A second Malaysian drugs mule who believed the €389,000 in cannabis he was smuggling in his suitcase was a consignment of edible bird nests has been jailed. Chong Chong Nen (50) pleaded guilty to possession of cannabis for sale or supply at Terminal 1, Dublin Airport, on June 2, 2024. He has no previous convictions and has been in custody since his arrest on the day of the offence. Judge Dara Hayes noted the deleterious effect of drug crime on communities and on wider society. She said there were "specific and exceptional" circumstances in the case which allowed her to depart from the presumptive minimum sentence of ten-year imprisonment, citing the manner in which Chong Nen had dealt with the case, his early plea and his cooperation and admissions. She set a headline sentence of five and a half years before imposing a term of three years and six months, suspending the final nine months. Kim Low Swee (35), also from Malaysia, received a sentence of three years and six months, with the final 12 months suspended earlier this month, after the court heard he was under significant financial pressure. The second Malaysian drugs mule, who also believed he was carrying bird nests, has been jailed. The matter was adjourned at the sentence stage.
In a High Court hearing on 20 December 2024, the court appointed Myles Kirby as provisional liquidator for Chequer Catering Limited, the company behind Dublin's Green Hen restaurant. The company was declared insolvent, with a €1.8 million deficit and a debt of €751,266.01 to Revenue covering PAYE, PRSI, USC, LPT, corporation tax and VAT from December 2019. Chequer had no fire safety certificate and had been without a liquor licence since September 2022, yet its creditors include wine suppliers. The court, hearing an ex‑parte application from Revenue, ordered the appointment of the provisional liquidator and adjourned the case to 27 January to allow a petition for winding up to be filed. The company's directors are Frank Gleeson of Churchtown and Ciara Fox of Celbridge. The provisional liquidator will oversee the company's affairs pending a formal winding‑up application.
Sam Collins, a 30-year-old electrician from Sandyford, Dublin, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to possession of drugs for sale or supply following an incident on August 26, 2023, at Charlestown Place, Finglas. Gardaí discovered approximately €58,879 worth of drugs during a search of his vehicle and home after he was observed at the location. The court heard Collins was storing the drugs for a third party and that he had no previous convictions. Defence counsel highlighted his mental health difficulties at the time and noted his otherwise solid work history and family circumstances. Judge Martin Nolan imposed a four-and-a-half-year prison sentence, fully suspended, citing exceptional circumstances including Collins' early guilty plea, clean record, and unlikely prospect of reoffending.
Cailean Crawford, 28, was convicted by a Central Criminal Court jury of murdering Thomas McCarthy, 55, at his mother's home in Ballyfermot on 27 July 2020. Crawford pleaded not guilty but was found guilty of the murder and of perjury during the trial. He had a prior conviction for conspiring to murder gangland figure Wayne Whelan, for which he served five years. The jury deliberated eight hours and twenty minutes before returning a unanimous verdict that Crawford fired several shots from a blue Ford Fiesta, killing McCarthy. Judge Tony Hunt sentenced Crawford to mandatory life imprisonment, backdating the sentence to 1 June after his previous term ended. The sentencing followed the prosecution's case that Crawford was the assassin who carried out the execution and that he had lied in court to avoid responsibility. The judge noted Crawford's prior criminal history and the seriousness of the murder.
Thomas 'Nicky' McConnell, aged 38, was found guilty by the Special Criminal Court of murdering Gerard 'The Monk' Hutch's nephew Gareth Hutch in a Dublin ambush eight years earlier. The court, led by Mr Justice Alexander Owens, concluded that McConnell was the second gunman alongside Jonathan Keogh, who fired the fatal shots. McConnell's firearm was later discovered with the safety engaged and did not discharge, yet the court determined his preparatory actions and intent linked him to the murder. Evidence included mobile phone data, CCTV footage, and McConnell's own false statements to Gardaí. McConnell had previously pleaded not guilty. He now faces a mandatory life sentence, to be imposed on January 27, 2025. The verdict follows earlier convictions of Regina Keogh, Jonathan Keogh, and Thomas Fox for the same murder. The trial, delayed for 16 months, relied heavily on digital and forensic evidence to establish McConnell's role.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, 19‑year‑old Scott Cahill was sentenced to five years' imprisonment, with the last two years suspended on strict conditions, including probation supervision. Cahill, who had been on bail when he attacked British tourists in Temple Bar on 11 August 2023, pleaded guilty to violent disorder and assault causing harm. CCTV footage showed him punching three men and stamping on one's head. Two victims were taken to hospital, one with a broken nose and lacerations, the other with a cut to the back of the head. Victim impact statements described lasting physical injuries and psychological effects such as PTSD and hyper‑vigilance. Cahill has four prior convictions, was deemed high‑risk of re‑offending, and has not behaved well in custody since September 2023. The judge noted his guilty pleas, remorse, youth and reports from psychologists and probation staff as mitigating factors.
Patrick O'Toole, a Wicklow solicitor and former developer aged 63, was found guilty of three counts of deception and two counts of attempted deception relating to a false letter that claimed he had paid a €64,840 financial contribution for an apartment complex. He had used the letter to induce purchasers to complete sales in 2006‑2008 and attempted to dissuade Wicklow Town Council from seeking the money in 2008 and 2012 by sending the same letter and suggesting the council contact former clerk Frank O'Toole. The court acquitted him of a single corruption count. He was sentenced to a suspended 18‑month term for the 2012 attempted deception, fined €20,000 for the 2008 attempt, and the other three deception counts were taken into consideration. He has since paid the full amount, an overpayment of €10,000, to the local authority. The judge noted no prior convictions and imposed a non‑custodial sentence. Patrick O'Toole pleaded not guilty.
Cllr Paul Hogan, Cllr Aengus O'Rourke, and Cllr John Dolan welcomed a High Court adjournment in their challenge to a plan to house approximately 1,000 male asylum seekers in tented accommodation in Athlone. The applicants alleged that the ministerial process was unlawful, irrational, and breached fair procedures, claiming deficiencies in environmental screening, wastewater assessment, and traffic impact analysis. At the hearing, counsel for Cllr Hogan stated that the State had conceded the case, resulting in the development being classified as unauthorised. However, the applicants maintained that substantive environmental and planning issues remained unaddressed. Mr Justice Richard Humphreys adjourned the matter to January 27 to allow for further detailed consideration of these wider grounds. The State confirmed that works on the Lissywollen site would cease on December 20, though the site would remain in operation pending a final court determination. The councillors, including Mayor Frankie Keena, stated that the adjournment provides an opportunity to have their broader concerns heard in full by the High Court.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court trial, Liam Whelan, aged 43 and homeless, was convicted of assault causing serious harm and robbery after he attacked a cardiologist with a champagne bottle at the victim's home. The attack left the doctor with a skull fracture, a large blood clot, permanent hearing loss in one ear, and a six‑month work‑disability due to seizure risk. Whelan, who has 63 prior convictions, pleaded not guilty but was found guilty by a unanimous jury. Judge Patricia Ryan sentenced him to ten years and six months, with the final twelve months suspended for three years on strict conditions. The court noted the severity of the injuries, the unprovoked nature of the assault, and the use of a bottle as a weapon in determining the sentence. The case highlighted the victim's significant physical and financial losses following the incident.
In a Court of Appeal hearing, Mr Justice John Edwards increased the sentence of Soufiane Mountassir, a 40‑year‑old on‑the‑run arsonist, from three to five and a half years for false imprisonment and assault causing harm. Mountassir had forced his former partner into the boot of her car, driving her to dark locations where he beat her for an hour and 40 minutes, causing her to fear for her life. He had been drinking, taking Dalmane, cocaine and cannabis during the attack. The Court noted the dominance, coercion and abuse of power in the intimate relationship, and that the original sentence was too lenient. The new headline sentence was set at eight years, with a two‑and‑a‑half‑year reduction for mitigating factors, resulting in the final five‑and‑a‑half‑year term. The decision was based on the aggravating nature of the violence and the victim's prolonged trauma. Soufiane Mountassir pleaded guilty.
A secondary school teacher from Donegal Town has had her conviction upheld by the Court of Appeal following a challenge to her trial proceedings. Jacinta McSherry O'Connor, aged 64, was found guilty in October 2023 at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court of two counts of indecent assault against a male student in 1985. The assaults occurred in the student's home while she was providing grinds; she was 24 at the time and the boy was 13. Ms Justice Isobel Kennedy dismissed McSherry O'Connor's appeal, which contended that the jury should not have heard evidence of disclosures she made about her own alleged sexual assault. The court determined that such evidence was relevant to establishing grooming behaviour. McSherry O'Connor was sentenced to three years on each count concurrently, with the final six months suspended. McSherry O'Connor pleaded not guilty.
An alcoholic father, 35, pleaded guilty to one count of child neglect after his baby was found blue and shivering in a car in Dublin 15 on 21 October 2023. He had forgotten where he left the vehicle while drinking and had not reported the missing child immediately. Gardaí searched the area, locating the car at 4:55 am; the infant, dressed in a babygrow, was rescued, wrapped in blankets, and taken to Temple Street Children's Hospital where a doctor confirmed the baby had been exposed to low temperatures but had recovered. The court, considering mitigating factors such as the father's early guilty plea and expressions of remorse, imposed a two‑year sentence suspended in full for three years and directed continued addiction treatment. The baby was placed in the care of other family members until the mother returned, and the father had previously completed a five‑week residential rehabilitation programme.
John Tate, 62, of Iveagh Trust, Kevin Street, Dublin 8, appeared before Dublin Circuit Criminal Court after being charged in Dublin District Court with two counts of arson, two counts of violent disorder and two incidents of obstructing traffic at Parnell Street and O'Connell Street on 23 November 2023. Judge Elva Duffy adjourned the case to 25 February for arraignment, remanding Tate on continuing bail. He will decide whether to plead guilty or request a trial date.
A man described as middle management in a significant drug operation has been sentenced to seven years in prison at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. Philip Lawless, aged 48 and from Leixlip, County Kildare, pleaded guilty to possession of cannabis and cocaine worth over €3.18 million for sale or supply at two Dublin locations on 3 April 2024. Gardaí conducted surveillance operations last April, tracking vehicles to a storage unit in Ballymount, Tallaght, and a subsequent stop on Beresford Street, Dublin 7. Searches uncovered substantial quantities of drugs at both locations. Phone analysis revealed Lawless was directing the activity of two other men, with one having saved his contact as "boss man". Evidence indicated he received instructions from a person further up the operation's hierarchy. Judge Dara Hayes imposed a headline sentence of twelve and a half years, reduced to eight and a half years, with the final eighteen months suspended. Lawless must engage with the Probation Service upon release.
Shirley Creighton, 49, of Derham Park, Balbriggan, pleaded guilty to careless driving causing serious bodily harm after striking a woman in her late 80s who was crossing Bridge Street. The victim suffered a serious leg fracture, required surgery and skin grafts, and had her home adapted for independent living. CCTV showed the victim was halfway across the road when Creighton began her manoeuvre. Judge Dara Hayes, considering the seriousness of the offence, the victim's vulnerability, and Creighton's good character and post‑incident conduct, imposed a nine‑month custodial sentence but substituted it with 100 hours of community service to be completed within 12 months. Creighton had not driven for six months after the crash, had sold her car, and expressed remorse, with her family and local community holding her in high esteem. The court accepted her willingness to undertake community service and her request to retain her driving licence.
A man with previous convictions for rape and kidnapping has pleaded guilty to harassing three female journalists at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. Mark McAnaw, aged 52 and previously resident in Letterkenny, County Donegal, admitted to three counts of harassment against Sunday World staff members on various dates in August 2023. Judge Martin Nolan ordered the preparation of victim impact statements. McAnaw was remanded in custody pending sentence, scheduled for March 7 next. McAnaw has an extensive criminal history including a nine-year sentence imposed in 2012 for sexually assaulting a student in Donegal in 2010, and a 1989 conviction for kidnapping. He received an eight-year and four-month sentence in June 2023 for a separate assault, with the final 16 months suspended for 16 years subject to probation supervision.
Three men convicted of the kidnap and torture of Quinn Industrial Holdings director Kevin Lunney have had their appeal adjourned for three months by the Court of Appeal. Alan Harte (43), Alan O'Brien (43) and Darren Redmond (30), all from East Wall, Dublin, sought to overturn their December 2022 convictions for false imprisonment and intentionally causing harm. Their barristers argued that key DNA evidence from a van destroyed by fire while in garda custody should have been inadmissible, and raised concerns about the admissibility of phone records and CCTV footage obtained in breach of law. The three-day hearing before Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy and colleagues did not conclude as scheduled. The men were originally convicted following the abduction of Mr Lunney from his home in County Fermanagh on September 17, 2019, and his subsequent assault at Drumbrade, Ballinagh, County Cavan. Harte received a 30-year sentence, O'Brien 25 years, and Redmond 18 years with the final three suspended. The appeal will resume on March 11, 2025.
The Court of Appeal rejected the appeal of 36‑year‑old Polish national Sebastian Barczuk, who was convicted of murdering his former flatmate Michal Kurek, a homeless man, by stabbing him 62 times in August 2017. Barczuk had argued that mobile phone data used at his trial was unlawfully obtained by Gardaí. Mr Justice Michael MacGrath held that the Gardaí complied with the Communications (Protection of Data) Act 2011 and that the phone data was admissible. He also rejected the claim that the trial judge should have discharged the jury because the phone data was not properly proved, finding no gap in the evidence that would justify such a discharge. The Court therefore dismissed the appeal, leaving Barczuk's conviction and mandatory life sentence in place. The case remains at the Court of Appeal stage. Sebastian Barczuk pleaded not guilty.
The Court of Appeal has increased the prison terms for Adam Murphy and Keith McCormick-Smith, who pleaded guilty to manslaughter and multiple vehicle thefts. The court ruled that their original sentences were unduly lenient. Murphy, who admitted to manslaughter and seven other offences committed in a spree in Dublin on January 23, 2022, had his combined sentence raised from nine and a half years to 12 years. The Court of Appeal found that the sentencing judge erred in principle by fully suspending the two-and-a-half-year consecutive sentence for the theft offences. The court imposed four years for the unauthorised taking counts, consecutive to the manslaughter term, resulting in a total of 12 years after reductions and a six-month suspension. McCormick-Smith, who also pleaded guilty to the same theft charges plus possession of stolen property, saw his sentence more than double from two years and two months to five years. The court determined that the original headline sentence was a substantial departure from the norm. It imposed two consecutive four-year sentences for the thefts, reduced to six years, with the final 12 months suspended. Both men were convicted of leaving a victim, Ian McDonnell, to die after he was thrown from a stolen car during the crime spree.
The trial of Riad Bouchaker, 50, accused of seriously assaulting a care worker and attempting to murder three children outside a primary school in Dublin, has been postponed. Lawyers have requested a neuropsychologist's report, which is expected by the end of February. The court has adjourned the case to February 26 for an update. Bouchaker faces charges of attempted murder of two girls and a boy, assault causing serious harm to a care worker, and possession or production of a knife. The incident occurred on 23 November 2023 outside the school.
The State has withdrawn the attempted murder charge against Philip Cox, a 40‑year‑old man, after a second Central Criminal Court jury failed to reach a verdict. The charge was dropped following a nolle prosequi entered by the Director of Public Prosecutions, as the judge noted the high standard required to prove an attempted murder, which demands proof of both an attempt to kill and an intention to kill. Cox had pleaded not guilty to the attempted murder of his former partner, Cristal O'Brien, but had pleaded guilty to assault causing harm, aggravated burglary and the production of a knife. The judge directed that the case proceed to a sentence hearing on the three remaining charges, with Cox remanded in custody until the hearing on 20 January. The victim, Ms O'Brien, expressed satisfaction with the decision, and the judge highlighted the difficulty juries face in proving the specific intent required for attempted murder.
Three civil servants were suspended after a security probe revealed an unauthorised computer in the basement of the Department of Foreign Affairs passport service offices. One of the suspended staff, a senior porter with decades of service, was dismissed because he was found to have used other employees' credentials to log into the highly sensitive Automated Passport System (APS) database. The WRC hearing detailed that the porter had repeatedly accessed the database using the login details of two other civil servants, a practice that the department deemed a sustained breach of IT policy. The porter denied knowingly breaching the system, but the department's secretary‑general ruled that his actions were damaging to the State and could not be remedied by transfer or demotion. The hearing concluded with an adjudicator set to issue a decision in writing.
A member of the Irish Defence Forces has been convicted of raping a fellow soldier at a Dublin hotel in July 2021. Kielan Mooney, aged 30 and from Londonderry, was found guilty at the Central Criminal Court this month on charges of anal rape, oral rape, and rape. He had pleaded not guilty to six charges in total; the jury could not reach verdicts on three remaining counts. The complainant, also a serving member of the Defence Forces, chose not to be publicly identified. According to evidence, the assault occurred in a hotel room in Dublin city centre. The woman stated she had instructed Mooney to stop, but he continued. She subsequently contacted friends, who arrived at the hotel and removed him from the room before gardaí were called. In a victim impact statement, the woman described the lasting trauma and its effects on her career and mental health. Mr Justice Tony Hunt remanded Mooney in custody pending sentencing on 20 January 2025.
Three men convicted of the kidnapping and torture of Quinn Industrial Holdings director Kevin Lunney have appealed their sentences at the Court of Appeal, arguing that crucial DNA evidence from a Renault Kangoo van should not have been admitted at trial. Alan Harte, Alan O'Brien, and Darren Redmond were convicted in December 2022 of false imprisonment and intentionally causing serious harm to Mr Lunney at Drumbrade, Ballinagh, County Cavan on 17 September 2019. Harte received a 30-year sentence, O'Brien 25 years, and Redmond 18 years with the final three suspended. Their legal representatives argued the van, which was destroyed by fire while in garda custody, was not properly preserved, depriving the defence of independent forensic examination. DNA matching Mr Lunney was found inside the vehicle, whilst DNA matching Redmond was discovered on bars behind the front seats. The prosecution contended the evidence remained admissible and highly probative. The appeal hearing continues.
Derek Landers, 42, who has lived in Lanzarote, Spain for 20 years, pleaded guilty in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to possession of drugs for sale or supply after a pallet of cannabis was seized at Dublin Port. The pallet, weighing 54 kg and valued at €1,046,000, was hidden under towels and discovered by customs and Gardaí. Landers admitted he believed he was collecting horse feed and was offered €250 for the job, later claiming he was asked to do a job for €1,000. He has 19 prior convictions in Spain and Ireland. Judge Elva Duffy, noting that Landers was not at the top rung of the drug‑distribution ladder, sentenced him to five years' imprisonment. The case involved a joint customs‑Garda operation that intercepted the shipment and examined the contents. Landers expressed remorse and apologized to his family, society and the court. The sentence reflects the seriousness of the offence and Landers' guilty plea.
A Dublin City Centre Traders Alliance, led by solicitor Noel Smyth, has been granted leave to seek a judicial review of traffic restrictions imposed by Dublin City Council and the National Transport Authority. The alliance, which includes owners of city‑centre car parks and members of the Restaurants Association of Ireland, argues that the traffic‑calming measures on Liffey quays—such as bans on private vehicles between 7 am and 7 pm—were adopted beyond the council's powers and will cost the city nearly €400 million. The traders' July 2024 report predicts a €141 million drop in retail spending by 2028 and a loss of over 6,000 jobs, amounting to an adverse monetary impact of €390 million. They seek orders quashing the July 2024 adoption of the Dublin City Centre Transport Plan, the council's subsequent orders on implementation and signage, and claim the council acted ultra vires and without a required environmental impact assessment.
In a Central Criminal Court case, Mr Justice Tony Hunt explained the difficulty of deliberating on an attempted murder charge after a second jury of 12 failed to reach a verdict. The case involved 40‑year‑old Philip Cox, who had stabbed his former partner, Cristal O'Brien, twice with three knives. Cox pleaded not guilty to attempted murder but guilty to assault causing harm, aggravated burglary and knife production. The jury deliberated for seven hours over three days, then for five hours after the judge offered a majority verdict option. When no ten‑member majority emerged, the judge declared the jury deadlocked and discharged them, noting the high standard of proof required for attempted murder. He advised the jury not to reproach themselves and highlighted that the case was highly contentious, with the outcome dependent on the Director of Public Prosecutions. The judge thanked the panel and wished them a happy Christmas, exempting them from service for ten years.
Maria Stefan, 33, pleaded guilty to fraudulently claiming €18,045.60 in one‑parent and rental allowances between December 2017 and December 2018. She had previously lived at Thomas Moore Road, West Dublin, but was seen at an Ashton Drive house in Swords where her then‑partner lived. An investigation began after a welfare inspector noticed inconsistencies in February 2021. A search of the Ashton Drive house on 4 June 2021 found a letter addressed to Stefan and other items, and evidence that she used the address online 54 times. Stefan admitted the online account was hers and that she sent the messages. She has 10 prior convictions, including theft and burglary. Judge Orla Crowe directed her to complete 240 hours of community service in lieu of a two‑year, three‑month prison term and to engage with probation services for one year.
Paul Bissett, 38, was sentenced to three years in prison for burglary and criminal damage after stealing seven designer watches from Cullen Jewellers in Dublin 2 on 18 November 2023. The shop owner was alerted by an alarm at 6.45 am, found the window broken and the case of 10 Tag Heuer watches opened, with seven taken and three left on the ground. The stolen watches were valued over €13,000 and the damage to the shop was between €15,000 and €20,000. Later that day Bissett and another man tried to sell the watches to Dawson Jewellers, but the owner, already aware of the theft, called the gardaí and Bissett was arrested. Five of the watches were recovered, worth over €10,000. Bissett had 75 prior convictions, including assault, and had recently received a four‑year sentence for a robbery committed a month after the jewellery heist. Paul Bissett pleaded guilty.
The Government has conceded a High Court challenge brought by Cllr Paul Hogan against a plan to house approximately 1,000 male asylum seekers in Athlone. At the hearing, Oisin SC, representing Mr. Hogan, informed Mr Justice Richard Humphreys that the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability and Youth conceded the case, stating the development would be classified as unauthorised. Ms Aoife Carroll SC, for the State, indicated the matter could be put in for mention on Thursday, pending instructions from the Minister. Mr. Hogan, who secured 4.8 per cent of first preference votes in the recent General Election, alleged the ministerial process was unlawful, irrational, and breached fair procedures. The challenge was supported by Athlone-based representatives, including TD Kevin 'Boxer' Moran, councillors Frankie Keena and Aengus O'Rourke of Fianna Fáil, and John Dolan of Fine Gael. Mr. Hogan sought to pause or quash the statutory instrument that confirmed the project did not require An Bord Pleanála approval and that specific EU environmental assessments were unnecessary. He claimed the Minister failed to adequately screen for environmental impacts, citing deficiencies in wastewater and traffic assessments, and argued the plan would cause significant traffic hazards and health and safety issues. He further alleged a lack of prior consultation with local councillors and that the development would be prejudicial to public health. Minister for Integration Roderick O'Gorman had contested the case. The matter was adjourned for mention on Thursday.
Three men convicted of the kidnapping and torture of Quinn Industrial Holdings director Kevin Lunney have appealed their convictions at the Court of Appeal. Alan Harte (43), Alan O'Brien (43), and Darren Redmond (30), all from East Wall, Dublin, were sentenced in December 2022 following trial at the Special Criminal Court. Harte received 30 years imprisonment, O'Brien 25 years, and Redmond 18 years with the final three suspended. The men were convicted of false imprisonment and intentionally causing serious harm following an incident at Ballinagh, County Cavan, on 17 September 2019. Their counsel argue that phone records and CCTV evidence were improperly admitted without witnesses taking fresh oaths during trial proceedings. They contend the gardaí obtained phone data through procedures not designed for that purpose, constituting an invasion of privacy. The State's counsel maintains the evidence was properly presented to the trial judges and that no deprivation of fair trial rights occurred. The appeal continues before Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy.
Paul Bourke, aged 56, was sentenced to ten years' imprisonment after pleading guilty to eight counts, including possession of cocaine for sale, possession of €18,100 in cash from criminal proceeds, and possession of three Glock 17 pistols. The offences occurred across several locations: his home in Tullyvolty, Johnstown, Co Kilkenny; Ballygall Parade, Finglas, Co Dublin; Tallaght, Co Dublin; and Ashbourne, Co Meath. On 3 November 2023, Bourke was arrested in Finglas after a Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau operation, following a confidential tip‑off. He was observed leaving his Kilkenny home in a transit van, dropping packages in Tallaght, Ashbourne and Finglas, where each package was seized and the recipients arrested. The Tallaght package contained just over €70,000 of cocaine; the Ashbourne and Finglas packages each held over €17,000 of cocaine. In Finglas, his van contained €18,100 in cash.
The Special Criminal Court concluded its six‑week trial of six men charged in the killing of gunman Tristan Sherry on Christmas Eve 2023. Sherry and a second gunman entered Browne's Steakhouse in Blanchardstown on 24 December, where Jason Hennessy Snr and about 30 others were celebrating. Sherry shot and fatally wounded Hennessy Snr before being dragged to the ground and beaten to death. The three men charged with Sherry's murder are Noah Musueni (18), David Amah (18) and Michael Andrecut (23). Jonas Kabangu (18) and Diarmuid O'Brien (18) are charged with violent disorder, as is Brandon Hennessy (21). All pleaded not guilty. The prosecution argued that Sherry was subjected to a sustained, controlled and continuous attack, beaten to death, spat on, photographed and left to die in a pool of blood, constituting murder. The court adjourned the matter until 20 January 2025.
A jury of eight men and four women has deliberated for a third day in the trial of Philip Cox, a 40‑year‑old man accused of attempting to murder his former partner, Cristal O'Brien, at the York Street Flats in Dublin 2 on 1 December 2022. Cox has pleaded not guilty to the attempted murder charge. He is also charged with producing a knife, aggravated burglary and assault causing harm, for which he has previously pleaded guilty. O'Brien testified that Cox threatened to stab her "to pieces", kicked her twice, broke a knife, and tried to stab her again after she fled to a neighbour's flat. She said he also stabbed her twice in the leg. Neighbour Alice McGrath gave evidence that Cox threatened to kill her.
David Dunne, 40, was convicted of murdering fellow inmate Robert O'Connor, 34, at Mountjoy Prison on 29 July 2022. CCTV footage showed Dunne luring O'Connor into his cell, where he was knocked to the ground and stamped on the head repeatedly. Prison officers heard a yell and a cry of "No, no" before silence, and later saw Dunne stamp on O'Connor's head more than once. O'Connor was taken to Mater Hospital, placed on life support, and pronounced dead three days later after brain‑stem testing revealed no activity. Dunne, who had 123 convictions since 1998 and was serving a four‑and‑a‑half‑year sentence for robbery, was found guilty by a jury in less than three hours. Robert O'Connor pleaded not guilty.
A man has been convicted of manslaughter at the Central Criminal Court following a ten-week trial in connection with the death of a drug dealer in Dublin. Dean Caffrey, aged 38, of Beaucort, Achill Road, Drumcondra, was acquitted of murder but found guilty of the unlawful killing of Sean McCarthy, 28, on August 2, 2022. The jury reached their majority verdict after more than twelve hours of deliberation. The court heard that Caffrey, a cocaine and cannabis user with accumulated drug debts, allowed McCarthy to use his apartment to store drugs as part payment. On the day in question, Caffrey told gardai that McCarthy arrived agitated and armed, accusing him of theft and making threats. During a struggle, Caffrey claimed the gun discharged fatally. Following McCarthy's death, Caffrey placed the body in a wardrobe, where it remained for four days whilst he continued his daily routine. He attended work and visited his ex-girlfriend before presenting himself at Ashbourne Garda Station and directing gardai to the remains. Dean Caffrey pleaded not guilty.
Richard Satchwell, 57, will be tried in Dublin on 28 April 2025 after his lawyers successfully moved the case from Cork. Mr Justice Paul McDermott approved the application. Satchwell, a truck driver originally from Leicester, is charged with murdering his wife, Tina Satchwell, 45, at their Grattan Street home in Youghal on 20 March 2017. Tina was reported missing on 24 March 2017, and her skeletal remains were discovered in October 2023 during an excavation beneath the stairwell of the house.
Martin O'Brien, 54, of Gurrane, Tuam, was sentenced to six and a half years in prison for four counts of sexual assault against a teenage babysitter, Áine McHugh, aged 16‑17, between 2012 and 2014. O'Brien had previously pleaded guilty to sexual assault of a 10‑year‑old child when he was 13‑14, a conviction still on appeal. In the current case, McHugh described O'Brien as a "sub‑human, monster" who groomed and repeatedly assaulted her while she cared for his children, giving her alcohol and assaulting her at home and in pubs. The judge noted aggravating factors such as the abuse occurring in O'Brien's home and his position of trust, and imposed a headline sentence of nine and a half years, but ultimately imposed a six‑year term with the final six months suspended on strict conditions, including probation engagement for twelve months.
Bernard McMahon, a former manager at Hammond Lane Metal Co Ltd, claims he never used a derogatory term against a female co‑worker, saying he only spelled the word out. He told the Workplace Relations Commission that the alleged remark was not meant as harassment and that the incident was a joke. McMahon said he had been dismissed after a complaint was made that he had verbally abused the worker and called her a derogatory term. He argued that the disciplinary process was biased and that he was treated unfairly, citing a lack of proper investigation and the presence of a note‑taker. The tribunal heard evidence over several days, including McMahon's claim that the alleged remark was not used in a derogatory way, and that the company followed fair procedure. The adjudicator will issue a written decision later.
A Central Criminal Court jury has begun deliberating in the attempted murder trial of Philip Cox, a 40‑year‑old man accused of attacking his ex‑partner, Cristal O'Brien, at York Street Flats in Dublin 2. Mr Justice Tony Hunt directed the jury that to find Cox guilty they must be satisfied that an attempt to kill was made and that Cox had the intention to kill. He explained that an intention to cause serious harm or to frighten would not suffice, and that intention can arise instantly and may disappear just as quickly. O'Brien testified that Cox threatened to "stab her to pieces", broke two knives, kicked her twice in the face, and tried to stab her twice in the leg before she fled to a neighbour's flat. Alice McGrath also testified that she heard Cox say "I'm going to stab you" and "I'm going to kill you dead".
A 43‑year‑old homeless man, Liam Whelan, was convicted in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court of assault causing serious harm and robbery after he attacked a cardiologist with a champagne bottle in the victim's home on 25 August 2023. The attack left the doctor with a skull fracture, a large life‑threatening blood clot, permanent hearing loss in one ear, and a six‑month work‑inability due to seizure risk. Whelan pleaded not guilty but was found guilty by a unanimous jury in November. He claimed self‑defence, alleging the victim had assaulted him, but the court rejected this defence. The case was adjourned for sentencing, with the prosecution seeking 10‑15 years, the maximum being life imprisonment. The court considered medical reports, CCTV footage, and Whelan's 63 prior convictions in its deliberations.
The Special Criminal Court trial of six men accused of murder and violent disorder arising from a shooting at Browne's Steakhouse in Blanchardstown on December 24 last year is ongoing. David Amah, Noah Musueni, and Michael Andrecut, all of whom pleaded not guilty to the murder of Tristan Sherry, face charges following the fatal wounding of Jason Hennessy Snr by Sherry. Counsel for Amah argued he lost self-control in reaction to the horror of seeing his friend shot, rejecting prosecution claims his actions were calm. She urged the court to consider his age and lack of prior convictions. In closing submissions for Jonas Kabangu, who pleaded not guilty to violent disorder, counsel argued he returned to the scene fearing a live threat from a second gunman and could not have known Sherry was no longer a danger. The court heard pathologist evidence that Sherry died from blunt force trauma to the head. The trial was adjourned and will resume on Monday when lawyers for Brandon Hennessy and Diarmuid O'Brien, both of whom deny violent disorder, deliver their closing speeches. All accused remain on trial, with no verdicts or sentences recorded at this procedural stage.
Cristian Topiter, 39, of Dublin, appeared before the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court after being sent forward from the District Court on a signed guilty plea. He admitted to committing arson at St Michan's Church on 11 June, damaging the crypt's mummified remains, including an 800‑year‑old Crusader. Judge Orla Crowe initially set a sentencing date for 24 March but later adjourned it to 20 February. Topiter was remanded in continuing custody and requested, and was granted, to be sentenced by videolink from Cloverhill Prison.
A jury at the Central Criminal Court has paused deliberations after approximately eleven hours of consideration in the trial of Dean Caffrey, who denies murdering Sean McCarthy. The twelve jurors will resume their discussions on Monday after being unavailable tomorrow. Mr Caffrey, aged 38 and from Achill Road in Dublin, faces charges of murder in connection with the death of Mr McCarthy, a 28-year-old drug dealer. Mr McCarthy died from a single gunshot wound to the head sustained at Mr Caffrey's residence. The defence maintains Mr Caffrey acted in self-defence during a struggle, while the prosecution contends he intentionally killed his victim. Mr McCarthy's body was discovered four days after he went missing on 2 August 2022, concealed in a wardrobe at the accused's home. Mr Justice Paul McDermott has instructed the jury they must determine guilt on the charge of murder, manslaughter, or acquittal. Mr Caffrey presented himself to gardaí days after the incident and disclosed the location of the deceased's remains. Dean Caffrey pleaded not guilty.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, a 35‑year‑old man pleaded guilty to one count of child neglect after his infant daughter was found blue and shivering in a car he had left behind while intoxicated. Gardaí launched a search that involved all available officers and a helicopter, locating the vehicle at 4:55 am. The child, dressed in a babygrow, was rescued, wrapped in blankets, and taken to Temple Street Children's Hospital where her temperature was normalised. The court noted the child's full recovery and that she was placed in the care of other family members until her mother returned. The defendant's car was seized and traces of cocaine were found. The judge remanded the accused into custody, with the matter adjourned for finalisation next Tuesday. The maximum sentence available is seven years in prison or a fine.
Stephen Bedford, 38, who lives in a hostel on Merchants Quay, admitted on his trial date that he drove a car into a crowd of immigration protestors at Five Lamps Junction on 15 February 2023. He pleaded guilty to one count of driving a vehicle through a crowd, creating a substantial risk of death or serious harm. Bedford was remanded on continuing bail and will appear before the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for sentencing on 27 March next year.
A 26-year-old Dublin man will become the fourth accused to face trial for the alleged murder of Tristan Sherry at a Dublin steakhouse on Christmas Eve. Wayne Deegan, of Linnetsfield Avenue, Phibblestown, Dublin 15, pleaded not guilty to the alleged murder. His trial was previously delayed while he awaited specialist reports. Michael O'Higgins SC, representing Mr Deegan, informed the Special Criminal Court that his client is ready to proceed. Justice Kerida Naidoo set a trial date for April 28 next year and ordered that a transcript of the current trial be made available to Mr Deegan's legal team. Currently, three other men are on trial for the alleged murder of Mr Sherry: Noah Musueni, David Amah, and Michael Andrecut. Additionally, three others are accused of violent disorder arising from the same incident: Jonas Kabangu, Diarmuid O'Brien, and Brandon Hennessy. All accused have pleaded not guilty. Closing speeches are being heard this week in relation to the six individuals currently before the court. The matter regarding Mr Deegan is not yet concluded, as his trial is scheduled for next year.
Richard McGreevy, 28, pleaded guilty in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to two counts of making threats to kill or cause serious harm to Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald and Garda Commissioner Drew Harris. The threats were made on 16 July without lawful excuse, with the intent that the recipients would believe they would be carried out. McGreevy appeared via videolink from Cloverhill Prison. The judge ordered victim impact statements and remanded him in continuing custody for sentencing in March.
The Special Criminal Court trial concerning the Christmas Eve shooting at Browne's Steakhouse in Blanchardstown continues, with counsel for Noah Musueni arguing his client acted in shock and fear. Mr. Musueni, 18, is accused of murdering Tristan Sherry, who fatally shot Jason Hennessy Snr. Defence barrister Seamus Clarke SC contended that Musueni's actions, lasting 41 seconds, were an instinctive reaction to the 'unimaginable scene,' suggesting a total loss of self-control. He urged the court to find a verdict of manslaughter due to provocation, stating the prosecution failed to disprove this defence. The trial, ongoing for over a month, involves three men accused of Sherry's murder: Musueni, David Amah, and Michael Andrecut. All have pleaded not guilty. Additionally, three others, including Brandon Hennessy, are charged with violent disorder arising from the incident; they have also pleaded not guilty. Closing speeches for David Amah and the defendants charged with violent disorder are scheduled for Friday and Monday. The matter remains at the trial stage, with no final verdict or sentence delivered.
Former Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams has secured a trial date for his High Court defamation action against the BBC. Mr Adams, aged 76, alleges that the broadcaster falsely claimed he sanctioned the killing of Denis Donaldson in Glenties, County Donegal in 2006. The allegations were made in a 2016 BBC Spotlight programme and a subsequent article on the BBC website. Mr Adams denies any involvement in Mr Donaldson's death. The BBC denies defamation, contending the programme and publication were made in good faith and constituted responsible journalism following careful investigation. Mr Justice Alexander Owens fixed the case for trial on 29 April 2025 at the Four Courts in Dublin, with proceedings expected to last up to three weeks. The action follows preliminary hearings and discovery disputes that delayed the case.