdicts—guilty of murder, not guilty of murder but guilty of manslaughter, or not guilty—and outlined the paths the jury may take based on intent, self‑defence, and the reasonableness of force. Phelan, 56, has pleaded not guilty to the murder of Keith 'Bono' Conlon, 36, who was shot on February 24, 2022, after trespassing on Phelan's property.
In a Workplace Relations Commission hearing in June, Wix Online Platforms Ltd conceded it breached the Unfair Dismissals Act 1977 by dismissing Courtney Carey. The adjudicator determined that Ms Carey was fired over social media posts regarding the conflict in Palestine. The WRC subsequently convened a hearing to determine compensation for this unfair dismissal. During the proceedings, Ms Carey was questioned by the company's lawyers about her job search following what her solicitor described as a "very public sacking." She testified that she lost her flat, relied on social welfare, and accepted a lower-paid position as an An Post clerk. Ms Carey stated she felt blacklisted from the tech sector, noting that multiple tweets and LinkedIn posts characterized her as supporting terrorism, which caused potential employers to withdraw offers. The validated procedural stage for this specific matter is a hearing or decision regarding compensation, following the company's admission of the breach.
A jury is set to begin deliberations on the murder trial of law professor Diarmuid Phelan, who denies killing a trespasser on his Tallaght farm. Judge Siobhan Lankford has delivered her charge to the 12 jurors, who will start deliberating at 10 am tomorrow. The trial, which began on 12 December, has been delayed by juror unavailability and extended beyond its original six‑week schedule. Phelan, 56, is charged with murdering Keith 'Bono' Conlon, 36, who was shot in the back of the head on 24 February 2022. The prosecution alleges Phelan fired a loaded revolver at Conlon, while the defence claims the shot was accidental. The jury will consider whether Phelan's conduct was objectively dangerous and whether self‑defence applies, with possible verdicts of guilty of murder, not guilty of murder but guilty of manslaughter, or not guilty. The jury will return to the Central Criminal Court at 10 am on Tuesday to begin deliberations.